Governor Healey’s Energy Affordability Actions Underscore Need to Build on Solar’s Proven Benefits 

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued an executive order on October 6, declaring an energy emergency in the state and announcing actions intended to provide relief to ratepayers. In previous orders, letters, and legislation, the administration has rightly identified community power— distributed energy resources like local solar and battery storage— as a vital part of the Commonwealth’s strategy for creating local reliability while cutting peak demand costs and improving energy affordability. To provide lasting savings and benefits for ratepayers, the administration must continue to invest in making Massachusetts a leader in local solar by centering solar’s proven value in any cost-saving measures.

A recent Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources study shows that solar is already delivering significant financial benefits to the Commonwealth, generating $11.5 billion in ratepayer benefits through a $7.7 billion investment in the SMART program, delivering $600 million in benefits in 2025 alone. As Massachusetts doubles down on ensuring energy affordability, these results make clear that community power should be the cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s energy policies. 

With the energy affordability bill, lawmakers can build on these benefits and expand access to cost-effective clean energy resources. As the Conference Committee works to reconcile the House and Senate bills, lawmakers have an opportunity to advance policies that can deliver greater savings, resilience, and reliability across the Commonwealth. 

Vote Solar’s Senior Northeast Regional Director, Elena Weissmann, issued the following statement: 

“Local solar has continued to be a proven solution to meeting energy demands in Massachusetts, and it should play an important role in advancing the administration’s affordability and reliability goals. The DOER study shows what solar is already delivering: billions of ratepayer savings before even considering the lower emissions, cleaner air, and a more resilient grid that come with solar. During just one of the hottest weeks of the summer, solar saved New England ratepayers as much as $149 million in wholesale electricity costs alone— further proving the value of local solar when energy demand is at its peak.

“Our coalition knows solar can deliver even more, which is why sustained investment in a program with consistent returns on investment is so important. The Conference Committee can act swiftly to cut unnecessary costs and remove barriers that make solar more expensive to build and connect, while expanding access to local solar and storage where they’re needed most. Massachusetts urgently needs relief, and delivering it will require steadfast leadership to ensure we invest in proven resources that lower costs, strengthen the grid, and deliver lasting benefits to communities.”