Deputy secretary outlines state energy reforms, consumer protections and steps to curb rising bills

At an online meeting of the Environmental Justice Council, the deputy secretary presented a sweeping review of state energy policy and proposed reforms intended to limit rising electricity and gas costs and strengthen customer protections.

The presenter told the council that transmission upgrades, aging infrastructure and global market pressures have been major drivers of higher bills and outlined measures to stabilize prices by bringing more clean energy online, accelerating interconnection and tightening administrative inefficiencies. "We have identified several consumer protection violations and have applied fines of $5,000 and sought customer refunds," the deputy secretary said, describing both enforcement actions and pending legislative changes.

The presentation reviewed existing discount and energy‑efficiency programs that target low‑ and moderate‑income customers, including the state’s Mass Save initiatives, and explained proposals to improve access, clarify eligibility and reduce administrative overhead. The deputy secretary said reforms would also increase the Department of Public Utilities' authority to order direct restitution to affected customers and to license or restrict deceptive marketing practices.

Council members asked how reforms would affect delivery and distribution charges. The deputy secretary said the proposed changes are largely prospective — they would apply to future contracts and practices — and stressed that comprehensive distribution planning and demand‑management programs are intended to limit the need for costly new transmission projects. The presenter also advocated for accelerating interconnection for distributed resources and pilot programs to reduce reliance on gas.

The council did not take a formal vote on the legislation or on implementation details during the meeting. Council members flagged several follow‑up issues staff should provide, including more detail on how reforms would be phased in for multifamily housing and what consumer outreach would look like for non‑English speakers.

The meeting closed with staff noting further discussions and the possibility of additional briefings at the council’s February session.