Boston, MA - The MassGOP responded to news that Governor Maura Healey sent a letter to the state Department of Public Utilities urging her own commissioner to “act immediately to provide rate relief to customers in this heating season.”

Consumers are bearing the burden of skyrocketing energy bills, a result of Gov. Healey’s mismanagement of Massachusetts’ energy crisis.

Historically, Massachusetts’ energy grid was supported by an array of contributory sources, including coal- and gas-fired plants, natural gas pipelines, and nuclear centers. Together, this diverse energy portfolio kept Massachusetts residents warm during our notoriously cold winters for an affordable cost.

Unfortunately, just like every other product in the Commonwealth under Governor Maura Healey’s administration, energy bills are soaring to new heights. According to the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, 88% of New England’s energy is sourced from nuclear and natural gas. In 2019, the last remaining nuclear plant in Massachusetts closed down for good, taking away 14% of the grid’s portfolio. Meanwhile, Gov. Healey has celebrated her blocking of new pipelines as attorney general.

f the current administration wants to move towards clean energy at all costs, it will fall on taxpayers to foot the mammoth bill.

Eversource’s preparations for the transition to renewable energy have resulted in a 30% increase in gas delivery costs since last year, according to the company. Alternative renewable energy sources like geothermal have been unprofitable, as seen in National Grid’s decision to end its pilot program in Lowell.

MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale commented on the rising heating costs this winter:

“Investing in clean energy at the exclusion of traditional energy sources exacerbates the problem of unaffordable energy bills. Governor Healey should instead prioritize the needs of the people rather special interests on Beacon Hill,” Carnevale said.