Thousands of households in Massachusetts will see some energy relief this winter thanks to a new executive order from Gov. Maura Healey.
Healey on Oct. 5 announced that she is expanding eligibility for home heating assistance and removing charges from electric bills. She also announced a “state of energy emergency” designed to protect against price gouging of petroleum products.
“Families are seeing the impact of the war in Iran every time they fill up their gas tank, place an order for heating oil or open their electric bill. I’m declaring a State of Energy Emergency because in Massachusetts, we are going to use every tool we have to get people relief,” Healey said in a statement. “We’re delivering nearly $150 million in savings, including helping middle class families who didn’t previously qualify for assistance and taking charges off of electric bills for households and businesses across Massachusetts.”
According to the governor’s office, the cost of heating oil is 70% higher this winter than last: $6.08 per gallon this year compared with $3.52 last year. About 20% of Massachusetts households rely on heating oil, particularly older homes and those in rural communities.
Healey’s announcement comes after she filed legislation to temporarily suspend Massachusetts’ gas tax. Here’s what to know about the new savings.
Who will save under Healey’s energy plan?
Healey said her plan will lower energy bills for 85% of ratepayers through various means.
Expanded home heating oil assistance
Massachusetts is creating a new home heating oil assistance benefit for heating oil-using households earning between 60% and 100% of the state medium income, or between $103,049 and $171,749 for a family of four. The state expects 50,000 households that were previously above the income threshold to qualify for heating assistance and receive up to $680. The assistance will be available from December to April.
Heat on Cape Cod: Heating oil costs just hit their highest level in years. Winter is still months away.
Increased HEAP benefits
Massachusetts will provide an extra $15 million in winter heating assistance for 156,000 low-income households in the state. Currently, the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program provides $525 to $1,200 to those households – under Healey’s plan, households that heat with oil will receive a 20% increase in assistance, while households that heat with utilities will receive a 15% increase.
Healey also sent a letter to Congress urging that it provide an additional $3 billion in emergency funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Icicles grow on a pair of electric meters outside the Barnstable Post Office and the sun brings a bit of melting after Winter Storm Fern.
Photo taken on Jan. 28, 2026
Cut charges on electric bills
The state will cut or reduce charges from the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program and the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard from all electric bills for a couple months. Healey said cutting those charges will save Massachusetts electric customers $100 million.
Emergency Winter Warmth Fund
The state is partnering with Citizens Energy Corporation to create a new emergency winter warmth fund to provide additional help to families.
Residents can see more details about all the programs at www.mass.gov/heatinghelp and citizensenergy.com/warmth.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Who gets help under Massachusetts’ new winter energy relief plan?
