Massachusetts Governor Outlines Plan to Reduce Energy Costs

Healey's executive order aims to diversify state's energy supply and develop 10 GW of new resources by 2035.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:33pm

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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed an executive order outlining a plan to lower energy bills for residents and businesses across the state. The directive sets a target for Healey's administration to develop 10 gigawatts (GW) of new energy resources by 2035, including 4 GW of new in-state solar and 3.5 GW of energy efficiency and demand management strategies. Healey's office says these actions will save an estimated $10 billion.

Why it matters

With electricity consumption predicted to rise significantly in Massachusetts over the next two decades, Healey's plan aims to diversify the state's energy supply and reduce reliance on imported natural gas in order to bring down costs for consumers. The governor's 'all-of-the-above' approach includes expanding solar, wind, nuclear, and fusion energy, as well as improving energy storage and delivery.

The details

Healey's executive order requires state agencies to pursue a range of new energy sources, including solar, wind, gas, nuclear, and hydropower. The 10 GW target includes 4 GW of new in-state solar and 3.5 GW of new electric demand reduction through energy efficiency, virtual power plants, and electric vehicle charging management. The state will also be looking into ways to store and deliver natural gas more efficiently to reduce reliance on imported liquefied natural gas.

  • Healey signed the executive order on March 17, 2026.
  • The administration's 10 GW energy target is set to be achieved by 2035.

The players

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts who signed the executive order aimed at lowering energy costs in the state.

Brian Shortsleeve

A Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor who blames Healey for high energy costs in the state, claiming she 'killed two natural gas pipelines'.

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What they’re saying

“I believe in an all-of-the-above approach to energy — that means solar, wind, gas, nuclear and hydro. In Massachusetts, we are saying yes to more supply from more sources of energy. We are saying yes to American jobs and American energy independence. And we are saying yes to lowering energy bills for all.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (WPRI.com)

“We've got power going through the grid that isn't being used during different parts of the day during non-peak times. Imagine we could store some of that power and have it available for times when we really need it.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (WPRI.com)

What’s next

The Healey administration will be ramping up solar projects, expanding opportunities for wind, nuclear power and fusion energy, and looking into ways to store and deliver natural gas more efficiently to reduce the state's reliance on imported liquefied natural gas.

The takeaway

Governor Healey's comprehensive energy plan aims to diversify Massachusetts' energy supply, increase in-state renewable generation, and improve energy efficiency and storage in order to significantly lower electricity costs for residents and businesses across the state.