BOSTON, MA — As Massachusetts endures one of the coldest winters in recent memory, residents are grappling with another harsh reality: monthly electricity bills that rank among the highest in the country.
Massachusetts households experience electricity costs that are sixteen percent (16%) higher than the national average, with eighty-five percent (85%) saying they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago, according to new polling from Independent Women’s New England Energy Survey.
The findings reveal deep frustration among Massachusetts women over rising energy costs, concerns about grid reliability, and growing skepticism about the tradeoffs embedded in the region’s aggressive net-zero “green energy” agenda.
Half (50%) of Bay State women believe politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of 100% renewable energy mandates.
Massachusetts has the fifth most expensive electricity prices in the country. The average monthly utility bill is $177.95—or 16% higher than the national average.
“As a Massachusetts legislator, we have a real opportunity to lower energy costs by easing unnecessary regulatory burdens on natural gas and other reliable, clean energy resources that should be fully utilized across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Ryan Fattman (Worcester and Hampden). “Instead, too many of my colleagues in Boston advanced costly mandates that raised utility bills without confronting the financial toll they are taking on our households. The price tag of Massachusetts’ net-zero policies has become exorbitant for the families we serve. I hear from constituents every day who are struggling with soaring energy bills that are pushing family budgets to the breaking point. We can pursue innovation and environmental progress, but we must also enact reforms that rein in costs and ensure energy in Massachusetts is reliable and affordable for every family.”
The Commonwealth was an early adopter of radical energy policies:
- In 2003, the state adopted a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). This has been updated several times and currently mandates 80% of the grid be powered by renewables by 2050.
- In 2007, it joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to regulate carbon emissions, despite the cap-and-trade program not delivering on this goal.
- In 2021, the state approved a law to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.
- In 2023, Mass. adopted California’s electric vehicle mandate to require all new cars sold by 2035 be electric.
- In 2026, Mass. legislature introduced S.2246 —the deceptively named Freedom to Move Act—a bill which restricts and fines drivers to limit mileage.
KEY FINDINGS
The New England Women’s Energy Survey was conducted by Wick Insights among a sample of 3,000 women who are likely 2026 general election voters across the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont—the region with the highest electricity rates in the nation.
- 91% are concerned about rising energy costs
- 85% say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago
- 50% believe Massachusetts politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition
Jennifer Nassour, Independent Women’s Network Leading Member, said: “As a Massachusetts resident, I am watching rising energy costs hit families hard, forcing tough choices between heating our homes, paying bills, and keeping our families safe. It is time for our state leaders to be held accountable and pass simple reforms that lower costs, protect households, and deliver reliable power for everyone.”
“Massachusetts is experiencing an electricity crisis, and women feel the impact of it firsthand. Adopting aggressive green energy mandates is costly and invites higher prices. Energy affordability can’t be achieved without watering down and repealing net-zero policies. If Governor Healy wants to promote affordability in Boston and beyond, she must tout reliable, abundant, and secure energy sources like natural gas and nuclear – not prioritize unreliable solar and wind,” said Gabriella Hoffman, director of Independent Women’s Center for Energy and Conservation.
Twenty-nine percent (29.7%) of female Massachusetts voters blamed rising energy costs on utility companies, and fifteen percent (15.8%) attributed them to federal policies, demonstrating a significant knowledge gap about the state policies behind rising costs.
Additionally, fifty-six percent (56.7%) of female voters in Massachusetts did not know about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a policy adopted by the state government, limiting energy diversity and a more affordable energy grid, increasing electricity prices, and reducing flexibility during periods of high demand.
“Harsh winters and soaring energy costs are putting real pressure on Massachusetts households. Residents shouldn’t be paying more to keep the lights on when there are many practical reforms Massachusetts legislators can make to drive down costs today,” said Jordanne Kemper, vice president of Independent Women’s Voice. “Lawmakers must focus on making power affordable for everyone by removing regulatory barriers preventing a diverse, affordable, and reliable clean energy grid.”
More detailed poll results can be found here.
The New England region is frequently an early adopter of policy changes that can inform or influence legislation elsewhere in the country over time. The results of this poll offer a cautionary signal for states considering New England’s energy standards.
View poll results here.
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