The following is an urgent message from Mothers Out Front, January 6th. It is a comprehensive toolkit for action.
A Critical Moment for House Climate Policy
In November, the Massachusetts House leadership put forward what they called an energy affordability package (H.4744) that rolls back years of climate policies and our state’s clean energy goals. The immediate outcry from constituents and the unity of voices among advocate organizations paused the fast-tracked bill. Now, we need to pass truly transformative policies that build a clean, affordable future.
This week we are writing to our state representatives, urging them to advocate with colleagues who are part of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee where the bill is being rewritten. Our message is that we need real action on out-of-control energy costs, not legislation that raises costs for consumers and prolongs dependence on expensive fossil fuels. Your letter will link to a document that identifies false solutions in H.4744 and identifies positive proposals in other bills before the legislature.
STEP #1 Find Your Representative
You will write an email to your State Representative (Find Your Rep here). Please check to see whether your Representative is on the House Ways and Means Committee. If they are, please use these instructions for committee members. If they are not, please use the instructions below.
STEP #2 Personalize the prepared message
Please use the sample below to send an email to your Representative. Personalize your message with one or two sentences about who you are and why you care. For example, you can write about:
- your own high utility bills and the impact that it has on your family budget
- ways that Mass Save programs have helped your household
- the impact of climate change on your or family members’ health or on community well-being
- your community’s goals for addressing climate change
Add your short personalization in the first paragraph of the email
Sample Email:
Sample Subject: Please Ask Ways and Means to Lower Bills and Promote Climate Policies
CC: Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov, Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov
BCC: ma.action.call@mothersoutfront.org
Dear Representative _____________,
I am a constituent from [YOUR TOWN] and a [ADD PERSONAL DETAILS HERE]. I am deeply concerned about the affordability of energy and about climate change. I’m writing to ask you to speak with House leadership and your colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee about the energy bill to make sure it controls energy costs and slows the climate emergency. The previous version of H.4744 would lead to higher costs for residents and to long-term limits on our ability to decarbonize our energy.
The utilities are currently expanding both the electric and gas energy systems at great cost to ratepayers. While we need to expand and modernize the electric system to support the transition to renewable energy, we cannot afford to also expand the gas system. The burden of increased energy costs is hardest for those who can least afford it, at a time when the costs of housing, food and medical insurance are skyrocketing.
We must stop the costly expansion of gas pipelines, strengthen Mass Save to reduce our energy use, and increase access to clean energy. Please share these priorities with Ways and Means colleagues to support their work on the House energy bill. The document cites sections of bills both supported and opposed by Mothers Out Front based on the priorities of Mass Power Forward.
Thank you for your commitment to the clean energy future our families need.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
STEP #3 Share with your networks
Post on social media, or send an email to your neighbors and your friends across the Commonwealth with a link to this toolkit: tinyurl.com/MOFActJan2026. Or forward the follow-up email you will receive from us later with links to the recording, slides and toolkit. Let your people know how simple it is to send an email. If they want to learn more about legislation affecting energy affordability, the Resources section below provides accessible articles and details.
RESOURCES
Here is information on false solutions in the Cusack energy bill, H.4744 and positive provisions that address energy affordability in other bills before the Legislature:
- Proposed legislation would have net-effect of dismantling Massachusetts’ climate leadership and nation-leading energy efficiency programs – Acadia Center analysis of the bill immediately after its release
- Mass Power Forward Priorities with details including sections of bills that Mothers Out Front supports or opposes
- Efficient electric equipment, powered by clean sources, is the answer to the energy affordability crunch Commonwealth Beacon letter from Sierra Club director, Vick Mohanka
- Article on the Liberty Gas rate case in which the gas company is asking the DPU to approve a 55% rate increase including a 9.9% return on investment.
General information on the gas utilities:
- Paying More for Less – A study by the Future of Heat Initiative showing that gas companies in Massachusetts are profiting from pipe replacement with 24% of delivery costs going to their profits and financing investments. This is a project led by former DPU chair, Jamie Van Nostrand.
- Mass. gas customers spending billions on new pipes the state plans to abandon – Coverage by WCVB of the GSEP program costs effect on ratepayers
- As State House weighed controversial climate bill, campaign donations poured in from gas-industry-related companies – Boston Globe article about the influence of utilities and their lobbyists on legislation
- Natural gas prices are low, but your monthly gas bill is up. Here’s why – NPR coverage of costs of gas; MA customers could see the gas pipeline replacement surcharge decrease as much as 17% because of many customers switching to heat pumps.