Here are the strong elements of House and Senate energy legislation that should be included in the final bill

High prices at the pump and rising utility bills mean that energy affordability is top of mind right now. At the same time, the recent heat dome over New England is a dire reminder that the climate crisis is only getting worse – while it drives those utility bills even higher.

There are good aspects in both the House and Senate bills. Some common elements, such as cracking down on third-party energy suppliers – which have cost consumers nearly $740 million over the last 10 years — and making it easier for the state to invest in clean energy, are great steps. What is important is where these bills differ and how they can be reconciled.

Most importantly, the Senate version preserves the Mass Save budget. Mass Save is a crucial program for achieving energy efficiency, saving consumers money, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Acadia Center estimates about $3 in economic benefits for every $1 dollar spent on Mass Save and $12 billion in consumer benefits over the lifetime of the program.

To read the full article from Commonwealth Beacon, click here.