daily · Energy Policy

Massachusetts orders winter heating assistance and temporary electric-bill relief

An October 5 executive order creates a middle-income heating-oil benefit, directs additional HEAP funding and targets selected electric-bill charges. It does not cut every bill by half.

By Greener Numbers Editorial Team · Published October 8, 2026 · Updated 10/8/2026

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued Executive Order 659 on October 5, 2026, declaring an energy emergency and directing winter heating assistance and electric-bill relief. This is an October 5 action reported here on October 8, not a newly issued October 8 order.

The order directs a one-time emergency heating benefit for households earning between 60 and 100 percent of state median income and relying on heating oil. It also directs state agencies to identify alternative compliance payment funds to supplement the existing Home Energy Assistance Program. These directives do not establish that every household qualifies or has already received a payment.

The October 5 state announcement says approximately 50,000 heating-oil households are expected to qualify for the new benefit, with up to $680 per household. It says assistance will be available beginning in December through April 30, 2027, or until funding lasts. Those are announced program limits, not a universal payment promise.

The order directs funding to eliminate the distributed solar charge associated with the SMART program for at least three months of the winter heating season. It separately directs a 50 percent reduction in ratepayer costs attributable to Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard requirements this winter. The 50 percent figure concerns that component, not an across-the-board halving of electricity bills.

The order also requires reviews of net-metering compensation and in-state generator carbon requirements. Reviews are not final changes to compensation or environmental rules. The order remains in effect until April 30, 2027 unless amended, superseded or revoked.

The state's October 5 release cites average heating oil of $6.08 per gallon as of September 28, compared with $3.52 a year earlier. That dated figure is not a current dealer quote.

Official source: mass.gov ↗