Massachusetts has long been a leader in advancing smart, effective energy and environmental policies that reduce pollution, protect public health, create jobs, and lower costs for consumers over time. But lately, too many policymakers in Massachusetts are staying silent or even backtracking on proven strategies.

Policymakers are failing to push back as fossil fuel interests try to distract from the harm they cause to our environment, public health, and runaway energy costs. As fuel prices surge from the war in the Middle East and residents demand relief from their monthly bills, now is the time to deliver clean energy and energy efficiency solutions for the people of Massachusetts.

To date, forward-thinking policies have catalyzed impressive advances in clean energy, sparking new industries and new jobs across the Commonwealth. Consider how solar power has transformed our energy landscape—installations have increased so significantly that solar now generates a quarter of the state’s electricity while supporting more than 11,000 jobs.

Despite the federal administration’s recent attempts to dismantle the industry, wind energy, too, has made considerable headway. Vineyard Wind’s 30 turbines are already generating 400 megawatts of power, not only powering homes but also stabilizing our electric grid during peak demand and saving ratepayers millions by reducing our reliance on natural gas. ISO New England, the region’s electricity regulator, has highlighted offshore wind’s vital role in increasing system reliability and offsetting energy constraints—a role that will only grow if more projects can come online.

Mass Save, the state’s landmark energy efficiency program, has improved energy performance and reduced energy costs in hundreds of thousands of homes over the past decade. But despite its stellar track record, the program is at risk of deep budget cuts.

Installation of energy-efficient appliances and equipment save all electricity customers money each year by lowering overall demand and reducing reliance on costly peak power sources. Thanks to the program, energy efficiency sector jobs topped 76,000 in 2024. More than 350,000 homes have received energy efficiency upgrades, including upwards of 70,000 low-income households in the past decade.

A recent analysis found that every dollar invested in Mass Save generates approximately $3 in lifetime benefits through reduced energy costs, decreased pollution, and improved health outcomes. Now is the time to double down on the program’s benefits, not scale them back.

Massachusetts policymakers are rightfully examining every possible way to address the state’s energy affordability crisis. The data show that energy efficiency programs like Mass Save are one of the best tools we have for lowering energy costs for everyone now, and protecting communities from volatile energy prices in the long-run. The path to affordability is by leading the way on energy efficiency and clean energy. Recent efforts by the Healey administration to increase procurement of clean energy resources is one example of how Massachusetts can continue to lead.

A 2024 poll of registered voters in Massachusetts showed 75 percent of respondents support or strongly support moving towards generating heating and electricity entirely from renewable sources. The same poll showed 77 percent of registered voters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island support their state’s continuing collaboration on offshore wind development. And with federal transportation funding at risk, 59 percent of residents say Massachusetts must develop its own funding plan, with growing support for solutions like congestion pricing and alternatives to the gas tax.

While there are multiple lawsuits pending to reinstate funds Congress previously promised to our region, there’s no reason that should be our only hope of continued forward progress. State leaders have voters’ support to champion policies that cut costs and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. For example, a 2026 poll of New England voters shows the majority of voters would prefer their utility company invest in wind and solar over natural gas infrastructure. The same poll shows 76 percent of New England voters support policymakers setting a cap on the amount of profits utility companies can earn each year.

The advances we’ve seen to date were made possible because Massachusetts policymakers recognized our changing climate as both an urgent challenge facing our communities and an enormous opportunity for our economy and future.

Crucially, policymakers understood that the people most impacted are best positioned to define the solutions that will work in their communities. What’s needed now is the political courage and creative financing to advance the next generation of clean energy policies. And with statewide collaboration, we can ensure that the benefits of the most effective solutions reach every community across the Commonwealth.

The headwinds are real, but they can either amplify our fears or motivate our courage. State policymakers have the tools and authority to keep us moving forward. Let’s defend what we know is working, and champion the next generation of bold, creative policies that the people of Massachusetts want their leaders to deliver.

This article originally published in the opinion section of Commonwealth Beacon on April 28, 2026.