Lowering the peak cuts costs for everyone.

Mass Save lowers energy bills, even for those who never participate. The electric grid is built to meet demand during the highest-demand hours of the year, often during extreme heat or cold. When peaks are higher, utilities must invest in more infrastructure like bigger power lines and substations, costs that are passed on to all customers. During New England’s January 2026 cold snap, efficiency reduced peak demand by over 9%, generating over $1M in savings in one hour. 

Mass Save avoids these costs by reducing how much electricity buildings use, particularly during the highest-cost hours on the grid. By lowering peak demand, Mass Save: 

• Extends the life of existing infrastructure, avoiding billions in new spending  

• Reduces reliance on expensive “peaker” power plants  

• Limits the need for new transmission and distribution investments  

These system-wide impacts translate directly into savings. From 2016 to 2024, energy efficiency investments saved Massachusetts utility customers $16.1B on energy and grid expenses, or roughly $700 per customer per year. Without these programs, electric demand would be 27.7% higher, driving tens of billions of dollars in new infrastructure costs and higher bills.  

Reforms can strengthen the program.

Governor Healey’s proposed reforms within her energy affordability package include opportunities to improve program delivery while maintaining its core benefits: 

• Remove gas utilities as program administrators 

• Align program goals with building decarbonization 

• Create a one-stop shop educating customers about all offerings 

• Use competitive procurements and statewide contracts to centralize vendor services

The proposal would also allow utilities to issue rate reduction bonds, which would: 

• Spread utility program costs over time 

• Lower financing costs

• Reduce near-term spikes on customers’ bills