Are you tired of those unexpected charges popping up on your monthly utility bills? It seems Massachusetts residents might soon have a chance to fight back against hidden fees and surcharges. Three newly proposed ballot measures aim to bring much-needed transparency and control to how utility companies bill their customers.
These initiatives, if successful, could significantly alter the landscape of utility billing in the state, putting more power in the hands of consumers and forcing companies to be more upfront about where your money is going. The core principle behind these measures is simple: you should know exactly what you're paying for.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell recently gave the green light to these measures, allowing them to proceed to the next crucial stage: gathering signatures. This is where the real work begins for supporters, who need to demonstrate widespread public support to get these issues on the 2026 ballot.
The driving force behind these initiatives is the belief that hidden fees, mandated programs, and revenue guarantees for energy companies are unfairly inflating utility bills. Proponents argue that families are being burdened with costs they never explicitly agreed to, impacting household budgets across the state.
Elijah DeSousa, founder of the Citizens Against Eversource Facebook group, has been a vocal advocate for billing transparency. He emphasizes that these measures are about respecting people's financial choices and ensuring they are not forced to subsidize programs without their consent.
The three ballot measures are identified as 25-42, 25-43, and 25-44. Each addresses a specific aspect of utility billing that supporters believe is problematic and in need of reform.
Initiative 25-42, titled "Promote Consent & Transparency," tackles a range of issues, including automatic fees for programs like electric vehicle (EV) initiatives and clean energy surcharges. The goal is to eliminate these automatic fees and require explicit consent for any charges not directly related to energy delivery.
This measure also proposes capping non-delivery charges at 5% for customers who don't actively opt-in to specific programs. Furthermore, it mandates clear, itemized bills that detail the legal authority for each charge and provide year-to-date totals, allowing customers to track their spending more effectively.
Under 25-42, the Mass Save program, which promotes energy efficiency, would remain voluntary, and utility companies would no longer be automatically required to contribute millions of dollars to state programs. This puts the onus on consumers to decide whether or not they want to participate.
Critically, this measure also prevents utilities from passing on financial losses to their customers. This is a significant change that could protect ratepayers from shouldering the burden of poor financial decisions made by utility companies.
Finally, 25-42 aims to sunset existing "decoupling" programs by July 1, 2027. Decoupling, which is addressed more directly by measure 25-43, can guarantee a certain level of revenue for utilities, regardless of actual energy consumption.
Initiative 25-44, "Guarantee Analog Meter Access & Informed Consent," focuses on consumer choice regarding meter technology. It ensures that customers can keep or request analog meters at no cost. This is particularly relevant for those who have concerns about the potential health effects or privacy implications of wireless meters.
Furthermore, 25-44 requires written consent before a utility company can install a wireless meter on a customer's property. It also prohibits charging fees or penalties, or altering service, for customers who choose to stick with analog meters. The utility companies are obligated to inform customers that wireless meters are not mandatory.
Measure 25-43 specifically targets "revenue decoupling," a practice that guarantees a certain level of income for utility companies even when energy consumption decreases. This can disincentivize energy conservation and potentially lead to higher bills for consumers.
Under this proposal, utility companies would no longer be allowed to pass on financial losses to ratepayers. As mentioned earlier, existing decoupling programs would be phased out by July 1, 2027.
For both measures 25-42 and 25-43, the Attorney General and individual consumers would have the power to enforce the law in court, providing an additional layer of accountability for utility companies.
To get these measures on the ballot, supporters face a significant challenge. They need to collect 74,574 certified voter signatures by December 3, 2025. If they fall short, they have a second chance to gather another 12,429 signatures by July 1, 2026.
With the signature-gathering phase now underway, campaign organizers are planning volunteer training sessions, petition drives, and public events across Massachusetts to raise awareness and garner support.
DeSousa emphasizes the importance of collective action, urging residents to sign the petitions and send a message to Beacon Hill (the Massachusetts State House) to stop hiding mandates in utility bills. He stresses that consumers are tired of paying for programs they did not choose.
Another advocate, Thrasher, paints a picture of a fairer system, where hidden fees are replaced with honest bills, and every Massachusetts ratepayer receives a fair deal. The campaign aims to resonate with residents from Boston to the Berkshires.
The success of these ballot measures hinges on the ability of supporters to mobilize voters and convince them that greater transparency and control over utility billing are essential. It's a David-versus-Goliath battle against powerful utility companies, but proponents are confident that they can bring about real change for Massachusetts consumers.
Ultimately, these initiatives represent a push for greater accountability and fairness in the utility sector. Whether they succeed in reaching the ballot and ultimately being approved by voters remains to be seen, but they have already sparked a crucial conversation about the need for transparency and consumer empowerment in the realm of utility billing.