As Energy Bills Climb, Governor Healey Takes a New Approach — and Some Climate Supporters Are Upset

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey used to promise to be the toughest climate leader in the country. But as energy bills have climbed steeply for families across the state, she has started supporting some projects she once opposed — including a natural gas pipeline. This change has surprised and upset some of the environmental groups that used to strongly support her. The shift raises big questions about how leaders balance protecting the planet with keeping energy affordable.

The change in Healey's approach became clear on a single day in early October. That morning, she visited an elementary school in East Boston and praised a clean energy project. But less than an hour later, her office sent a statement asking the Trump administration to speed up approval of a natural gas pipeline expansion. Those two messages sent very different signals about her priorities.

Healey now talks about an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy — meaning she wants to use many different energy sources at once. This includes both clean energy like wind and solar power, and fossil fuels like natural gas. She says this is necessary because electricity and heating bills have become very expensive for people in Massachusetts. A 2025 report found that electricity costs in the state went up more than 20 percent in just three years, rising to nearly double the national average.

When Healey was the state's attorney general, she actually bragged about blocking natural gas pipeline projects. She argued that building more gas lines would slow down the move to clean energy. But now, she is supporting a $300 million pipeline expansion in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. During a debate in October, she said she has 'never been against gas,' explaining that her past opposition was about protecting consumers from paying for expensive new pipelines — not about gas itself.

Some energy experts say they understand why Healey has changed her approach. Catherine Wolfram, an energy economics professor at MIT, said getting more natural gas to Massachusetts helps the state survive cold winters when energy runs short. She also noted that clean energy projects take a long time to build, so they won't lower people's bills right away. 'Clean energy will help us break the dependence on these volatile fossil fuels, but it's going to take a while for clean energy projects to get built and for relief to show up,' Wolfram said.

Still, longtime climate supporters feel let down by Healey's new direction. Kyle Murray, who leads a clean energy group called the Acadia Center, said climate issues have become less of a priority in Massachusetts politics. Vick Mohanka, director of the Sierra Club's Massachusetts chapter, said Healey once understood that investing in old, polluting energy was a bad idea — but now she is asking for more pipelines. These critics worry that short-term thinking could hurt long-term climate progress.

Healey has pointed to real accomplishments on clean energy during her time as governor. She signed a major climate law in 2024 to help Massachusetts reach zero emissions by 2050. Her administration appointed the state's first-ever climate chief and put money into offshore wind projects. Supporters say these efforts show she still cares about the environment, even if her approach has changed.

However, several of those clean energy plans have run into problems. Healey delayed rules that would require more electric vehicle sales in the state. A program to encourage cleaner home heating was pushed back until 2028. She also redirected hundreds of millions of dollars that normally go to local clean energy projects, using the money instead to help lower residents' heating and electric bills.

Her Republican opponent, Michael Minogue, has attacked her over the high cost of living and wants to eliminate the state's goal of wiping out fossil fuel pollution by 2050. Healey says Minogue would 'kill wind' and 'kill solar' energy by following former President Trump's agenda. The debate between the two candidates shows how much energy costs have become a central issue in this year's governor's race.

The debate over energy in Massachusetts is also being shaped by forces outside the state. The Trump administration has cut federal money for clean energy programs. Inflation has stayed high, and oil prices have surged because of a war involving Iran. All of these pressures make it harder for any governor to stick to big climate goals while also keeping energy affordable for everyday families.