Massachusetts to cut gas and electric bills in February and March, Gov. Healey says

Gov. Maura Healey said electricity bills will be reduced by 25% and gas bills by 10% for February and March, and that the $180 million cost will come from existing state funds; National Grid will implement targeted winter relief that includes temporary deferrals customers will pay back later.

Gov. Maura Healey previewed a plan to lower energy costs in Massachusetts ahead of her State of the Commonwealth address. She said the state will immediately cut electricity bills by 25 percent and gas bills by 10 percent for February and March. The governor said the reductions will cost $180 million and will be paid from existing funding sources. The announcement followed her recent re-election bid announcement and more details are expected during her speech. Key details: - Electricity reductions of 25 percent and gas reductions of 10 percent are planned for February and March. - The governor said the state will cover $180 million in costs using existing funding sources. - National Grid said it is implementing a targeted winter relief effort that will lower bills for February and March. Gas customers can expect about $27 in savings each month and electric customers about $60 a month for those two months. - The utility described its reductions as deferrals; customers are expected to repay some or all of the deferred amounts later in the year. - National Grid plans to collect deferred gas amounts gradually from May through October and to collect part of deferred electric amounts from April through December. The article reports that the remainder of the 25-percent cut is covered by Healey's plan. Summary: The announced measures are intended to provide temporary relief from winter energy costs for two months while involving a mix of state funding and utility bill deferrals. More information about the governor's plan is expected during the State of the Commonwealth address; specific implementation details and timelines are being reported by officials and the utility.