Governor Maura Healey, who has announced that she will be seeking reelection in 2026, recently signed the Affordable Homes Act, planning to build or preserve 65,000 homes in Massachusetts over the next five years. A lack of affordable housing is certainly a problem, and the reasons for the dearth of housing are numerous, but the increasing cost of living in Massachusetts is also a major problem.

I suggest the voters of Massachusetts ask the governor to become equally passionate about reducing the housing related energy costs for everyone living in Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents pay upwards of 34 cents per KWH for electricity, which is more than double the average rate in the U.S. These high costs impact not only residents, but also any businesses that use electricity, resulting in higher costs for anything produced or purveyed in the state.

A recent state negotiation with utility companies resulted in a 25 to 42 percent rate reduction on gas and electric expenses for low-income households. This is laudable, but who will be paying for this subsidy and what does this mean for the increasingly high rates levied on those rate-payers who are unsubsidized? Our energy rates should not become a wealth redistribution scheme. We should demand a specific and realistic detailed plan from Gov. Healey and our other elected leaders to make Massachusetts energy competitive with other states and for all residents.

William Hamer

South Deerfield