Democrats' latest offshore wind proposal will stick Massachusetts ratepayers with new surcharges
March 2, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Evan Lips, communications director
617-523-5005 ext. 245
WOBURN -- Massachusetts energy bills, already some of the highest in the nation, will hit ratepayer's wallets even harder if Beacon Hill Democrats get their way.

The state House of Representatives is poised to pass legislation Thursday under Democratic House Speaker Ron Mariano's leadership that even at least one fellow Democrat says "could turn ratepayers against clean energy projects," according to a State House News Service report.

The legislation (H. 4515), according to state Sen. Michael Barrett, a Democrat from Lexington, would remove a pricing cap originally put in place to protect consumers.

Westfield Republican state Rep. Kelly Pease spotted the scheme and on Wednesday submitted an amendment that would strike out the section of the wind energy legislation that would hit ratepayers with additional fees.

Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons praised Pease for sticking up for ratepayers and said the legislation is "nothing but a Democrat-sponsored money-grab" for an "artificial offshore wind industry."

"The Democrats' energy policies have already forced Massachusetts ratepayers to absorb some of the highest energy bills in the nation, and this legislation will only make it worse," Lyons said.

Paid for by the Massachusetts Republican Party
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