FAMILIES slammed with surprise fees on their monthly bills could soon get some relief under three newly certified ballot measures.
Three new ballot initiatives aim to make bills clearer and give consumers real choices.
Massachusetts voters could soon see three ballot measures aimed at cutting hidden utility fees (stock)[/caption]
Supporters say the initiatives will increase billing transparency (stock)[/caption]
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell signed off on the measures on Wednesday, clearing them for the next step toward the 2026 ballot.
A grassroots coalition says hidden charges and automatic surcharges are driving up costs.
“Families are tired of paying for programs and surcharges they never agreed to,” Eliseu (Elijah) DeSousa, founder of the Citizens Against Eversource Facebook group, told Fall River Reporter.
“These initiatives respect people’s budgets and their choices,” he added.
The measures, numbered 25-42, 25-43, and 25-44, will now head into the signature-gathering phase.
Supporters must collect 74,574 certified voter signatures by December 3, 2025.
Lawmakers would then have until May 2026 to act.
If they fail, supporters must collect another 12,429 names by July 1, 2026, to place the measures on the November 2026 ballot.
Each proposal zeroes in on what supporters say are the real drivers of ballooning utility bills: mandated fees, political programs, and revenue guarantees for energy companies.
Measure 25-42 would require written consent before utilities add charges unrelated to energy delivery.
It would end automatic fees like the Electric Vehicle program and clean energy surcharges.
Non-delivery charges would be capped at 5 percent for customers who do not opt in.
Bills would show itemized charges, legal authority, and year-to-date totals for each surcharge.
Mass Save would remain voluntary, and utilities would no longer be forced to contribute millions automatically to state programs.
The Three Proposed Laws
25-42 — Promote Consent & Transparency
- Utilities must get written consent for charges not tied to energy delivery.
- End automatic fees like EV program and clean energy surcharges.
- Cap non-delivery charges at 5% for non-opt-in customers.
- Clear, itemized bills showing legal authority and year-to-date totals.
- Mass Save remains voluntary; no automatic utility contributions to state programs.
25-43 — End Revenue Decoupling
- Utilities cannot pass on losses to customers.
- Existing decoupling programs end by July 1, 2027.
- Both the Attorney General and consumers can enforce the law in court.
25-44 — Guarantee Analog Meter Access & Informed Consent
- Customers can keep or request analog meters at no cost.
- Written consent required before installing wireless meters.
- No fees, penalties, or service changes for choosing analog.
- Utilities must notify customers that wireless meters are not mandatory.
Measure 25-43 targets “revenue decoupling,” which guarantees utility income even when usage drops.
Utilities could no longer pass losses onto ratepayers, and existing programs would end by July 1, 2027.
The Attorney General and consumers could enforce the law in court.
Measure 25-44 protects analog meter access and requires consent before installing wireless meters.
No fees or penalties could be charged for choosing analog meters, and companies must notify customers that wireless meters are not mandatory.
Campaigners will now organize volunteer trainings, petition drives, and public events across the state.
DeSousa said, “We are done paying for programs we did not choose. Sign with us, put these questions on the ballot, and tell Beacon Hill to stop hiding mandates in our utility bills.”
Thrasher added, “From Boston to the Berkshires, we will replace hidden fees with honest bills and deliver a fair deal for every Massachusetts ratepayer.”
