MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS are delaying implementation of a clean heat program until 2028, according to a note the Healey administration quietly sent to stakeholders in late December, just days before the regulation was set to take effect.
The clean heat standard, which the Baker administration initiated in 2021, is designed to incentivize fuel suppliers and the thermal sector to adopt cleaner heating technologies like electric heat pumps to cut emissions and meet the state’s aggressive climate commitments. The standards were supposed to kick in this year.
The oil, propane, and natural gas providers would need to gradually cut their emissions each year under the program and buy credits to offset their pollution. Those costs in theory could be passed on to consumers, risking further price increases that would run counter to Gov. Maura Healey’s attempts to lower soaring energy costs as she seeks reelection this year.
“Governor Healey is focused on lowering energy costs,” Karissa Hand, a Healey spokesperson, said in a statement.” That’s why we went straight to the public to get their thoughts on the implementation of the Clean Heat Standard. We heard a clear desire to take additional time to implement these changes, let the market develop, and keep costs down.”
The memo, sent to “stakeholders” on Dec. 23, 2025, said that the administration is “working to ensure there is a robust market for affordable clean heat” and that the state will be evaluating additional data around fuel and emissions trends and heat pump adoptions. The Boston Herald was first to report on the delay.
The clean heat standard is a key part of the state’s overall climate strategy and was expected to take effect this year. The Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030, which was released in 2022, evaluated five different clean heat scenarios to identify “the most cost-effective way to meet statutory GHG emissions limits.”
Healey’s Republican opponents are already calling out the delay. Mike Kennealy, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, said Wednesday that “when you know a policy is so damaging that you have to hide it from voters, it’s clear you’re putting politics ahead of people.” Brian Shortsleeve, another Republican candidate vying to replace Healey, said the governor’s delay is the “latest cynical political ploy designed to get her through the next election.”
Last year, Healey also delayed a sales requirement for electric vehicles. And the state has had to push back offshore wind procurements as the Trump administration undermines new development in that sector.