In response to a sudden spike in utility costs, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced a plan to eventually cut billions of dollars from ratepayers’ bills and send everyone a $50 credit in the interim.

Speaking Monday in Lowell, Gov. Maura Healey said that her administration is well aware of the concerns of residents and that she will answer them by offering some immediate relief and a plan to lower energy costs long term.

“Around the country, people have seen their heating bills go through the roof. Families are feeling it, businesses are feeling it, all around the country. I’m proud to be here today to tell you that we’re taking action as a state,” Healey said.

As a result of that action, Bay State customers of Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil can expect to see a $50 credit on their April utility bills. The funds to cover the $125 million required to issue such a credit, according to the governor’s office, come from clean energy programs that “the state has determined” can still achieve their goals without that money.

The administration has also “called on” the Department of Public Utilities and the state’s gas companies “to act immediately to provide relief and avoid future rate shocks,” according to the governor’s office, and Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty, and Berkshire Gas customers can expect to see a 10% reduction in their March and April gas bills as a consequence.

Healey has directed the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper to go through the list of additional fees charged to utility companies to remove those that no longer fulfill their intended purpose.

“The governor told us that she wanted us to look under every stone and find every possibility of where to find money for customers,” Tepper said.

According to the governor, her plan will save ratepayers $220 million right away and $5.8 billion over five years.

This is a developing story.