PITTSFIELD — With roughly 50 days left in the legislative session, advocates rallied Wednesday in Pittsfield to press state lawmakers to cut ties with utility companies like Eversource, National Grid and Berkshire Gas, and pass an energy bill that "puts people over profits."

The local rally — organized by Mass Power Forward, a coalition of groups that advocate for clean energy and environmental justice — was held outside Berkshire Gas headquarters on Cheshire Road (Route 8). No legislators were present for this People Over Utility Profits rally, one of three such rallies in Massachusetts on Wednesday, with the others in Boston and Springfield.

At least 20 protesters held signs — such as “We need clean energy legislation,” “People over profits” and “Lower my energy bills" — and a number of passing drivers honked in support.

Residents also highlighted that legislators have until July 31, the end of the legislative session, to pass legislation to help make energy clean and affordable.

The State House News Service reported this week that "addressing energy affordability remains a policy goal in the Legislature, but solutions are not coming quickly or easily."

Advocates say energy companies are raking in record profits, while driving up bills for customers and not doing enough to turn to clean energy alternatives.

The House of Representatives passed an Energy Affordability Bill in February that cut the MassSave program by $1 billion. The news Service reports that senators are "still trying to develop an affordability bill," with the hope of putting legislation in front of Gov. Maura Healey to sign by the end of this session.

Rosemary Wessel, program director at No Fracked Gas in Mass, was at the Pittsfield rally. She said Massachusetts ratepayers count on MassSave to lower their energy bills.

Berkshire Gas supplies approximately 40,000 customers in 20 communities in Western Massachusetts with natural gas. It is a subsidiary of Avangrid, a multibillion-dollar energy company.

A spokesperson said the company would try to respond, but The Eagle had not received a response by deadline.

People at the rally were also calling on Berkshire Gas to commit to deploying networked geothermal systems in Pittsfield. Networked geothermal systems use underground pipes and heat pumps to move heat between the earth and multiple connected buildings, allowing homes and businesses to share a cleaner heating and cooling network rather than relying on individual fossil-fuel systems.

The machines are highly efficient and used to transfer heat, rather than generate it with burning fuel.

“I think if we can get Berkshire Gas and Eversource to start embracing the transition, we can lower electricity prices,” said Jane Winn, a Pittsfield resident and environmentalist.

Wessel was pleased with the turnout and with the reactions from people driving by.

“I see a lot of new faces, which is great,” she said. “That means people are engaging.”