![]() ![]() The proposals promise billions of dollars in investments, call for dramatic expansion of grid capacity and technology upgrades, and outline plans to engage lower-income residents and communities of color in the ongoing process. To some degree, this move is already underway: At the end of January, electric utilities filed state-mandated Electric System Modernization Plans that propose upgrades, investments, and programs to accommodate increased load on the grid over the next 10 years. The transition from gas, however, makes communication between the two essential: The electric side will need to do extensive planning to make sure it is ready to deal with surging demand as buildings transition from gas heat to electric heat pumps. Though the gas and electric companies are legally allowed to share information and ideas, it is unclear how often they do so, Rabin said. While the two providers often have the same name and corporate parent - National Grid or Eversource, for example - the gas and electric sides of the business are run as separate companies, with distinct leadership, decision-making, and regulatory requirements. Perhaps the most pressing question, advocates said, is the issue of coordination between electric and gas utilities. Utility companies, the legislature, and state regulators still have to lay out concrete strategies for translating the ideas in the order into meaningful change, advocates said. “I think that’s the first time in this country that such a standard has been applied.” ![]() “The most amazing part – and the part that I never thought I would see – is it’s actually saying we as a state need to reduce our emissions and you as a public utility need to be an active part of this,” says Amy Boyd Rabin, vice president of policy for the Environmental League of Massachusetts. It also calls for gas and electric utilities to coordinate their planning and requires policies to ensure the transition doesn’t financially burden lower-income residents. Released by the Department of Public Utilities, the document sets an explicit policy goal of transitioning from natural gas and rejects utilities’ proposal to integrate renewable natural gas as a route to decarbonization. The order tops off a three-year investigation into how gas utilities can help Massachusetts achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. “It’s an opening statement in the huge conversation Massachusetts needs to have about truly reducing the footprint of the gas system in the state.” Michael Barrett, chair of the joint telecommunications, utilities, and energy committee. “The order poses the questions, but doesn’t answer them for the most part,” said state Sen. 6 decision is light on specifics, instead laying out broad, guiding principles that stakeholders will need to convert into policy. While hailed as a transformational win by clean energy advocates, the Dec. Massachusetts utilities, regulators, and lawmakers are beginning to chart their next steps following an order issued two months ago that signaled the beginning of the end of natural gas in the state. ![]()
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