Green Newton

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM)is concerned a recent action by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) may delay the shift to a clean energy future. The Department issued an order (15-37) that would allow our electric utilities to purchase new gas pipeline capacity with electric ratepayer money. Such a subsidy for building new pipelines could open the door not only to the Kinder Morgan Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline, but also the Spectra Access Northeast project. With natural gas already at 50% of our energy supply, two large new pipeline projects would likely make gas our default electric fuel for decades to come. Whatever the benefits of gas, evidence shows that gas-fired power plants will not get us to our goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — the goal set by the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act.

ELM is working with their Global Warming Solutions Project partners to support an “Energy Resources Plan” that would diversify our energy portfolio and meet our climate goals. As aging coal and oil units come offline, we can replace those power plants with renewable energy sources, and also unlock substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in our buildings with new electric heating options and in our transportation with electric vehicles.

ELM looks forward to working with Governor Baker and the Legislature to ensure that we can comply with our law and make the shift to renewable energy resources.