Cut Carbon with Wind Power

Smart energy shopping in MA is more than just comparing current electricity rates. Especially for households that want to do help combat climate change. But a recently signed law has put MA on the road to cut greenhouse gas emissions with wind power. So let’s see how MA could cut carbon with Maine wind farms.
New Clean Energy Act
The Boston Globe discusses recently signed “Act driving clean energy and offshore wind”. The act, H 5060, pushes state-wide decarbonization by building more wind farms. Specifically, the new law bolsters the offshore wind industry by removing the price bidding cap and offering tax incentives. The National Law Review states up to $35,000,000 could go for a tax incentive program. The law also quietly allows MA to join other New England states to bid on renewable energy projects. And that includes wind farms planned for northern Maine.
But as the Globe points out, the new bidding arrangement with other New England states seems a tad…convenient to some parties. So, is this seeming convenience – to borrow the language of H 5060, “necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience”?
Proposed Maine Wind Farms
According to the Globe, Maine Senate President Troy Jackson sponsored a 2021 law to build wind farms in Aroostook County, which he represents. That’s in the far north along the Canadian border. The area is so remote that ISO NE doesn’t include it on its power dispatch map. But, how to get the power out of the far north to the rest of New England?
Well, there’s an old saying in the wind farm business: “If you build it, they will come.” And several well-represented transmission companies are lining up for the opportunity to cash in.
Maine Wind Farm Benefits
So how does this help MA electricity customers? How could it affect electricity rates?
Many energy customers are cautious about green energy plans because of the cost. And developing new wind farms would have an initial upfront cost. However, once these farms exist and are delivering power to MA, it could make renewable energy plans more affordable down the line.
It is important to note that the bill does not require that MA joins in on a bidding competition. This is important because bids will only go towards projects that are cost-effective for ratepayers.
Best of all, moving away from natural gas electricity generation could help prevent rate hikes caused by external issues including pipeline constraints. Especially when you consider that EIA analysis places natural gas as 38% of US electricity generation. And if MA can shift more towards wind power, then it makes a strong push to meet the state’s decarbonization goals.
In short, wind farm generation may make green energy cheaper and will reduce carbon gas emissions.
MA’s Push For Carbon Reduction
The bill and provision offers a lot of promise of combating climate change. With Maine’s wind farms, MA could see better green energy prices and cleaner air. You can keep up with the news that affects your bills at https://www.maenergyratings.com. You can also shop for great plans and find ways to save money on lower electricity rates.