MA Utilities Push Clean Energy Plans

Our country is in dire need of grid modernization. Because we have to act now to push back against high energy prices and climate change. That’s why the MA DPU recently approved Energy Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs) by Eversource and National Grid. But what are these plans about and how can they help the state reach its 2050 clean energy goals? Let’s explore why these clean energy plans have been approved.
Why Utility Clean Energy Plans?
Our country relies too much on natural gas. As a result, we are susceptible to a volatile energy market. In addition, natural gas leads to climate change and more frequent severe weather outages. In short, the current system has to change.
The National Council of State Legislatures estimates that modernizing the US grid by 2030 will cost up to $2 trillion. And that’s JUST to maintain grid reliability. To counter this problem, MA passed a law in December 2022 requiring the state reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To reach that goal, Eversource and National Grid submitted ESMPs focused on lowering costs and improving the grid.
Clean Energy Roadmap
As you can guess, grid modernization takes time. The MA DPU has worked with both Eversource and National Grid to develop and improve their grid plans. In their current form, these ESMPs outline five and ten-year roadmaps to protect the MA grid and empower customers. Plus, they will also help break the state’s dependence on natural gas to make electricity.
What’s In The Utility Energy Plans?
The Eversource ESMP will invest $4.5 billion in operations over five years starting in 2025. They will also invest $1 billion in clean energy enablement. The utility will use investments to adopt new technology to make service safer and more reliable. By 2034, Eversource hopes their investments will support 2.5 million EVs and 1 million heat pumps across their MA service territory. Best of all, they project that investments will enable 2.2 GW of new solar capacity.
SImilarly, the National Grid ESMP invests in heat pump technology and electrification. Over five years, this ESMP could enable nearly 500k more EVs on the roads as well as allowing for nearly 4k more clean energy jobs. In addition, their ESMP could support an incremental 3 gigawatts of solar and energy storage.
How Customers Can Shop Cheapest Rates
Eversource and National Grid ESMPs could cut energy prices in MA using green power in the next few years. But for now, both utilities basic service relies on high-priced power from natural gas fueled generators. Luckily, MA consumers can shop for better energy deals.
For example, customers can shop the Green Mountain Energy Pollution Free Reliable Rate plan. At just 15 cents per kWh, customer can lock in this price for 12 months. Plus, this rate beats both basic service offers from Eversource (15.772 cents per kWh) and National Grid (16.055 cents per kWh).
And there’s other plans to check out. You can keep finding the best savings by shopping for energy plans right here at https://www.maenergyratings.com. You can also visit us for the news that affect your bills.
One thought on “MA DPU Approves Utilities’ Clean Energy Plans”
Clean Sky Energy is a rip off. Contract expired on Nov 21 2024; they are trying to bill me for Oct 23 – Nov 21 at .2899 kWh not at the contract rate of .149 adding $80 to the bill.