New lower municipal aggregation electricity rate coming this fall

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that when the current electricity supply agreement expires with the Community Choice Power Supply Program in November 2025, a new agreement with a lower fixed rate of 13.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will commence and remain in effect through November of 2028. 

The newly secured supply rate of 13.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1.2 cents less than the current rate of 15.1 cents per kWh, and reflects an anticipated average savings of 7 dollars per month, or 84 dollars annually, assuming an average household usage of 600 kWh per month. 

Since its inception in November 2020, the Town of Franklin has successfully saved Franklin residents and small businesses an estimated $16.7 million in electricity costs by securing a fixed supply rate through the Community Choice Power Supply Program. State law allows the town to partake in aggregate energy supply pricing in an effort to secure more competitive rates than what is offered through basic National Grid supply service. 

 

“In this challenging fiscal climate, the Town of Franklin is pleased to offer some financial relief to our residents and small businesses through continued participation in the Community Choice Power Supply Program,” stated Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. 

In addition to its cost saving benefits, the Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program also promotes the Town’s commitment to lowering carbon emissions. The energy supplied through the new contract meets Massachusetts’ renewable energy requirements at 63% renewable (69% in 2026); and, for the first time, Franklin residents will also have the option to utilize energy that is 100% renewable and locally sourced at a rate of 16.6 cents per kWh. While its rate is 1.5 cents per kWh higher than the current contracted rate, this local option accomplishes a goal of the recently approved 2025 town-wide Master Plan.

“As a Certified Green Community since 2018, Franklin is committed to further reducing its carbon footprint, and this program allows us to do so through the use of renewable energy” commented Jamie Hellen. “We are excited to provide residents and ratepayers with the option to source 100% of their renewable energy locally, which has been implemented as part of the Town’s Master Plan and in response to community feedback.”

This contract does not prohibit any resident or small business from procuring their own electricity distribution separately. 

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program is an electricity aggregation program that allows a municipality to purchase electricity in bulk on behalf of its residential and small business customers. The goal of municipal aggregation is to stabilize energy costs, deliver savings to ratepayers, reduce the community’s carbon footprint, and enhance local control in its energy purchasing. Currently, 8,492 meters are enrolled in the program and Franklin ratepayers have saved a combined 16.7 million dollars as of December 2024. 

Residents and business owners who are already enrolled in Franklin’s Community Choice Power Supply Program will be automatically re-enrolled in the program with the Town’s standard product at the new rate of 13.9 cents per kWh, and will receive an informational postcard from Colonial Power Group thirty days before the new rates take effect. The postcard will include the name and contact information of the new supplier, instructions on how to select the locally sourced energy product at a rate of 16.6 cents per kWh instead of the Town’s standard product, how to opt-out of the program, and other important details.

Residents and business owners that are not enrolled will need to opt into the program if interested in participating.  To opt into the program with our current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services, at the rate of 15.1 cents per kWh, call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 or visit https://colonialpowergroup.com/franklin/. Enrolled participants will be automatically re-enrolled with the new supplier and rates when the agreement takes effect later this year.  Anyone who wishes to opt into the program after the new agreement commences will need to visit the

Town’s Municipal Aggregation Website or contact the Town Administration Office at (508) 520-4949 for more information.

https://colonialpowergroup.com/franklin-documents/

There are no fees for enrollment or cancellation.  However, residents and business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid at (800) 322-3223 to have the block removed in order to participate in this program. Additionally, anyone already locked into an existing contract with another third-party supplier is advised to verify the contract terms before switching, as they may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier.

Residents and ratepayers seeking enrollment status are advised to contact Colonial Power Group at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 or colonialpowergroup.com/franklin. 

Learn more about the Town of Franklin’s Community Choice Power Supply Program at https://www.franklinma.gov/163/Municipal-Aggregation.

Franklin Secures Lower Electricity Rate for Franklin Residents

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that when the current electricity supply agreement expires with the Community Choice Power Supply Program in November 2025, a new agreement with a lower fixed rate of 13.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will commence and remain in effect through November of 2028. 

The newly secured supply rate of 13.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1.2 cents less than the current rate of 15.1 cents per kWh, and reflects an anticipated average savings of 7 dollars per month, or 84 dollars annually, assuming an average household usage of 600 kWh per month. 

Since its inception in November 2020, the Town of Franklin has successfully saved Franklin residents and small businesses an estimated $16.7 million in electricity costs by securing a fixed supply rate through the Community Choice Power Supply Program. State law allows the town to partake in aggregate energy supply pricing in an effort to secure more competitive rates than what is offered through basic National Grid supply service. 

 

“In this challenging fiscal climate, the Town of Franklin is pleased to offer some financial relief to our residents and small businesses through continued participation in the Community Choice Power Supply Program,” stated Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. 

In addition to its cost saving benefits, the Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program also promotes the Town’s commitment to lowering carbon emissions. The energy supplied through the new contract meets Massachusetts’ renewable energy requirements at 63% renewable (69% in 2026); and, for the first time, Franklin residents will also have the option to utilize energy that is 100% renewable and locally sourced at a rate of 16.6 cents per kWh. While its rate is 1.5 cents per kWh higher than the current contracted rate, this local option accomplishes a goal of the recently approved 2025 townwide Master Plan.

“As a Certified Green Community since 2018, Franklin is committed to further reducing its carbon footprint, and this program allows us to do so through the use of renewable energy” commented Jamie Hellen. “We are excited to provide residents and ratepayers with the option to source 100% of their renewable energy locally, which has been implemented as part of the Town’s Master Plan and in response to community feedback.”

This contract does not prohibit any resident or small business from procuring their own electricity distribution seperately. 

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program is an electricity aggregation program that allows a municipality to purchase electricity in bulk on behalf of its residential and small business customers. The goal of municipal aggregation is to stabilize energy costs, deliver savings to ratepayers, reduce the community’s carbon footprint, and enhance local control in its energy purchasing. Currently, 8,492 meters are enrolled in the program and Franklin ratepayers have saved a combined 16.7 million dollars as of December 2024. 

Residents and business owners who are already enrolled in Franklin’s Community Choice Power Supply Program will be automatically re-enrolled in the program with the Town’s standard product at the new rate of 13.9 cents per kWh, and will receive an informational postcard from Colonial Power Group thirty days before the new rates take effect. The postcard will include the name and contact information of the new supplier, instructions on how to select the locally sourced energy product at a rate of 16.6 cents per kWh instead of the Town’s standard product, how to opt-out of the program, and other important details.

Residents and business owners that are not enrolled will need to opt into the program if interested in participating.  To opt into the program with our current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services, at the rate of 15.1 cents per kWh, call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 or visit https://colonialpowergroup.com/franklin/. Enrolled participants will be automatically re-enrolled with the new supplier and rates when the agreement takes effect later this year.  Anyone who wishes to opt into the program after the new agreement commences will need to visit the

Town’s Municipal Aggregation Website or contact the Town Administration Office at (508) 520-4949 for more information.

There are no fees for enrollment or cancellation.  However, residents and business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid at (800) 322-3223 to have the block removed in order to participate in this program. Additionally, anyone already locked into an existing contract with another third-party supplier is advised to verify the contract terms before switching, as they may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier.

https://colonialpowergroup.com/franklin-documents/

Residents and ratepayers seeking enrollment status are advised to contact Colonial Power Group at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 or colonialpowergroup.com/franklin. 

Learn more about the Town of Franklin’s Community Choice Power Supply Program at https://www.franklinma.gov/163/Municipal-Aggregation.

MA Energy Environment schedules Advance Transmission Technologies forum July 17

via MA Energy Environment

"We have a great lineup for the Federal & Regional Energy Affairs Office's Advanced Transmission Technologies forum on July 17th! 

Industry experts from @ISONewEngland, @NationalGridMA, and @EversourceMA will discuss the integration of ATTs* in NE. 

Register: https://t.co/bNc18nFr3K  or   https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y_iVDXMnThKRoGKaQEtnRQ#/registration

 

Shared from -> https://t.co/P5FlVwIuLk

*ATT = Advanced Transmission Technologies

CommonWealth Beacon: "Big electricity shift coming: Are we ready?"

"THE LONG-AWAITED electrification of the New England economy is starting to happen.

From 1995 to 2005, the demand for electricity produced by the region’s power grid steadily increased, growing nearly 21 percent as the New England economy expanded and homeowners and businesses installed air conditioning units at a rapid clip.

From 2005 until 2023, however, demand for power from the grid slid 16 percent. Modest growth in electricity consumption was more than offset by growth in energy efficiency savings and solar installations, both of which reduced demand for power from the grid.

Now, according to a new study by grid operator ISO New England, the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction. Demand for power from the grid is expected to grow by more than 17 percent over the next 10 years, as electrification of vehicles and home heating drives up consumption, more than offsetting growth in energy efficiency and solar installations."

Continue reading the article online -> 

https://commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/big-electricity-shift-coming-are-we-ready/

Download the ISO New England report directly from here ->

https://www.iso-ne.com/system-planning/system-plans-studies/celt/

CommonWealth Beacon: "Big electricity shift coming: Are we ready?"

Finance Committee takes a 'deep dive' (sorta) into the Faculties budget (video)

The Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4WDEAYIeJU

6 members participated, 4 in Chambers (Chair Conley, Hamilton, Riley & Nagel), 2 participated remotely (Keophannga & Sansoucy)

Quick recap:

• State revenue forecast for FY 2024 not meeting expectation, no cuts yet per Governor, does likely mean less revenue for next years budget although local aid is usually one of the last to get affected, something to stay tuned into
• Budget hearings for May 2024 were confirmed as May 6 for General Government, May 8 for Public safety (Police, Fire, & Dispatch) and DPW (water, sewer, storm water) and Schools on May 15. Proposed meeting calendar to be updated with this decision
• Discussion on the list of facilities provided, yes it is facilities not just the buildings
• Extended discussion on the solar farm which we don't own but for which we own the electrical output and which leads to credits on the Town electrical bill that are used for multiple other electrical improvements, upgrades
• This turned into a discussion on the heating efficiencies of some buildings; FHS for example was built with better insulation and the walls are R40, vs. the 3 middle school complex buildings are rated R19. This means the heating cots for those buildings are higher due to the less efficient (i.e. insulation factors)
• While mentioned in passing that the Master Plan Committee has a subcommittee on facilities, and the Schools are working on their long range comprehensive facilities plan, there was not further details added at this time. Members of the School Committee and Central office were present but did not get to provide any additional info
• The 10 year projection of expenses across the buildings was split evenly between Town and School per Chair Conley. It was not discussed how these expenses would be funded. It was mentioned that the Facilities budget is the first to get hit when a budget shortfall is needed to be adjusted for. Projects get postponed until funding is available (hence the listing of projects that exists, some of which have been awaiting for some time)
• Discussion on the 10 year report of grants received by the Town and Schools. These made for interesting reading although some of them are not purely "grants" (i.e. the cable access fees are included, they are present due to the accounting for them). One quick takeaway from the grant report is that the Town has been quite successful over time in obtaining grants and while they will continue to do so, the grant amounts are not sufficient to really make on impact on either the Town or School budget. Averaging approximately 4 million (combined Town & School) on a $150M budget is small change

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vn59WoX94X8yvI0CFWCqw1X6A9m5ePjd/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for meeting Dec 13, 2023

Electric heat costs way less than reports say, new data suggests | Technology | The Guardian

"Each year, the federal Energy Information Agency publishes a winter fuels outlook, forecasting how much households using different fuels will pay for heat from November through March. This year, it says heating-oil customers will face the steepest costs, at $1,856; followed by propane users, at $1,337; electricity users, at $1,063; and finally gas users, at just $605.

But that number doesn’t distinguish between older electric-resistance appliances, such as electric baseboard heaters and electric space heaters – which are much more expensive to run – and highly efficient electric heat pumps.

“Both run on electricity, but they’re fundamentally different machines,” said Wael Kanj, a research associate at Rewiring America. “It’s like averaging the top speed of a Power Wheels [toy car] and a Tesla.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/26/electric-heat-costs-way-less-than-reports-say-new-data-suggests

Electric heat costs way less than reports say, new data suggests | Technology | The Guardian

Boston Globe: "Boston’s plan to ban fossil fuels in new buildings goes up in smoke"

"Wu’s decision not to apply for the program came as a surprise to environmental advocates and legislators who have been trying to move the state away from heating and cooling new structures with fossil fuels. Constructing buildings that are only powered by electricity is considered among the low-hanging fruit of plans to decarbonize. Buildings account for roughly 70 percent of Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The decision marks an abrupt departure from the mayor’s recent statements, delivered in press conferences and radio interviews, that the city intended to participate in the program and lead by example.

Wu said, “it breaks my heart,” but that the city was not applying for the state program because it appears it was not actually intended for a city as complex as Boston, with its large population and already-strained electric grid. She said she had gotten “clear indications that Boston would not be chosen for the one available spot.”

Maria Hardiman, a spokesperson for the state Department of Energy Resources, said the challenge for Boston is that it’s “electrically similar” — meaning the age of the infrastructure and demands on the system are comparable — to several other cities or towns that have already been selected for the program, including Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and Arlington. Those similarities “would have presented a challenge in the selection process” because the pilot program is aimed at getting data from a diverse group of communities."

Continue reading the article online ->    https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/13/science/boston-will-not-apply-to-ban-fossil-fuels/

Shared from Sabrina Shankman (@shankman)->    https://twitter.com/shankman/status/1723830814788518112

Boston Globe: "Boston’s plan to ban fossil fuels in new buildings goes up in smoke"

Save money by finding home energy waste! Get a "Kill A Watt Monitor" from the Franklin Library "Library of Things" collection

Do you know where the energy hogs in your home are? 

Did you know that the Franklin Public Library, in addition to lending books and media, also lends “things”? 

Their library of things includes items such as games, electronic devices, kitchen appliances, a telescope, and more; it also includes an electrical power monitor named “Kill A Watt”. The Kill A Watt power monitor is a small, portable device which can plug into a power outlet, and then monitors the electric power usage of anything which is plugged into it. 

The following testimonial was written by David Rittenhouse in October 2023, and can be found on the EnergizeFranklin.org Testimonials page :

“I use a dehumidifier in my basement. Because it uses a compressor, it uses significant electricity while running. I found this out by borrowing a Kill A Watt Monitor from the Franklin Public Library "Library of Things" collection. 

There are two major ways to use it: 1) Press the "Watt" button to find out real-time usage (in this case about 500 watts) when the unit is on; 2) use the KWH or killawatt hour button to see how much energy is used over time. The library lets you borrow this device for 3 weeks. 

I ran my humidifier for 2 weeks and doubled the KWH to get a rough energy usage per month. I bought a new dehumidifier and will be saving electricity and using it year-round, now that it rarely needs to come on during the heating season to keep humidity at a healthy level below 60%. (Please note that the Franklin Library only has a partial list of things on their website, and at the time of writing did not include the TOOLS KILL A WATT MONITOR.) 

My old dehumidifier was 20+ years old. My next project will be to see how much electricity my 20+ year old refrigerator uses.”

For more information on this and other energy-saving ideas, please visit EnergizeFranklin.org !

borrowing a Kill A Watt Monitor from the Franklin Public Library "Library of Things" collection

MCEC: Request for Information - Neighborhood Electrification

MassCEC seeks information and input on neighborhood electrification

View this email in your browser Request for Information: Neighborhood Electrification MassCEC seeks to gauge interest and get input into potential neighborhood electrification demonstration projects. For purposes of this Request for Information, "neighborhood electrification" is the strategic electrification of the building stock and decommissioning of the natural gas system in defined geographic areas —such as street segments, neighborhoods, or zones — that leverage opportunities where electrification could be more cost-effective than reinvestment in the gas system (e.g., pipeline repair). This RFI does not commit MassCEC to offer any program associated with neighborhood electrification, award any funds, pay any costs incurred in preparing a response, or procure or contract for services or supplies.  MassCEC welcomes responses from all stakeholders. In particular, we are hoping to gather perspectives from utilities, municipalities, large landowners (e.g., universities or affordable housing owners), technical experts, legal/regulatory experts, community-based organizations, and advocacy organizations. Thank you for your time and insights! Learn More & Provide Input Copyright (C) 2023 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. All rights reserved. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center 294 Washington St. Suite 1150 Boston, MA 02108 USA

Town of Franklin's Municipal Aggregation Program Update

This is a reminder that the Town of Franklin's new 24-month contract with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and renewable electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services will commence in November.  The new fixed rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hours (kWh) and is slated to begin with the November 2023 meter reads and end with the November 2025 meter reads. The change will be reflected in ratepayers' December 2023 bill.

Municipal Aggregation Program

Residents and business owners who are currently enrolled in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program will be automatically enrolled in the program when the new contract takes effect in November, and will not need to take any action to continue to participate. Also note, anyone currently enrolled should have received a postcard from the Town of Franklin c/o Colonial Power in early October containing information about the new rate + term along with a notice regarding automatic enrollment.  A link to the postcard is also available here. 

Residents and business owners who are not currently enrolled in the program will need to Opt In if interested in participating. Opt In instructions are available on the Municipal Aggregation webpage, and also included in a Public Notice which was recently released by Colonial Power Group, and linked here.  

If you would like to confirm if you are currently enrolled, simply look at your electric bill under "Supply Services".  If Dynegy Energy Services is named as your Supplier, you are enrolled with the Town's Municipal Aggregation Program. Or, call Dynegy directly at (866) 220-5696.

All consumers are able to opt in or opt out at any time and as often as desired. There are no fees for enrollment or cancelation, however, anyone with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid to request that the block be removed to participate in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply program, and anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. 

Please refer to the following resources for more detailed information:

• August 25, 2023 dated blog on the Town website titled "Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program",
• The Town's Municipal Aggregation webpage and FAQs
• Public Notice released by Colonial Power Group
• Postcard from the Town of Franklin c/o Colonial Power

For questions regarding billing or enrollment status, residents and business owners must contact Dynegy Energy Services directly by calling (866) 220-5696 or by visiting colonialpowergroup.com/franklin.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-franklins-municipal-aggregation-program-update

Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program

Program has saved ratepayers an estimated $11.5 million over three years.

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program (also referred to as Municipal Aggregation) has successfully saved ratepayers an estimated 11.5 million dollars in electricity costs throughout the previous three-year contract. In an effort to continue to stabilize electricity costs and lower carbon emissions, Franklin has signed a new 24-month contract with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and renewable electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services to continue to manage and supply its electricity program for all residents in Franklin. 

Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program

The new fixed rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hours (kWh); which is an increase of $.043 cents per kWh over the current rate of 10.7 cents per kWh and is slated to begin with the November 2023 meter reads and end with the November 2025 meter reads. The change will be reflected in ratepayers' December 2023 bill.

Consumers actively enrolled in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program will receive a postcard. It contains information regarding the new rate + term along with a notice regarding automatic enrollment. Check your mailbox for a postcard from the Town of Franklin c/o Colonial Power, which will be mailed (to existing participating Consumers only) late September 2023.

"In these challenging fiscal times, this new contract represents a continued commitment to help stabilize electricity bills for ratepayers during this period of high inflation for all residents and small businesses," said Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator. "Also, as a certified Green Community, I know many Franklin residents are concerned about our carbon footprint. This electricity program has allowed us to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease our carbon emissions by securing a contract that relies on 100% wind renewable energy."

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program, is an electricity aggregation program that allows a municipality to purchase electricity in bulk on behalf of its residential and small business customers. The goal of municipal aggregation is to stabilize energy costs, achieve more affordable pricing and deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service, reduce the community's carbon footprint, and enhance local control in its energy purchasing. To date 10,260 meters are participating in the program and Franklin ratepayers have saved a combined $11.5 million through March 31, 2023. 

Franklin Community Choice Program customers currently enrolled in the program will not need to re-enroll or do anything to continue to participate. Residents and business owners are eligible to opt-in or opt-out of the program at will, and those currently not enrolled in the program will need to enroll if interested in participating. There are no fees for enrollment or cancellation, however, residents and business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid to request that the block be removed to participate in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply program, and anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching. 

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

As a Green Community since 2018, the Town of Franklin aims to help displace fossil fuel generation and consumption. The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program aligns well with the community's renewable energy program, which utilizes 100% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

For questions regarding billing or enrollment status, residents and business owners must contact Dynegy Energy Services directly by calling (866) 220-5696 or by visiting colonialpowergroup.com/franklin.

Learn more about the Town of Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program at www.franklinma.gov/MunicipalAg.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-secures-stable-electricity-rate-through-renewal-utility-relief-program

CommonWealth Magazine: jury greenlights transmission line; Boston combines library branches and affordable housing

Maine jury delivers hydro relief for Mass

"BAY STATE and many New England policymakers breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday after a jury in Maine voted 9-0 to green light the completion of a Massachusetts-financed transmission line carrying hydroelectricity from Quebec into New England.

The transmission line and the power it will carry are of pivotal importance if Massachusetts is going to reach its climate change goals, but the project has been in legal limbo since 2021 when 59 percent of Maine voters approved a ballot question that retroactively killed it."

Continue reading the article online ->
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/maine-jury-delivers-hydro-relief-for-mass/

Boston pitches libraries, affordable housing as perfect match

"In three Boston neighborhoods, home could soon be where the stacks are.

The city is set to join a handful of other places that combine public libraries with affordable housing, a popular pairing that addresses increasingly pricey housing markets and limited land for new development."

Continue reading the article online ->
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/boston-pitches-libraries-affordable-housing-as-perfect-match-2/

 

The Fields Corner branch of the Boston Public Library. (Photo by Michael Jonas)

From CommonWealth Magazine - climate points of view: waterfront resilience & decarbonization roadmap gaps

"Waterfront resilience is ground zero in climate fight

Nature-based solutions lend themselves to resiliency strategies" 

"GOV. MAURA HEALEY’S recent appointment of the Commonwealth’s first cabinet level climate chief –Melissa Hoffer, joining from the Environmental Protection Agency – reflects the new administration’s belief that resiliency is a priority issue that spans public health, equity, the economy, and environmental sustainability.

With key federal, state, and local players committed to rapidly advancing our efforts to address climate change, Massachusetts has both the scientific prowess and innovative spirit to be a global leader in addressing this critical issue.  We also have an influx of new federal dollars, including funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  and the Inflation Reduction Act, available to municipalities, states, and community-based organizations to fund resiliency efforts."

Vikki Spruill is President and CEO of the New England Aquarium.

Continue reading the article online ->   https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/waterfront-resilience-my-be-overwhelming-but-not-unmanageable/

"Decarbonization road map has some gaping holes

Power reliability and cost need to be addressed"

"GOV. MAURA HEALEY has gotten off to a good running start on implementing the Commonwealth’s plans to combat climate change by establishing an Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience within the governor’s office and appointing a climate chief. The state’s long range climate change plans are embodied in the “Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Road Map,” which aims to reduce Massachusetts greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent of the 1990 baseline by 2050 and  achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, through a near-total reliance on renewable energy sources and battery storage for electricity.

If implemented, the plan will require a huge transformation of the electricity generation sector, shifting away from reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels to generate electricity and instead relying on solar and wind sources.  It would also require 100 percent electrification of building space and water heating and a massive increase in the number of electric vehicles, among other initiatives."

Arnold R. Wallenstein is an attorney who represents independent power producers in Massachusetts and other states. He is on the board of advisers of a solar photovoltaic company and is the principal member of the EnergyLawGroup.org in Boston.

Continue reading the article online ->    https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/decarbonization-road-map-has-some-gaping-holes/

From CommonWealth Magazine - climate points of view: waterfront resilience & decarbonization roadmap gaps

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass.-financed power line from Quebec clears another NextEra hurdle"

"THE COMPANY seeking to build a Massachusetts-financed transmission line carrying hydro-electricity from Quebec to Maine cleared another hurdle on its comeback trail when federal regulators dismissed objections raised by the nuclear power plant Seabrook Station.

In a 52-page ruling, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled on Wednesday that Seabrook must upgrade a circuit breaker at the nuclear power plant to accommodate hydro-electricity expected to come into the region from Canada.

FERC also ruled that Seabook’s owner, NextEra, can only charge Avangrid, the company building the power line, for the cost of replacing the circuit breaker and not for “opportunity costs” of $560,000 a day or legal fees.

Avangrid and NextEra are big competitors in the New England energy market and have been battling each other for years on a variety of fronts."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/mass-financed-power-line-from-quebec-clears-another-nextera-hurdle/

 

This has been a thread in our ongoing series Making Sense of Climate ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html

Seabrook Station

The Codcast: "Lawmakers walk tightrope on wind power contracts" (audio)

"The Legislature’s energy experts say it makes sense to penalize CommonWealth Wind and Mayflower Wind if they default on their recently approved power purchase contracts, but the lawmakers don’t want the penalties to include a ban on participation in an upcoming offshore wind procurement.

The House and Senate chairs of the Legislature’s Utilities, Telecommunications, and Energy Committee say the state needs to walk a fine line between penalizing the companies but not penalizing itself. "

Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Magazine 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/podcast/lawmakers-walk-tightrope-on-wind-power-contracts/

Listen to the podcast episode here -> https://on.soundcloud.com/qsmnM

CommonWealth Magazine · Lawmakers walk tightrope on wind power contracts

Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington (left) and Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin, the chairs of Legislature's Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee.

Department of Public Utilities Approves New Wave of Grid Modernization Investments

"The Department of Public Utilities last month approved plans from the state’s three largest electric utilities to invest more than $450 million to modernize grid technologies from 2022 through 2025.

Under the three-year plans, the electric distributors will expand grid monitoring, communication and automation technologies to increase the safety and reliability of the Massachusetts electric power system, state officials said.

NSTAR Electric, National Grid and Unitil had each filed their grid modernization plans last year."

Continue reading the article at Mass Municipal Association ->

https://www.mma.org/dpu-approves-electric-grid-modernization-plans/ 

The DPU website has additional information

https://www.mass.gov/news/department-of-public-utilities-approves-new-wave-of-grid-modernization-investments

Department of Public Utilities Approves New Wave of Grid Modernization Investments

Now that the Climate bill was signed, what's next? State Rep Jeff Roy joins Ted & I to answer that question and more (audio)

FM #859 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 859 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, October 3, 2022.  

We are joined by our special guest, MA State Representative Jeff Roy. The last time Jeff was with us (August) we were all waiting for the governor to take action on the recent climate legislation. It had worked its way through the MA House & Senate, the Conference Committee, back through both the MA House & Senate and sat on Governor Baker’s desk until he did sign it.

In this episode our conversation covered the following topics: 

• legislation passed, signed, now what's next

• electric rate, municipal aggregation, home electricity monitoring

• Site visits; White House, Schneider Electric, Andover; Millstone Nuclear Plant in CT

• MassSave options

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 53 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and State Rep Jeff Roy.

Audio file ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-858-ma-state-representative-jeff-roy-10-04-22

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Mass Save to sign up for an energy audit -> https://www.masssave.com/ 

White House visit -  https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1570067557687738370 

Millstone Nuclear plant visit ->https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1576180037132292096   

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030