New panel to help state meet renewable energy targets

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey this week announced the creation of a new panel tasked with guiding the state’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The Energy Transition Advisory Board is comprised of representatives from trade unions, business, finance and environmental justice organizations, as well as utilities, building owners and developers.

The board will advise the newly established Office of Energy Transition, which is charged with economically and responsibly accelerating the state’s transition from gas to electricity and preparing the power grid to meet the state’s climate and clean energy requirements.

The office has already announced three of its top goals: transitioning away from the Everett Marine Terminal liquefied natural gas facility, decarbonizing how the state meets peak electricity demand, and establishing alternative mechanisms to finance the transition to clean energy.

Massachusetts has set a goal of a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

The Healey administration says the best way to achieve these goals will be to electrify buildings and transportation using new, clean energy sources.

The mission of the Office of Energy Transition is to ensure that the energy grid is expanded in an affordable manner, that the country makes steady progress in transitioning away from fossil fuels, and that workers and businesses dependent on fossil fuels are supported during the transition.

“A clean energy future will not happen if we operate in silos,” Healey said in a written statement. “The Office of Energy Transition and this newly formed Advisory Council are an invitation to all affected stakeholders to come to the table, present solutions, and make real commitments that will allow us to move forward.”

The announcement follows last week’s approval by the Massachusetts Senate of a bill to boost renewable energy use that will help Massachusetts meet its climate goals, including achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Supporters of the proposal say it would help lower utility bills by requiring utilities to offer reduced rates to low- and moderate-income consumers and give the state more flexibility in negotiating contracts with suppliers.

The bill would also ban “competitive electricity suppliers” that have cost Massachusetts consumers more than $577 million over the past eight years, according to a report by the state attorney general’s office.

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