New England governors seek regional electricity reforms
Five New England governors are calling for reforms to the regional electricity system that they say are needed to achieve their states’ respective goals for clean, affordable, and reliable electricity.
Specifically, in a joint statement, the governors said they are seeking changes to the regional electricity market design, transmission planning process, and the governance of the ISO-New England, which is the independent system operator for the New England power system.
“Here in Rhode Island, we’re committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing our future. I’m proud that we’re on track to achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2030,” Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said. “In order to meet our shared clean energy goals and aggressively combat climate change, it’s clear we need to take a regional approach.”
Along with Raimondo, the statement was also signed by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.
“To meet to our Administration’s goal of net zero emissions in Massachusetts by 2050, the Commonwealth needs a regional electricity system that can support the delivery of clean, affordable, and reliable energy to residents and businesses,” Baker said. “My administration looks forward to working with our partner states, ISO-New England and stakeholders to build a more transparent, modern and cost-effective power system that will allow New England states to meet our ambitious climate change and clean energy goals while creating a better future for our residents.”
The coalition of governors will release a “vision document” this month, which outlines specific areas for reform. It will be released through the nonprofit New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE).
“When Connecticut deregulated our electricity sector, we were promised competition, lower risk for ratepayers, more affordable electricity, and a system that respects and accommodates our clean energy mandates,” Lamont said. “What we got is a system that has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid and imposed burdensome costs on Connecticut ratepayers to fix market design failures.”
National Grid, an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, said it welcomed the governors’ push for more thoughtful energy planning as it also works toward decarbonization for its customers.
“We’ve set our sights on net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and laid out a plan to achieve it,” National Grid said.
The company noted that it will play a significant role in developing cohesive transmission planning for the region. “National Grid is installing technologies across its transmission network that are designed to more easily integrate clean sources of energy, while enhancing the resilience and reliability of the system.”
“National Grid will continue to work with stakeholders on potential improvements to the competitive wholesale markets, with the goal of finding the most cost-effective and efficient path forward for supporting the clean energy resource investments required to achieve the decarbonization goals of the region.”
In the coming months, the states will convene open forums to ensure that all interested stakeholders have an opportunity to participate and comment on the shared vision document.
“It is far past time that New England reforms how its electric grid is managed,” Mills said. “The wholesale electricity markets must advance and support clean energy laws and policies, as the states demand decarbonization and markets and consumers support more renewables. ISO-New England must keep pace with state priorities, and it must be more transparent and accountable in its decision making, broadening its focus to include consumer and environment concerns as well as reliability and cost.”
