Lexington’s Senator Barrett moves Massachusetts’ climate policies forward

Columnist Gerry Yurkevicz writes news and analysis about the transition to green energy

Under the Trump administration, it may be “drill, baby, drill,” but in Massachusetts, it is full throttle ahead with the energy transition with the signing of An Act Promoting A Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayers, a sweeping climate bill signed into law in November. The legislation hopes to empower the state’s fight against climate change and accelerate progress towards the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telco, Utilities, and Energy as well as a member of the Commission on Energy Infrastructure, Siting and Permitting, drove the difficult process to get this legislation passed. The Lexington Observer first sat down with Senator Barrett in June 2024 as the act was poised to be passed: it took 5 more months of negotiations to finally make it to Governor Healey’s desk. 

The new climate bill addresses issues such as siting and permitting, natural gas access, electric vehicles, and Massport. The act makes over 100 changes to multiple sections of energy law. The impact of the bill is likely down the road as state departments write and implement complex new regulations over the next few years. The end game for Lexington is a grid to support electrification and a lower carbon future, together with reasonable energy and utility bills. 

The most significant change from the act is to consolidate reviews of clean energy siting and permitting, which will speed the pace of planning, construction, and bring solar, wind, storage, as well as electric grid infrastructure online more quickly. According to Senator Barrett, “the new act allows Massachusetts to install the necessary wires, poles, and substations — those sprawling, ugly-looking but essential collections of gray boxes and transformers you see everywhere.” The act requires the state take action on large projects that support renewable generation within 15 months; cities and towns will need to take action on smaller projects under their jurisdictions within 12 months. 

Many regulatory organizations will have to get in line to help meet these new benchmarks. The act also contains a number of provisions to enhance community involvement so cities and towns do not get steamrolled by the expedited permitting processes: some towns in western Massachusetts are especially concerned that their voice will be heard on large solar and battery storage projects. Eversource and National Grid both supported the siting and permitting provisions of the act. This acceleration helps quicken capital spending for distribution, transmission, and utility-owned solar and battery storage, supporting earnings growth goals.

Reasonable electric rates and bills are important to residents and voters. The state cannot accelerate spending on the electric side without putting upward pressure on electric bills. “We cannot swamp the household budget and turn monthly electric bills into a giant-sized headache for families,” Senator Barrett said. “Importantly, the law aims to offset the future cost of new electric construction by decreasing the future cost of other things. One way to do this is to change state laws that give a special advantage to natural gas as a source of heat.” 

The act also takes initial steps into curbing utility spending on natural gas infrastructure, directing regulators to (1) lessen a gas-utility’s obligation to meet a customer’s request for new gas service by examining non-gas alternatives; (2) consider repair or retirement options as well as pipe replacement for utility reliability and safety programs; and (3) weigh climate considerations against gas utility requests to expand service territories. National Grid, Lexington’s natural gas utility, did not respond to requests for comment on how the act might impact existing gas service or new service requests by residents. 

Utilities are of course critical to the act’s success: both Eversource (Lexington’s electric utility) and National Grid have sizable natural gas as well as electric utility businesses. From 2024-28, Eversource estimates that it will spend $5.4 billion on natural gas distribution companies and $16.0 billion for electric distribution and transmission across its multi-state service territories. From 2025-29, National Grid expects to spend $34.2 billion across its US electric and natural gas businesses. The obvious long-term solution: allow utilities to spend more on the electric side while reducing their fossil-fuel related spending. In our interview, Senator Barrett acknowledged that the act represents a first step to curb gas-spending. He agreed that there could be a larger “grand bargain” down the road to nudge utilities to spend more on the electric side while curbing gas. Mandates to ban natural gas have a mixed record and are now driven by the political divide in the US. Expect the Trump administration to push back on measures to curtail fossil fuel use. 

The act provides a bit of nudge for utilities by allowing gas companies to sell or distribute (and of course to spend capital on) utility-scale non-emitting thermal energy. Both Eversource and National Grid have ongoing networked geothermal pilots in Framingham, Boston, and Lowell; Lexington is also studying geothermal feasibility.

Curbing natural gas related spending will not be easy. Gas utility labor unions present one obstacle. Unionized gas utility workers (as well as fuel oil company workers) are skilled and dedicated, especially during emergencies. They are well paid with substantial benefits. Democrats in Massachusetts must tread lightly on measures that reduce gas utility jobs. Governor Healey signed the act at the Greater Boston Joint Apprentice Training Center in Dorchester.There must be a large carrot of unionized “green” construction jobs to offset potential losses, not just adding lower paying weatherization or heat pump installation positions at smaller companies. The new act establishes a commission to study the impacts of the clean energy transition on the fossil fuel workforce.

The act has many other provisions:

• Expands qualification for discounted utility rates to moderate-income customers. At last count, at least 300 Lexington residents qualify for discounts. Details need to be worked out, but additional Lexington residents may now be able participate to offset higher expected future costs (e.g., higher real estate taxes from the new Lexington High School). 
•  Allows for potential procurement of nuclear power generation to meet the state’s climate goals. Under the act, Massachusetts can now sign long-term contracts with the Seabrook and Millstone nuclear power plants. Many global pundits believe achieving net-zero will be harder without nuclear.
• Mandates the competitive procurement of at least 5,000 megawatts of battery storage by 2030. This provision has generated push back by some, raising potential cost and environmental hazard issues. Mandates often do not deliver the results they intend. However, Mark Sandeen, Select Board Member and Lexington energy expert, concludes that, “competitive procurement ensures that battery storage will replace the procurement of new peaking power plants, transmission lines, and distribution infrastructure only if the total life cycle cost of the batteries is less than the cost of conventional grid infrastructure. This plan will actually save the Commonwealth a lot of money, while increasing grid reliability and resilience.” The new Lexington High School also includes battery storage in its design.  

Finally, there is Massport. According to Senator Barrett, “the act revises Massport’s enabling statute to require the agency to prioritize environmental protection and greenhouse gas emissions alongside the promotion of commerce and growth.” It is too early to guess how this change impacts the proposed expansion of private jet infrastructure at Hanscom Field. However, this change will be encouraging to advocates who oppose this expansion. 

“There’s a lot to like in the new climate act, and a lot that will support Lexington’s climate goals,” concluded Maggie Peard, Lexington’s Sustainability & Resilience Officer, adding, “Provisions in the bill complement Lexington’s electrification goals by moving towards a smarter and cleaner electric grid. The bill makes it easier for utilities to change their business model from selling gas to selling thermal energy, which comes at a good time for Lexington after just completing a feasibility study for a networked geothermal system.”