Massachusetts has released its annual Climate Report Card, which assesses state progress toward achieving its clean energy goals. The Boston Globe summarized the findings of the report, providing input from advanced energy experts, including United's Kat Burnham, who emphasized the importance of a sustained commitment to overcoming clean energy barriers in 2025 and beyond.
The state’s second-ever annual Climate Report Card was released Friday, showing a mixed bag of results.
Last year showed some progress on heat pump installations, electric vehicles and chargers, land conservation, and efforts at adaptation to the impacts of climate change. But there were some clear headwinds, too, that led to a slowdown in clean energy development — a must-have if the state is going to stay on track for its target of essentially zeroing out greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
“For the things that we can control, we are seeing the results,” said Katherine Antos, state undersecretary for decarbonization and resilience. “The challenges that we’re facing more have to do with macro economic conditions.”
One thing is clear: While every year in this decade is critical for the climate, the hardest part is yet to come. “We always knew that 2025 to 2030 is the time where we really need to see market transformation and scaling of these solutions,” Antos said.
So, how is the state doing? Here’s a breakdown, with some context from local advocates and experts. You can also peruse the entire report card here.
Power decarbonization
By the numbers: In 2022 (the latest numbers) half of the state’s electricity consumption was met by clean resources. For the majority of the state that is served by Eversource, National Grid and Unitil, it was 54 percent clean, as required by state law. (Those laws don’t apply to municipal light plants, which often have less clean energy in their portfolios). Between 2022 and 2023, the state’s onshore wind capacity actually declined — from 113 to 110 megawatts — after two wind facilities were decommissioned, while its solar capacity increased from 3,325 to 4,023 megawatts.
Context please!: We’re behind. Offshore wind has always been expected to deliver big for Massachusetts — and it still is — but market forces slowed progress on major projects. Now, with a new president taking office who opposes offshore wind, there could be more delays in store. In the near future, Massachusetts will continue to work toward its goals by contracting with out-of-state power companies generating renewables like nuclear, onshore wind, and hydropower.
What they’re saying: “While sobering, it’s no surprise that transforming our power system is hard,” said Kat Burnham, Sr. Principal at Advanced Energy United. “It will require a sustained commitment to doing the hard work of removing barriers to clean technologies.”
Read the full article here.