New panel tasked with helping Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals

Gov. Maura Healey. (Photo by Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced this week the formation of a new panel tasked with guiding the state’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The Energy Transformation Advisory Council includes representatives from labor, business, finance, and environmental justice organizations, as well as utilities, building owners, and developers.

The board will advise the newly created Office of Energy Transformation, which has been tasked with affordably and responsibly accelerating the state’s transition from gas to electricity and preparing the electric grid to meet the state’s climate and clean energy mandates.

The office has already announced three of its key goals: phasing out the Everett Marine Terminal liquefied natural gas facility, decarbonizing the way the state meets peak electricity demand and establishing alternative mechanisms to fund the transition to clean energy.

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

The best way to achieve those goals will be through electrification of buildings and transportation powered by new, clean energy sources, according to the Healey administration.

The mission of the Office of Energy Transformation is to ensure that the electric grid is upgraded affordably, that the state is making steady progress toward transitioning away from fossil fuels, and that workers and businesses that rely on fossil fuels for their livelihoods are supported through the transition.

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

The announcement follows the Massachusetts Senate’s passage last week of a bill aimed at expanding the adoption of renewable energy in an effort to help Massachusetts meet its climate goals, including achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Supporters say the proposal will help reduce utility bills by requiring providers to offer discounted rates to low- and middle-income consumers and giving the state more flexibility in negotiating contracts with providers.

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