Advancing Clean Energy and Electrification in Massachusetts and New York

NEEEC is actively involved in two key state initiatives. In Massachusetts, the first meeting of the newly created Office of Energy Transformation (OET) took place in September 2024. The OET was created by  Governor Healey following a recommendation from NEEEC last year. Steve Cowell, NEEEC’s Executive Director, participated as a member of the Advisory Board, alongside more than 50 representatives from various organizations and offices focused on climate and equity in the region.

Melissa Lavinson, the OET’s Executive Director, led the meeting, which identified three initial focus areas: phasing out reliance on the Everett Marine Terminal (EMT) LNG facility; securing funding to meet the state’s climate goals (Financing the Transition); and updating the Grid Modernization rate structure (Decarbonizing the PEAK).

Over the next six months, Focused Area Work Groups will meet to develop proposals and make recommendations to the OET and the Advisory Board, with NEEEC contributing as a member of the Financing the Transition (FTT) group.

In New York, NEEEC is supporting efforts to require the electrification of new medium to large buildings over the next five years, with potential for further expansion. This initiative, led by Rewiring America, faces some significant debate and opposition. NEEEC’s role will be to help build support for these measures, both in New York and in other states, as the state code commission reviews the proposal.