Renewable Portfolio Standard
Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard
- The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) is governed by a revised regulation that was promulgated on October 19, 2007. The text of the 2007 Regulation, as well as information and documentation of the process for developing the 2007 Regulation, can be found on the RPS Rulemaking page.
- Every company that sold electricity at retail in Massachusetts during 2007 is required to submit its RPS 2007 Annual Compliance Filing to DOER no later than Tuesday, July 1, 2008. On June 4, 2008, DOER issued final instructions and forms for the 2007 Annual Compliance Filing.
- On May 28 2008, DOER granted a Statement of Qualification to Mann Siding Wind in New Brunswick.
- On May 7, 2008, DOER announced that a Statement of Qualification Application (SQA) from Twin Rivers Technologies Quincy, LLC, for a 0.58 MW biomass plant at its Quincy, MA, facility is "administratively complete." Pursuant to the RPS regulation at 225 CMR 14.06(2)(b)(2), DOER is providing by means of this announcement an opportunity for public comment on the Twin Rivers SQA, since the project would utilize both eligible biomass fuel and ineligible fossil fuels. Written comments were due electronically by 5 PM on May 21, 2008. However, no comments were received, and DOER is preparing to issue a Statement of Qualification. Additional information, including links to the SQA documents, is on a separate page for the Twin Rivers project.
- On February 15, 2008, DOER released the "Annual RPS Compliance Report for 2006," the fourth year in which retail electricity suppliers in Massachusetts were required to comply with the MA RPS standards. Additional details can be found on the RPS Annual Reports page.
- On January 22, 2008, DOER announced that it has determined the adjusted rate for MA RPS Alternative Compliance Payments for 2008 to be $58.58 per MWh (additional information about the RPS Alternative Compliance Payment rate).
- On January 11, 2008, DOER announced that a Statement of Qualification Application (SQA) for Somerset – Unit 6, a 120 MW plant in Somerset, MA, was "administratively complete." Pursuant to the RPS regulation at 225 CMR 14.06(2)(b)(2), DOER provided an opportunity for public comment on the Somerset SQA, since the project would utilize both eligible biomass fuel and ineligible fossil fuels. Written comments were due electronically by 5 PM on January 25, 2008. Only one comment was received, and DOER is preparing to issue a Statement of Qualification. Additional information, including links to the SQA documents, is on a separate page for the Somerset project.
- As of December 18, 2007, applicants for Statements of Qualification must use the new Statement of Qualification Application form and instructions that replaces the previous, January 18, 2005, form. The new forms and instructions are now consistent with the new RPS Regulation of October 19, 2007.
- On November 7, 2007, DOER replaced the Biomass Eligibility Guideline that was issued and effective on October 19, 2007, with a revised version, effective immediately. The nature of the changes is summarized in footnote four on page one of the Guideline. A link to the Guideline is on the RPS Rulemaking page.
- Since July 1, 2007, DOER has qualified the following electricity generating units for RPS, granting them Statements of Qualification: A list of all qualified units is on another page.
- West Hill Windpower, LLC, SQ 7/30/07, 39 MW wind farm in Stockbridge, NY (Madison County).
- Munnsville Wind Farm, SQ 8/20/07, 34.5 MW wind farm in Bouckville, NY (Madison County).
- GSA Waltham, MA Solar Array, SQ 9/28/07, 0.325 MW PV system on the Federal Archives building.
- Ameresco Northampton, SQ 9/28/07, 0.800 landfill methane plant in MA.
- Fitchburg Landfill, SQ 10/11/07, a 3.2 MW landfill methane plant in Westminster, MA.
- Montagne Farm, SQ 10/11/07, a 0.380 MW dairy farm anaerobic digester generator in Swanton, VT.
- Mill Seat Landfill, SQ 12/4/07, a 4.8 MW landfill methane plant in Bergen, NY.
- Chaffee Landfill, SQ 12/4/07, a 4.8 MW landfill methane plant in Chaffee, NY.
- Mass. Maritime Academy Dorm PV, SQ 12/4/07, a 0.08 MW PV system in Buzzards Bay, MA.
- Jiminy Peak Wind QF, SQ 1/10/08, a 1.5 MW turbine at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Hancock, MA.
- Seaman Paper, SQ 1/31/08, a 0.3 MW wood chip-fueled CHP unit in Baldwinville, MA.
- Pine Tree Landfill, SQ 1/31/08, a 3.17 MW landfill methane plant in Hampden, ME.
- Covanta Haverhill - LF Gas, SQ 2/14/08, a 1.6 MW landfill methane plant in MA.
- Portsmouth Abbey Wind Turbine, SQ 5/8/08, a 0.660 MW turbine in Portsmouth, RI.
- Mann Siding Power, SQ 5/28/08, a 150 MW wind farm planned for St. Jean Baptiste, NB, Canada.
- See the RPS Rulemaking page for the conclusion to DOER's process of clarifying the eligibility of biomass plants.
- On October 27, 2005, DOER issued a "Policy Statement on the RPS Eligibility of Retooled Biomass Plants"
, which is the immediate follow-up to the recent Inquiry on the definition of "low-emission, advanced biomass power conversion technologies." - On July 1, 2005, DOER issued a Notice of Inquiry regarding the definition of "low-emission, advanced biomass power conversion technologies" and the qualification of biomass plants (see above). The Inquiry was followed by proposed revisions to the RPS regulations.
- On April 16, 2004 DOER had issued a "Guideline on the MA RPS Eligibility of Generation Units That Re-tool with Low Emission, Advanced Biomass Technologies." NOTE that, as of October 27, 2005, that Guideline was formally withdrawn, pursuant to the Policy Statement on the RPS Eligibility of Retooled Biomass Plants (see above).
- Current list of Administratively Complete Applications for Statement of Qualification.
- Current list of RPS-qualified, New Renewable Generation Units (plants whose Applications for Statements of Qualification have been approved).
"Creating a Greener Energy Future for the Commonwealth"