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. (The superseded Regulation for RPS had been in effect since April 26, 2002.)

• On May 7, 2008, DOER announces 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 are due electronically by 5 PM on May 21, 2008. 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).

• NOTE that 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. 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.

• On June 12, 2007, DOER issued a decision regarding the ability of Hydro Quebec Energy Services (U.S.) Inc. to sell RECs produced from the Mt. Copper and Mt. Miller wind facilities located in Quebec, Canada into the MA REC market for MA RPS compliance.

• Every company that sold electricity at retail in Massachusetts during 2006 was required to submit its RPS 2006 Annual Compliance Filing to DOER no later than July 2, 2007. On June 8th, DOER issued final instructions and forms for the 2006 Annual Compliance Filing. Updated instructions and forms for the 2007 filing will be issued no later than early June 2008, and the filings will be due no later than July 1, 2008.

• 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.
  • Berkshire Cow Power, LLC, SQ 2/1/07, 0.6 MW dairy farm anaerobic digester generator in Richmond, VT.
  • Green Mountain Dairy Farm, LLC, SQ 2/1/07, 0.33 MW dairy farm anaerobic digester generator in Sheldon, VT.
  • Madison Windpower, LLC, SQ 2/16/07, 11.5 MW wind farm in Madison, NY (east of Syracuse), on line since 2000.
  • MM Methane, LLC, SQ 4/9/07, 2.8 MW landfill methane plant in Albany, NY, to add 3.8 MW in 2008.
  • Mount Miller Wind Energy, SQ 4/9/07, 54 MW wind farm on the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec.
  • Mount Copper Wind Energy, SQ 4/9/07, another 54 MW wind farm on the Gaspé Peninsula.
  • Manchester Methane LLC East Windsor Plant, SQ 4/25/07, a new 3.2 MW landfill plant in CT.
  • Shad Hall Photovoltaic System, SQ 4/25/07, 0.03645 MW array in Boston (installed in 2003 on the roof of Harvard Business School's athletic facility).
  • 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.
• On February 9, 2006, DOER issued the "Guideline for Retail Electricity Suppliers on the Determination of Sales to End-use Customers for Calculating the Annual RPS Obligation."

• RPS Eligibility of Biomass Plants
  • 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).
• Information on the NEPOOL-GIS, including guidance on the use of sub-accounts for RPS compliance.

• Statement of Qualification Documents. DOER is now accepting applications from generation owners and operators!

• 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).
• List of Advisory Rulings and related information and documents.

• Documents from the Deliberative Process.

"Creating a Greener Energy Future for the Commonwealth"