Public Hearing - Clean Peak Energy Standard Emergency Rulemaking

On May 28, 2026, the Department of Energy Resources (Department) filed an emergency rulemaking with the Secretary of State that makes changes to 225 CMR 21.00 Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS), effective immediately. 

This emergency rulemaking: 

1. Changes the Minimum Standard from 2026 through 2030; 
2. Modifies the Near-Term Resource Multiplier for Qualified Energy Storage Systems; and 
3. Makes technical updates to references related to the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. 

The Department is promulgating these changes on an emergency basis to reduce near-term impacts of the CPS program on ratepayers while creating a pathway to ensure additional energy storage is deployed across the Commonwealth. 

To see the specific changes made to the Regulation, please review the clean and redline documents posted on the Department’s website, linked below. Per G.L. c. 30A, DOER will hold a public hearing and comment period on the emergency regulation.  

225 CMR 21 CLEAN PEAK ENERGY STANDARD - Clean

225 CMR 21 CLEAN PEAK ENERGY STANDARD - Redline

A virtual public hearing on the regulations will be held on July 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM via Zoom. Stakeholders may register for the hearing using the following link: 

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_r79WS5UQQkewklS_5_CYqA#/registration 

Written comments will be accepted beginning May 28, 2026 and ending at 5:00 PM on July 6, 2026. DOER requests that written comments be submitted as attached PDF files to DOER.CPS@mass.gov with the words “CPS 2026 Emergency Rulemaking” in the subject line. 

For any questions regarding the CPS emergency rulemaking, please contact: DOER.CPS@mass.gov. On May 28, 2026, the Department of Energy Resources (Department) filed an emergency rulemaking with the Secretary of State that makes changes to 225 CMR 21.00 Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS), effective immediately.