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Clean Energy Transmission Working Group (CETWG)

This page contains information about the Clean Energy Transmission Working Group (CETWG). The CETWG was created to provide a comprehensive cost analysis of major electric transmission infrastructure upgrades that may be needed to deliver clean energy to the residents and businesses of Massachusetts and the region.

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CETWG Final Report

The CETWG issued its final report in December 2023. The report discusses how transmission is planned, how it is paid for, the benefits it provides to the electric grid and to the consumers that fund it, and obstacles to transmission development. The report recommends actions in connection with transmission infrastructure at the federal, regional, and state levels.

Clean Energy Transmission Working Group Final Report - Revised

Timeline

The CETWG held its first meeting in July of 2023. The Working Group met monthly, then more frequently in November and December. The Group submitted its final report to the Legislature in December. Meeting materials can be found below, under CETWG Meeting Schedule.

Clean Energy Transmission Working Group (CETWG)

The CETWG was created by Section 71 of “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind” (Climate Law) in 2022. The law says the working group shall assess and report to the general court on any necessary transmission upgrades that may be required to support the deployment of clean energy projects that may interconnect into the commonwealth for the benefit of residents of the commonwealth and the region, including but not limited to offshore wind projects. The assessment shall:

  • Consider both in-state transmission upgrades as well as any regional transmission upgrades that may be necessary to accommodate the commonwealth’s clean energy requirements;
  • Provide recommendations on any actions or initiatives that may be undertaken by ISO New England Inc., the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other regional and state-level entities;
  • Include a cost-benefit analysis to identify regulatory and legal challenges associated with obtaining and streamlining tariff approvals to accommodate increased clean energy penetration across New England;
  • Assess and review cost-allocation measures adopted in other jurisdictions that aim to spread transmission upgrade costs equitably among ratepayers and developers across the states and regions.

Members

The Governor appointed CETWG members, who served until the group issued a final report with recommendations for legislative and regulatory actions at the state, regional, and federal level. The Chairman of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the Commissioner of Department of Energy Resources (DOER) chaired the CETWG, which was supported by DPU and DOER staff. CETWG members represented a wide array of organizations and interests.

  • Jason Marshall, Deputy Secretary and Special Counsel for Federal and Regional Energy Affairs, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Designee for Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, CETWG Co-Chairperson;
  • Jamie Van Nostrand, Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, CETWG Co-Chairperson;
  • Ashley Gagnon, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, Designee for Attorney General Andrea Campbell;
  • Michael J. Barrett, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy;
  • Jeffrey N. Roy, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy;
  • Vacant, Submitted by the American Society of Civil Engineers;
  • Brooke M Thomson, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Inc, Submitted by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Inc;
  • Doug Howgate, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc, Submitted by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc.;
  • Vacant, Submitted by the National Consumer Law Center, Inc;
  • Joseph LaRusso, Submitted by the Acadia Center;
  • Hilary Pearson, LineVision, Submitted by the Northeast Clean Energy Council;
  • Johannes Pfeifenberger, Brattle Group, Representing or consulting to the offshore wind industry;
  • Liz Delaney, New Leaf Energy, Representing or consulting to the solar energy industry;
  • Sheila Keane, New England States Committee on Electricity, Economist with knowledge of electricity transmission, distribution, generation and power supply;
  • Ronald DeCurzio, Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), Representing municipal interests or a regional public entity;
  • Barry Ahern, National Grid, Representing investor-owned utilities in the Commonwealth;
  • Dave Burnham, Eversource, Representing investor-owned utilities in the Commonwealth;

CETWG Meeting Schedule

Meeting #1: Friday, July 28, 2023 – 9 am to 11 am

Meeting #2: Friday, August 25, 2023 – 9 am to 11 am

Meeting #3: Friday, September 22, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Meeting #4: Friday, October 13, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Meeting #5: Friday, November 3, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Meeting #6: Friday, November 17, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Meeting #7: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Meeting #8: Friday, December 15, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Meeting #9: Thursday, December 21, 2023 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Clean Energy Transmission Working Group – Background/Reference Materials

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