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Investigation Assessing the Future of Natural Gas in Massachusetts

DPU 20-80: Investigation by the Department of Public Utilities ("DPU") on its own Motion into the Role of Gas Local Distribution Companies ("LDCs") as the Commonwealth Achieves its Target 2050 Climate Goals

Table of Contents

Summary

On October 29, 2020, the DPU voted to open an investigation into potential policies that will enable the Commonwealth to reach its goal of net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the role of Massachusetts gas LDCs in achieving that goal.  Investigation by the Department of Public Utilities on its own Motion into the role of gas local distribution companies as the Commonwealth achieves its target 2050 climate goals, D.P.U. 20‑80, Vote and Order Opening Investigation at 7 (October 29, 2020) (“Order”). 

In its Order, the DPU directed the LDCs to initiate a joint request for proposals for an independent consultant to conduct a study and prepare a report (“Report”) within the parameters discussed in the Order.  The resulting Report is to inform and support separate proposals from each LDC (“Proposals”) that include the LDC’s recommendations and plans for helping the Commonwealth achieve its 2050 climate goals.  On March 18, 2022, the LDCs submitted the Report and their Proposals.  The Report and Proposals can be found here.

On March 23, 2022, the DPU issued a Notice of Filing and Public Hearing notifying the public of two Public Hearing dates (see below ‘Upcoming Events’ for details), and seeking written comments on the Report and Proposals with an initial comment submission deadline of May 6, 2022.  On March 24, 2022, the DPU also issued a Procedural Schedule in this proceeding, which included two Technical Session dates with a potential third Technical Session date (if necessary) yet to be determined (see below ‘Upcoming Events’ for details).

Additional Resources

Upcoming Events

  • Virtual Public Hearings:
    • May 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
    • May 5, 2022 at 2:00 p.m
  • Virtual Technical Sessions:
    • March 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
    • April 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Date published: March 28, 2022

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