Massachusetts
Introduction
The Massachusetts RPS legislation has been in effect since April 26, 2002. Municipally-owned utilities are conditionally exempt from the RPS. Eligible Technologies include:
- Solar PV or solar thermal
- Wind
- Ocean thermal, wave, and tidal
- Fuel cells using renewable fuels (not natural gas)
- Landfill methane gas and anaerobic digester gas
- "Low emission" biomass
"New source" means having began commercial operation after Dec. 31, 1997. Facilities older than this can qualify for generation in excess of historic (1995-1997 annual average) generation.
| Year | Percent of Sales | Estimated Annual Energy (GWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2.0% | 927 |
| 2006 | 2.5% | 1,176 |
| 2007 | 3.0% | 1,433 |
| 2008 | 3.5% | 1,696 |
| 2009 | 4.0% | 1,968 |
Reporting Year/Schedule
These are according to GIS, and are measured in calendar years:
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Period | Jan 1 to Mar 31 | Apr 1 to June 30 | Jan 1 to Mar 31 | Oct 1 to Dec 31 |
| Transfer Period | Jul to Sept 15 | Oct 15 to Dec 15 | Jan 15 to May 15 | Apr 15 to Jun 15 |
- The RPS regulations (at 225 CMR 14.09) require all Massachusetts Retail Electricity Suppliers to submit Compliance Filings by July 1 of each year demonstrating that they complied with their RPS obligations for the previous calendar year.
- Filings for the 2005 Compliance Year must be submitted to the DOER no later than July 3, 2006.
Location
- Electricity can be generated anywhere in the New England power grid; or the electricity generated has to be delivered to, or at least be able to reach, end-users in Massachusetts.
- If the generating unit is "behind the meter" or is not connected to the grid, then it must be located in Massachusetts.
- If power is generated outside of the NE power grid, then the power must be transmitted into the New England power grid and an Import Generator account opened for it in GIS by the NE supplier importing the power.
Banking
- Excess RECs can be banked for compliance in one or both of the next two years.
- The amount that can be banked is limited to no more than 30% of the compliance obligation in the year in which the excess certificates were created.
- ACP language