59. The region will produce more renewable energy and will obtain more of its energy from renewable sources.
MetroFuture supports efforts to increase renewable energy production and consumption. As of 2005, the state sources 8% of total energy consumption from hydroelectric, biomass, other renewable sources, and nuclear power. There are approximately 27 megawatts of renewable energy installed in the MAPC region with about 33 additional megawatts in development.
In 1997, Massachusetts adopted a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for electricity sellers. It required 1% of all sales be from renewable sources in 2003, with the percentage increasing
to 2% in 2005, 4% by 2009 and 1% each year thereafter. In 2005, the last year for which data are available, 664,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy were supplied under the RPS, accounting for 1.25% of all electricity sales. The Division of Energy Resources estimated
that this amount of renewable energy reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 365,000 tons.
Objectives:
- By 2030, the region will purchase from renewable sources (without increases in nuclear, large hydroelectric, and biofuels) electricity equivalent to 25% of year 2000 electricity demand.
- The region will build at least 400 MW of clean energy capacity in the MAPC region.