RPS Talking Points

Use the following brief talking points when speaking with your MA representative.

• As a driver of renewable energy development, Massachusetts’ RPS has been in place since 1997, and a 2017 analysis by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. shows the MA RPS has proven to help:
  • Stimulate local/regional clean energy job growth.
  • Promote energy diversity.
  • Displace fossil fuels and reduce GHG emissions.
  • Stabilize energy prices. 

• Massachusetts’ RPS is integral to compliance with the MA Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), which mandates that Massachusetts reduce economy-wide emissions 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.
  • Grid de-carbonization is the most cost-effective way to reduce GHG emissions.
  • Accelerating clean energy development in MA and New England is essential if climate obligations are to be met, especially as we begin to electrify transportation and space heating.
  • 50% Renewable by 2030: Analysis supports an increase in the RPS of 3% per year, which is about equivalent to 50% Class I by 2030.
  • A 3% per year RPS increase would:
    • Help drive new, incremental renewables by 2030
    • Decrease wholesale electricity prices
    • Stimulate New England job growth in the clean energy sector
    • Displace fossil fuels and reduce GHG emissions
    • Have only a modest impact on monthly bills: depending on level of RPS increase, monthly electric bills for residential  ratepayers in Massachusetts would rise between $0.15 and $2 per month, relative to the current RPS
• In Summary: analyses have shown that strengthening the RPS is necessary, doable, and beneficial for the economy, the environment, to consumers, and for public health