A new analysis finds that Massachusetts can meet its 2050 peak electricity demand using only zero-emissions technologies, allowing the state to retire fossil fuel peaker power plants while maintaining reliability and containing costs. Massachusetts has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal that requires retiring the state's peaker plants and replacing them with clean, reliable alternatives.
The report was published by the Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition, which is composed of Clean Energy Group, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), and Slingshot, with analysis conducted by Synapse Energy Economics.
The analysis finds that full peak decarbonization is feasible, reliable, and cost-effective, even as electrification drives a shift to higher, longer, winter-peaking demand. A least-cost portfolio of clean resources combines demand-side measures, energy storage, and wind generation to meet 2050 peak demand. When climate and public health impacts are included, the clean portfolio is more cost-effective than continued reliance on gas peaker plants or combustion-based alternatives such as hydrogen or renewable natural gas.
Based on these findings, the Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition advances four core recommendations:
- Incentivize demand-side measures to reduce the cost of decarbonization, with a focus on reducing summer and winter peaks.
- Prioritize the development of medium- and long-duration energy storage technologies to maintain reliability during winter peaks.
- Consider local siting constraints and community concerns in building out wind capacity.
- Account for externalities, such as climate and public health impacts, when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of peak decarbonization.
The analysis makes clear that eliminating fossil peaker plants is both achievable and economically sound. With deliberate policy choices centered on zero-emissions solutions, equity, and community engagement, the Commonwealth can retire its most harmful power plants, protect public health, and build a cleaner, more resilient electric system by 2050.
"It is no coincidence that Massachusetts' peaker power plants are primarily located near low-income communities and communities of color," says Seth Mullendore, president and executive director of Clean Energy Group. "This pattern exists across the country, and it contributes to significant public health disparities. Replacing peakers with clean alternatives is a clear win for our climate and for environmental justice."
"Over and over again, we hear that communities are fed up with fossil fuels," explained Mireille Bejjani, Co-Executive Director at Slingshot. "They want cleaner, healthier, more affordable energy solutions that they have a meaningful role in shaping. They want a system that works for them instead of costing them their savings and their health. This report helps outline a roadmap for that version of our electric grid."
"Many peaker plant sites are very well suited for replacement with battery energy storage systems (BESS)," says Rosemary Wessel, Director of Berkshire Environmental Action Team's Put Peakers in the Past campaign. "These sites have existing grid interconnections in place and are already disturbed industrial-zoned plots. As lithium battery technology safety rates have skyrocketed over the last several years and new non-toxic, non-flammable battery systems are developed, we're finding that communities prefer the safer, non-polluting BESS systems to the guarantee of fossil fuel pollution they've lived with for years."
Clean Energy Group, a national nonprofit organization, works at the forefront of clean energy innovation to enable a just energy transition to address the urgency of the climate crisis. Learn more at www.cleanegroup.org.
Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is a nonprofit working to protect the environment and enact meaningful change throughout Berkshire County and Western Massachusetts. Learn more at www.thebeatnews.org.
Slingshot works alongside communities across the Northeastern US that are most impacted by environmental threats to take aim at polluters and build community power. Learn more at www.slingshot.org.
Synapse Energy Economics is a research and consulting firm focused on the intersection of energy, economics, and the environment. Learn more at www.synapse-energy.com.
Press Contact:
Samantha Donalds
Clean Energy Group
sam@cleanegroup.org
