At the Southern New England Energy Conference in Newport , Rhode Island , Kate Childs , immediate past chair of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association , presented honors to two industry veterans based in the Nutmeg state . The Association honored George Perrelli as Marketer of the Year , for his dedication to Entech , and to the industry in general . John Pruchnicki of Coastal Carriers was honored as Associate of the Year . Photos by Stephen Bennett

For anyone who entertained doubts , rest assured Massachusetts isn ’ t like Las Vegas : “ What Happens in Massachusetts Won ’ t Stay in Massachusetts ,” was the title of a session at the Southern New England Energy Conference , playing off an erstwhile advertising campaign that went , “ What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas .”

Attendees at the conference heard about The Bay State ’ s ongoing efforts to develop a Clean Heat Standard — and how such standards are increasingly likely to be taken up by lawmakers in other states .

Michael Ferrante , president of the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association , described what the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is doing to formulate a CHS , and what MEMA is doing to counter what it considers the most misguided elements of the intended standard .

“ The Commonwealth ’ s objectives to transform the electric grid – ISO New England ( ISO NE ) – to a system using only renewable fuels for power generation are laudable but this transformation will take many years to accomplish ,” the board of directors of the Massachusetts Energy Marketers stated in a letter to the DEP . “ In the meantime , the Commonwealth should be utilizing every available pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ( GHG ) now . Renewable liquid biodiesel , or biofuel , provides such a pathway . Hence , when developing a CHS regulation MassDEP should support the use of all advanced biofuel feedstocks that are recognized by the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency and allowed under biofuel blending mandates in New York , Connecticut , Pennsylvania , and Rhode Island .”

The letter also noted that the state ’ s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard

( APS ) program “ is proof that biofuel blended with traditional low-sulfur heating is an immediate and cost-effective method of reducing GHG emissions in homes and businesses using heating oil . However , unlike the APS program , MassDEP should not handcuff the heating oil industry atlarge by limiting biofuel feedstock credit eligibility under a CHS to only used cooking oil , or so-called “ waste ” feedstock .

“ According to a recent study by economic consulting firm Bates White , incorporating higher biofuel blends in the Northeast could provide net emissions reductions of approximately seven million metric tons of CO2 per year . The study found that , “ Decarbonization of fuels currently used to heat homes and businesses can offer a cost-effective means to meet interim GHG reduction goals ,” thus , “ easing the challenges of rapid electrification and the required buildout of renewable generation , transmission , and distribution infrastructure .”

Another point raised in the letter related to the idea of scoring the carbon intensity of the electric grid :

“ The fuel mix for power generation at ISO NE is consistently dominated by natural gas , with only a small percentage allotted to renewable fuels . On August 30 , 2023 , natural gas was 53 % of the grid ’ s fuel mix , while renewables comprised only 5 %. Like other fuels impacted by a CHS and given the state ’ s focus on seeking millions of conversions from fossil fuel systems to air and ground source electric heat pumps , MassDEP must evaluate the carbon intensity of the electric grid . The Commission on Clean Heat supports this evaluation .”

To read the complete letter , and to catch up on other aspects of MEMA ’ s efforts , visit www . massenergymarketers . org / resources / industry-energy-news / l FON

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