To make electricity more affordable, we need more clean power – WBUR

Report on Electricity Affordability and Sustainable Energy Transition in Massachusetts

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the challenge of rising electricity costs in Massachusetts, framing the issue within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines the economic and infrastructural drivers of increased energy prices and evaluates proposed legislative solutions. The central finding is that an accelerated transition to renewable energy sources, as advocated in the proposed Energy Affordability Independence and Innovation Act, directly supports the achievement of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by offering a cost-effective, rapid, and sustainable path to energy security and economic competitiveness.

The Challenge to Energy Affordability and Sustainable Communities

The rising cost of electricity in Massachusetts presents a significant barrier to sustainable development, directly impacting households and businesses and challenging the principles of several SDGs.

Key Challenges:

• Economic Burden: Electricity bills have increased by 50% over the last decade, with the average residential bill exceeding $300 per month. This rate is 29% above the national average, undermining SDG 7’s goal of ensuring access to affordable energy for all.
• Infrastructural Deficiencies: The price surge is linked to aging energy infrastructure and a slow deployment of modern, affordable power solutions. This compromises the development of resilient infrastructure as outlined in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• Impact on Communities and Economy: High energy costs strain household budgets and increase operational expenses for businesses, hindering progress toward SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

A Solution Aligned with SDG 7 and SDG 13: The Case for Clean Energy

The most viable solution to the affordability crisis is a rapid expansion of clean energy resources. This approach concurrently addresses economic pressures and climate objectives, demonstrating the synergy between SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Comparative Analysis of Energy Sources:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: Clean energy technologies are the most affordable sources of new power. The levelized cost of building a solar project is between $38 and $78 per megawatt-hour, compared to $48 to $107 for a natural gas plant.
2. Speed of Deployment: A solar project can be completed in 12-18 months, whereas a new natural gas plant faces a turbine backlog of up to seven years. This rapid deployment is critical for meeting immediate energy needs.
3. Proven Success: States such as Texas, Iowa, and Kansas have become leaders in wind and solar generation. Their focus on renewables is driven by economic advantages, resulting in electricity prices below the national average and demonstrating a successful model for achieving SDG 7.

Legislative Framework for a Sustainable Energy Future

The proposed Energy Affordability Independence and Innovation Act in Massachusetts provides a comprehensive policy framework to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system. The legislation’s components are designed to advance multiple SDGs simultaneously.

Key Provisions of the Act:

• Grid Modernization: Enhancing the electric grid with solar and other distributed energy resources supports the creation of resilient and sustainable infrastructure, a core target of SDG 9 and SDG 11.
• Accelerated Clean Energy Deployment: The act aims to streamline the process for bringing new clean power online, directly advancing SDG 7 and SDG 13.
• Energy Efficiency and Consumption: By improving the Mass Save program, the legislation promotes energy efficiency, which is fundamental to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Reforming the program’s financing reduces costs for ratepayers, further supporting SDG 7.

Conclusion: A Mutually Reinforcing Path to Sustainability

The evidence indicates that addressing climate change and ensuring energy affordability are not conflicting goals but are mutually reinforcing. The proposed legislation is projected to save consumers between $11 and $14 billion over the next decade. By prioritizing the rapid deployment of clean energy and modernizing infrastructure, Massachusetts can effectively lower energy costs, enhance economic competitiveness, and make significant progress toward its climate targets and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7, SDG 11, and SDG 13.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The article’s central theme is the rising cost of electricity in Massachusetts and the push for affordable, clean energy sources like solar and wind. It directly discusses the challenges of energy affordability (“Electricity bills in Massachusetts have increased by 50%”) and advocates for a transition to renewable energy (“To solve electricity affordability, we need more clean power”).

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article points to “aging infrastructure” as a key reason for spiking electricity bills. It discusses the need for modernization and upgrades to the electric grid, specifically mentioning that “Our transmission and distribution systems also need to be addressed” and that proposed legislation aims to “enhance the electric grid with solar and other distributed energy resources.” This aligns with the goal of building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The issue of high energy costs directly impacts households and businesses within communities, affecting their sustainability and economic viability. By advocating for cheaper, cleaner energy and more efficient infrastructure, the article addresses the need to make human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The transition from fossil fuels to renewables also implicitly addresses reducing the environmental impact of cities.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explicitly connects the push for clean energy with climate goals. It refutes the idea that affordability and climate action are mutually exclusive, stating, “While some believe the path to achieve energy affordability requires weakening or doing away with the state’s climate goals, nothing could be further from the truth.” The proposed “Energy Affordability Independence and Innovation Act” is presented as a policy that integrates climate measures (promoting clean power) into state-level planning.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article highlights the lack of affordability, with the average residential bill being “$300 a month,” and discusses legislation aimed at bringing down costs.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article strongly advocates for increasing the share of “solar, wind, and battery storage,” citing them as the “most affordable and quickest sources of energy to build.”
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The article mentions Massachusetts’ “nation-leading energy efficiency program, Mass Save,” which helps homes reduce costs through efficiency upgrades, and notes that the new legislation improves this program.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article’s discussion of “aging infrastructure” and the need to “enhance the electric grid with solar and other distributed energy resources” directly relates to this target.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article describes the “Energy Affordability Independence and Innovation Act” as a state-level policy that holistically addresses energy costs and clean energy deployment, demonstrating the integration of climate goals into economic strategy.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Indicator for Target 7.1 (Affordability): The article provides direct quantitative indicators of affordability challenges, such as the “50% increase” in electricity bills over the last decade, the “average residential bill is now over $300 a month,” and Massachusetts being “29% above the national average.” Progress could be measured by a reduction in these figures.
   • Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable Energy Share): The article implies indicators by comparing the cost and build time of renewables versus fossil fuels. It states it “costs between $38 to $78 per megawatt hour to build a solar project” versus “$48 to $107 for a natural gas plant.” The growth of renewable energy generation, as seen in Texas where the “overwhelming majority of new power added… is from solar, wind and battery storage,” serves as an indicator of an increasing share.
   • Indicator for Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency): A specific indicator is mentioned: the Mass Save program “helped more than 55,000 homes in 2024 to reduce costs through efficiency upgrades.” The number of households implementing efficiency measures is a clear metric for progress.

2. Indicators for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • Indicator for Target 9.4 (Sustainable Infrastructure): While not providing a direct number, the article implies that an indicator would be the level of investment in modernizing the grid and the rate of deployment of “distributed energy resources.” The cost-effectiveness of clean technologies (e.g., cost per megawatt-hour for solar) is an indicator of their viability for infrastructure upgrades.

3. Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Indicator for Target 13.2 (Policy Integration): The existence and enactment of legislation like the “Energy Affordability Independence and Innovation Act” is a primary indicator. Furthermore, the projected economic impact of such policies, such as the estimated savings for consumers of between “$11 and $14 billion over the next decade,” serves as a quantitative indicator of the success of integrated climate and economic planning.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wbur.org