100% Renewable

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Top Reasons Why Shrewsbury Should transition to 100% Renewable Energy by 2030 for electricity and by 2050 for all energy consumed by all residents, institutions, businesses, municipal agencies, and other entities operating within its borders

“Renewable energy,” energy produced from sources that meet all of the following criteria:

Virtually pollution-free, producing little to no global warming pollution or health-threatening pollution;
Inexhaustible, coming from natural sources that are regenerative or practically unlimited;
Safe, having minimal impacts on the environment, community safety and public health; and
Efficient, a wise use of resources.

Renewable energy shall include energy produced with the following technologies, provided that the use of these technologies conforms to the requirements above:

solar photovoltaic,
solar thermal electric,
solar thermal heating,
offshore wind energy,
onshore wind energy, and
geothermal energy.

Renewable energy may include other technologies that meet the requirements above.

Nuclear and Hydro Power is NOT part of our energy future for the following reasons:

Nuclear Power Issues

Hydro Power Issues

100% Clean and Renewable Energy Commitments

SELCO Minutes 052219 – 80% Carbon Free by 2050

Review and Consider Approval-MEAM Legislation Recommendation

M. Hale recommended that the Commission support legislation filed by MEAM that
would require MLPs to have 80% of their energy portfolio coming from carbon free
sources by 2050.
Following further discussion, the Commission unanimously agreed to support the
MEAM Legislation recommendation, recognizing climate change by supporting the
increase of carbon free sources in SELCO’s energy portfolio.

Rep Jim McGovern – supports the goal of 100% Renewable Energy by 2030

MASS SIERRA CLUB – READY FOR 100 CAMPAIGN

And specifically the list of Cities commiting to 100% Renewable Energy:

MASS SIERRA CLUB – READY FOR 100 – LIST OF CITIES

SELCO Energy Portfolio (approximate as of July 2017)

Non-Renewable = 92%
Renewable = 8%

ENERGY SOURCE	PERCENTAGE
Natural Gas / Oil (non-renewable)	55%
Nuclear (non-renewable)	27%
Hydro (non-renewable)	10%
Wind (renewable)	6%
Solar (renewable)	2%

MASS SIERRA CLUB – Renewable Portfolio Standard information

Shrewsbury Solar Farms/Installations

Cherry Street / Route 20, Shrewsbury, MA
- Operated by Con-Ed
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SELCO
- 3.3 MW
- Ground mounted
- Acres = 26
- Solar Panels = 11,880
- Completed = September 2012
Shrewsbury Landfill Solar Panel Array
- This Solar Project is a joint effort of SELCO, MMWEC, the town of Shrewsbury and Wheelabrator.
- Owned by MMWEC (for 25 years until lease expires and SELCO assumes ownership)
- Operated by SELCO
- 3.8 MW, 4 MWh/yr
- Ground mounted
- Acres = 12
- Solar Panels = 12,000
- Completed = June 2018
Shrewsbury Home Farm water treatment plant
- 60 kW

Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) – Shrewsbury

Number of Customers: 15,462
Peak Load: 56.7 MW

MMWEC Projects:

Millstone (Nuclear Mix No. 1, Nuclear Project No. 3)
Seabrook (Nuclear Mix No. 1, Nuclear Project Nos. 4, 5 & 6)
Stony Brook (Fossile Fuels = No. 2 oil/natural gas)
Wyman (Fossil Fuels = No.2 Oil)

MMWEC Emerging Technologies Initiative

Specific technologies, solar PV in particular, are growing at a rapid pace. Interest in energy storage systems and other solar-compatible technologies is also growing, while efficiencies improve and costs drop. Microgrids and nanogrids, which provide resiliency for municipal loads and can help reduce peak loads, are also being examined as a potential key component of the future grid.

Emerging Technologies teams, focusing on solar, battery storage and microgrids/nanogrids, have been created to serve this purpose.

The teams are tasked with developing strategies, investigating and determining any applicable incentive programs to support these technologies, identifying opportunities for additional member generation and/or peak load reduction, and gauging member interest in these technologies through feedback and member visits.

SELCO Efficiency & Renewables Programs

Home Energy Audits & Rebates
Energy Efficiency Loan Program
Efficiency Quick Tip Video Library

SELCO Green Light Renewable Power Program

When you sign up for SELCO Green Light, 100% of your monthly green power payment goes to make sure that clean, renewable wind-generated electricity is delivered to the regional power grid on your behalf.

Berkshire Wind Power Co-Op – Buying Wind Energy RECs as SELCO is a member of the Berkshire Wind Power Co-Op. SELCO receives about 5 million kWh per year from the project, which is approximately 1.6% of the Town’s total energy usage, or enough energy to power about 600 Shrewsbury homes. The project will help to diversify our power supply and stabilize costs over the long term by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

SELCO Residential Solar & Net Metering Programs

Do I have to own the solar panels?
Yes. Residential SELCO customers wishing to install solar must:

Own the home where the panels will be installed.
Own the panels.
Own all power produced.

You cannot enter into panel leasing arrangements or third-party power purchase agreements within the SELCO service territory. This means that you may not lease solar panels from any company that will retain ownership of the panels or the power generated.

SELCO School Solar Programs

Oak Middle School – SELCO has installed a 6.2kW solar installation consisting of 32 solar panels on the roof.
Floral Street School – SELCO has installed a 1kW solar installation consisting of 6 solar panels on the grounds.

RESOURCES

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

11/27/18 – The Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) & Rhode Island Renewable Energy Standard (RES) In Plain English

Year	Old RPS (1%)	Current RPS (2%@2020 back to 1%@2030)	Proposed RPS (3%)
2018	13%	13%	13%
2019	14%	14%	16%
2020	15%	16%	19%
2030	25%	36%	49%
2040	35%	46%	79%
2050	45%	56%	2047 – 100%

MASS POWER FORWARD – 100% Renewable Energy Communities

Municipalities that have already committed to 100% Renewables through a resolution or warrant article: Amherst, Cambridge, Framingham, Northampton, Leverett, Lowell, Salem, Wendell. In addition, Concord and Hingham, municipal light plant communities, have commited to 100% Renewables and 100% Carbon Free respectively. Contact us to learn more about these incredible initiatives.

Massachusetts Energy Storage Initiative – STATE OF CHARGE – Sept 2016

SYNAPSE ENERGY: Switch on the Savings: A Heat Pump Cost-Effectiveness Study

LOCAL EFFORTS

Westborough

100% RENEWABLE LOCAL NEWS

09/21/20 – SELCO Meeting Minutes – Sept 21st, 2020

14. Review and Consider Approval- Operating Brief

C Roy presented and reviewed highlights of the Operating Brief, including but not
limited to the following,

SELCO is pursuing a new hydro opportunity. Details not yet public. Project
specifics to be discussed in a future executive session.

11/20/19 – Worcester’s Petty, other mayors push state to go 100% renewable

10/16/19 – Climate Change Action Resolution Vote to be held at Westborough’s Special Town Meeting

The Committee Sustainable Westborough is requesting, via Article 11, that the voters approve a non-binding resolution that will provide directions and goals for the town to move foward regarding issues related to climate change. The article asks that the Town Manager create a Task Force to develop a comprehensive Climate Action Plan by the 2021 ATM to define Westborough’s path to 100 percent renewable energy.

10/14/19 – Westborough to hold Special Town Meeting Oct. 21

09/10/19 – Sustainable Westborough to host two meetings on renewable energy

In advance of a vote at Fall Town Meeting, Sustainable Westborough will be hosting a talk and discussion on an upcoming resolution: defining Westborough’s path to 100 percent renewable energy. The purpose of this resolution will be to have Westborough consider climate change in all appropriate planning, take action to prepare for the effects of climate change and ensure Westborough meets its portion of the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act. Most importantly, the article will lead Westborough to investigate and develop a comprehensive action plan for our path toward 100 percent renewable, sustainable energy use.

07/24/19 – Push on Beacon Hill for 100% renewable energy by 2045

05/13/19 – State launches solar rebate program for customers of municipal light plants like Shrewsbury’s

10/25/18 – Braintree adds electricity storage

“Thomas Reynolds, who chairs [Braintree’s] light board, said the goal is for 80 percent of the utility’s electricity to come from renewable sources − including wind, solar, hydro and biomass − by 2050. Currently, 13 percent of power comes from renewable sources.”

08/05/18 – Mass. Legislature fails the environment

08/02/18 – Mass Legislature Passes Weak Energy Compromise Bill

Boosts the RPS annual increase from 1% to 2% starting in 2020, but declines back to 1% in 2030.

37% of their electricity from renewables in 2030,
47% in 2040 and
57% in 2047

07/24/18 – [Environment Massachusetts] 100% Renewable Agenda outlines ambitious clean energy roadmap

07/12/18 – SELCO hosts ribbon cutting for solar farm at town landfill

06/28/18 – The MA Senate Energy Omnibus Bill: What You Need to Know

06/15/18 – Mass Senate Unanimously Passes Clean Energy Future Bill

It would also change Massachusetts’ renewable portfolio standard (RPS) so that it increases 3% every year, meaning that utilities will be required to source

49% of their electricity from renewables in 2030,
79% in 2040 and
100% in 2047

While Hawaii is the only state that currently has a 100% mandate (by 2045), the rate of this mandate would make it the 6th-most aggressive such policy in the United States.

The bill would also supersize Massachusetts’ energy storage procurement mandate from the current 200 megawatt-hours (MWh) by 2020 set by the Baker Administration to 2 GW by 2025. Along with this, the bill would create targets for each utility, including municipal power companies, as well as mandating alternative compliance payments if utilities fall behind in deployment. Utilities will not be allowed to own more than 20% of the storage they deploy, and the program will be subject to annual reporting.

04/20/18 – Home Farm water treatment plant receives $200K in funding

01/22/18 – [Northampton] City Council aims for 100 percent green

01/17/18 – Selectmen approve agreement for solar array at landfill

12/07/17 – UMass Amherst Receives $1.1 Million Grant for Large Battery Project to be Built with Tesla

09/06/17 – Shrewsbury town meeting OK gas line extensions, solar deal

02/10/16 – Shrewsbury OKs deal for landfill solar plant

11/06/12 – Solar panels to generate revenue for Shrewsbury

04/06/12 – Shrewsbury approves plan for town’s first solar project