MASSACHUSETTS HAS ENTERED a new energy age, one for the people, not shareholder profits. For years, community members and local climate activists, including Sierra Club, have argued that the state’s sprawling, pricey “natural” gas distribution system — used to heat and power our homes and buildings — is dangerous for the health of our communities and incompatible with our climate goals.

Now, in a landmark order on the future of gas, Gov. Maura Healey’s Department of Public Utilities has formally agreed gas has no place in our energy future. As a result of this incredible win over profit-driven utilities, generations of Massachusetts residents will breathe cleaner air in safer communities powered by more sustainable, local energy.

In short, the future of gas order requires utilities to transition the Massachusetts energy system off of gas. Why? So-called “natural” gas is actually methane, a fossil fuel and greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane warms the planet, exacerbating a climate crisis that has already brought increasingly severe storms and cold snaps to New England.

Gas infrastructure exposes communities near pipelines to the dangers of gas leaks or excavating mishaps. In 2018, a series of gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley killed one person, damaged 40 homes, and forced 30,000 people to evacuate. Exposure to methane also increases the risk of residents contracting respiratory conditions like asthma. Maintaining the volatile gas system is incredibly expensive, resulting in Massachusetts residents paying some of the highest energy rates in the nation.  

Despite the health and safety consequences faced by Massachusetts families, local businesses, and the climate, utilities like Eversource have nevertheless continued to advocate for gas expansion to ensure their profits. In 2022, Eversource reported $1.4 billion in profits, with much of the money coming off the back of Massachusetts ratepayers who already have trouble affording utility bills. By demanding utilities participate in the clean energy transition, the order by the Department of Public Utilities marks a much-needed victory over investor-owned utilities who time and time again put profits over public health and well-being.

Eversource has often misleadingly presented more gas infrastructure as the only way to provide the energy we need. Over the summer, the DPU publicly chastised Eversource for not examining clean alternatives before proposing added gas pipelines along a route in Longmeadow and Springfield. Eversource similarly failed to consider alternatives in the town of Douglas, where they hid gas expansion efforts from the public. Thankfully, the future of gas order allows zero tolerance for business as usual. Under the new order, utilities must prove that climate and health-friendly options like heat pumps are “non-viable and cost-prohibitive” before using funds from our energy bills for new gas projects.

The DPU decision makes even more strides toward lowering our state’s wallet-busting energy rates, especially for low-income and working families. The order stops utilities from charging ordinary ratepayers to market new gas expansion projects or to promote false solutions like “renewable” natural gas and other unproven “decarbonization strategies” meant to keep the gas system going and wealthy shareholders profiting.

Throughout the energy transition, the DPU plans to, and must, hold utilities accountable for results. Utilities will now be required to file climate compliance plans every five years, updating the state on how they are reducing emissions to reach state goals, decommissioning gas plants or pipelines, exploring electrification projects, and doing it all equitably and safely.

By 2026, each utility must propose at least one plan to decommission a faulty, unreliable area of its gas system or one located in an environmental justice community. This has the potential to benefit the health and safety of communities most impacted by the gas industry’s long history of pollution.

While a massive win, the future of gas order released here in Massachusetts is just the beginning.  We have the opportunity to lead the nation in a just transition away from toxic gas for good. The country is already paying attention. California, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington – so far – all have similar future of gas dockets open. This achievement, and whatever next steps are taken, will undoubtedly serve as a model for all other states engaged in similar conversations.

Over the years, thousands of advocates and activists, volunteers and experts have stepped up to open this docket and create the pressure needed for our state to take this step against fossil fuel dependence. Countless hours have been spent advocating for a pause on gas expansion and fighting proposed projects. We have signed petitions, attended rallies, voted for climate champions, and spoken to our decision makers, all so that we could celebrate this accomplishment together and continue the fight to get Massachusetts off fossil fuels for good.  We applaud the governor’s office for listening and positioning the Commonwealth for the future, not the past.

Vick Mohanka is the acting chapter director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club Chapter.

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