Celebrating Milestones

Acadia Center, dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions for a sustainable future, celebrates significant 2023 milestones. With data-driven analysis and inclusive collaborations, we've propelled impactful economic and environmental policies to reduce regional carbon emissions. Collaborating across government, industry, grassroots organizations, and communities, we've pioneered solutions for systemic energy challenges, prioritizing equity and amplifying unheard voices. Addressing air quality, housing, and energy costs, and equity remains pivotal for our clean energy future. Despite these challenges, exciting strides have been made. Read on to discover some of Acadia Center’s progress in 2023, as we prepare to make even greater strides in the year to come.

Expertise that Educates, Informs, and Promotes Change

Acadia Center experts are consistently generating high-quality climate solutions, and are often called on to communicate to partners, governmental organizations, and communities about the climate solutions we’ve envisioned. This year, our staff appeared on panels, gave keynote speeches, educated working groups, and authored reports that illustrate our vision for a clean energy future for all.

2023 Educational Accomplishments

RGGI Third Program Review: Innovative Research for multi-state action on climate and Environmental Justice
The Future is Electric: Providing Data and Analysis to educate decision makers
Climate Week : Conducting public education through Public Forums
Detailed recommendations to FERC: Making the power grid work for climate and people

More Educational Accomplishments

  • Panelist at Isles Forum – Building Electrification: Next Steps for Healthy Homes and Cleaner Climate
  • Attended FERC New England Winter Gas-Electric Forum
  • Presented on SB 7 and Performance-Based Regulation proceeding to the nation-wide Utility Business Innovation Network
  • Panelist at the Northeast Climate and Energy Funders Meeting on bringing RGGI into the Modern Era
  • Participated in webinar hosted by Litz Energy Strategies on RGGI market mechanisms (ECR/CCR)
  • Presented in University of Rhode Island’s Energy Lecture Series on energy efficiency recommendations based on our participation in Rhode Island Energy’s Energy Efficiency Technical Working Group and Energy Efficiency Equity Working Group
  • Panelist on Hydropower and Sustainability at Climate Week NYC 
  • Presented at Building Decarbonization Coalition’s National Policy Call: Massachusetts on the status of the Clean Heat Standard development in Massachusetts and design elements of the regulation 
  • Presented to the New England Municipal Sustainability Network (NEMS) regarding ISO New England and NEPOOL 
  • Keynote speaker on Latine and Puerto Rican Voices for Climate Action hosted by Save the Sound 
  • Moderated panel at the Connecticut Public Health Association Conference on Environmental Justice 
  • Panelist at Docket No. 22-01-NG Investigation into the Future of the Regulated Gas Distribution Business Technical Conference 
  • Making the power grid work for climate and people, detailed recommendation to FERC to reform outdated electric grid.

Spurring Governmental Progress

Acadia Center knows that real climate change progress must be made at the local, state, and national levels. The passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act paved the way for more state progress in 2023, and Acadia Center promoted change in state houses throughout the region ensuring new climate opportunities could be coded into law and barriers to progress were opposed.

Legislative Accomplishments in 2023

Testified and Commented in over 30 proceedings throughout the region
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Successfully advanced the GMAC, a comprehensive stakeholder board to overhaul the grid
Successfully lobbied for the passage of Offshore Wind Bill, authorizing procurement of 3000 MW of offshore wind energy, and ensures industry opportunity for all Maine workers and employers.
Pressed for the successful creation of Massachusetts’ Green Bank for affordable housing

More Legislative Accomplishments

  • Successfully stopped legislation that would have placed a year-long moratorium on all renewable energy projects permitting in Maine–Successfully advanced a comprehensive stakeholder board to overhaul the grid
  • Successfully opposed legislation that would have eliminated Net Energy Billing in Maine 
  • Successfully lobbied for the passage of a compromise bill on Net Energy Billing 
  • Successfully lobbied for the passage of Offshore Wind Bill, authorizing procurement of 3000 MW 
  • Lobbied for support for renewable energy transmission line from Northern Maine South 
  • Successfully lobbied for a bill supporting 21st century electric grid 
  • Informed plans for PURA proceedings for 2024 around performance mechanisms, included report metrics, scorecards, and PIMs 
  • Met with Secretary Tepper, getting him to commit regular future meetings between her administration and the TCE table 
  • Inspired Rhode Island state administrators to explore a vehicle census with the DMV 
  • Met with the Secretary of DEP in Massachusetts to discuss a Clean Heat Standard and setting up technical sessions based on Acadia Center recommendations 
  • Advanced the creation of Massachusetts’ Green Bank for affordable housing 
  • Participated in technical meetings on Massachusetts’ grid modernization proceedings, pushing for the consideration of performance metrics and cautioning against poorly designed performance incentives 
  • Pushed for the creation of Massachusetts’ Green Bank for affordable housing 
  • Participated in technical meetings on Massachusetts’ grid modernization proceedings, pushing for the consideration of performance metrics and cautioning against poorly designed performance incentives 

Coalition Work and Outreach

The health of the climate affects everyone, and Acadia Center believes all voices are important in finding solutions. Our staff prioritizes working in coalition with communities and stakeholder groups. We stay at the table to ensure practical, real-world solutions are prioritized and seek to support the inclusion of underserved communities in the conversation.

Collaborative Accomplishments in 2023

Kyle Murray was sworn in as a member of the Equity Working Group for the Grid Modernization Advisory Council in Massachusetts, and was appointed to the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council
Jayson Velazquez was appointed as the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board Environmental Representative and obtained a seat on the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council Energy Subcommittee.
Reconvened coalition of transportation climate advocates in response to RIDOT's Carbon Reduction Strategy
Obtained the support of 35 organizations on a comprehensive 22-page document outlining our vision of a successful Clean Heat Standard that includes adequate equity protections and an electrification-only compliance program.

More Collaborative Accomplishments

  • Signed onto the Advanced Clean Cars letter in Massachusetts 
  • Signed onto the Joint Letter Recommending Transportation Revenue Solutions in Massachusetts 
  • Gave a briefing to reporters on ISO-NE and winter reliability issues 
  • Contributed to comment letter with coalition partners on a proposed clean heat standard in Massachusetts 
  • Drafted sign-on letter about the termination of the offshore wind contracts in Massachusetts 
  • Got an Equity Working Group added to the Grid Modernization Advisory Council in Massachusetts 
  • Participated in the Drive Electric Event on Sunday in Portland 
  • Had Acadia Center’s recommendations to the utilities for their electric sector modernization plans accepted by the Grid Modernization Advisory Council 
  • Submitted a comment letter on behalf of the RGGI advocates for the Third Program Review 
  • Held educational briefings on RESPECT with Massachusetts Senator Creem 
  • Held an introductory meeting with the new Massachusetts DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand 
  • Reconvened coalition of transportation climate advocates in response to RIDOT’s Carbon Reduction Strategy 
  • Provided various introductions and ideas for outreach and engagement to sub-contractor, ENCOLOR, for the launch of Rhode Island’s heat pump program 
  • Facilitated conversations between economic advocates of rate reform and environmental advocates of electrification in Rhode Island 
  • Encouraged and supported the participation of other stakeholders in Rhode Island’s Energy’s energy efficiency and system reliability procurement working groups 

Press Coverage

Acadia Center is a well-respected and trustworthy source of clean energy and climate information, reflected in our consistent press coverage from major outlets. From sources trusted in communities like the Boston Globe, Providence Journal, and Toronto Globe and Mail to those sought by industry insiders like RTO Insider and Energy News Network, our experts are called on to provide thought leadership on how our world must change for the good of the climate. This year alone we were quoted in news reports 122 times, a significant opportunity to offer our expertise to a wider audience.

Thanks to you

Thanks to Acadia Center friends and supporters, this work is possible. Please stay in touch and help us advance the clean energy future.

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