THE ENERGY IS ABOUT TO SHIFT

New England's energy transition requires a massive shift from fossil fuel reliance to a decarbonized grid, with peak electricity demand projected to double to 55 GW by 2050. The report argues for a 'clean energy portfolio approach' combining solar, offshore wind, energy storage, and interregional transmission to ensure reliability and affordability. It highlights significant sociopolitical barriers, including community opposition and outdated permitting processes, and recommends comprehensive state-level reforms and proactive community engagement to accelerate deployment.

• New England's electricity demand is projected to increase significantly by 2050, with annual end-use electric load rising by 106% to approximately 241 TWh and peak demand doubling from 27.3 GW to 55 GW.
• The region's peak electricity demand is expected to shift from summer to winter by the 2030s, primarily driven by the proliferation of heat pumps for space heating.
• To meet 2050 goals, installed electric generation capacity must increase from 43 GW to 145 GW, with solar (51 GW) and offshore wind (36 GW) becoming the dominant resources.
• Offshore wind is identified as a critical resource for winter reliability, as it can provide significant power during extreme cold events when other resources may be constrained.
• Expanding interregional transmission, particularly bidirectional links with Canada and New York, is essential to reduce the amount of required in-region generation and lower wholesale market prices.
• The report recommends a 'clean energy portfolio approach' that integrates supply-side resources with demand-side solutions like energy efficiency and weatherization to manage peak loads.
• Siting and permitting processes in New England are often fragmented and lack capacity, leading to project delays and community opposition, as seen in the case of the Johnston Winsor III Solar project.
• Land use conflicts are prevalent, particularly regarding the conversion of agricultural and forested land for solar development, prompting a need for 'agrivoltaics' and prioritizing 'preferred sites' like brownfields.
• Vested interests in the fossil fuel industry are actively opposing the transition through lobbying and funding 'astroturfing' organizations to fight offshore wind and transmission projects.
• The report advocates for comprehensive permitting reform, including the creation of non-discretionary standards and increased technical support for local governments to streamline the deployment of clean energy.

APA

Butterworth, B., Dickerson, J., Falkenburg, N., & Manitius, N. (2024). THE ENERGY IS ABOUT TO SHIFT. Clean Air Task Force. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24202357/energy-shift-report.pdf

Chicago

Butterworth, Ben, Jamie Dickerson, Nelson Falkenburg, and Natalie Manitius. THE ENERGY IS ABOUT TO SHIFT. Clean Air Task Force, 2024. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24202357/energy-shift-report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Butterworth |first1=Ben |last2=Dickerson |first2=Jamie |last3=Falkenburg |first3=Nelson |last4=Manitius |first4=Natalie |title=THE ENERGY IS ABOUT TO SHIFT |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=2024 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24202357/energy-shift-report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{butterworth2024energy, author = {Butterworth, Ben and Dickerson, Jamie and Falkenburg, Nelson and Manitius, Natalie}, title = {{THE ENERGY IS ABOUT TO SHIFT}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2024}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24202357/energy-shift-report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }