The Clean Energy Standard (CES) was created to assist in reaching Massachusetts’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals adopted pursuant to the Climate Protection and Green Economy Act. The CES requires retail electricity sellers to demonstrate on an annual basis the use of clean energy for the generation of specific electricity sale percentages.

Clean Generation Resources

The CES allows two types of clean generation resources, those from existing units and those from new units. Clean existing generation refers to existing nuclear and hydroelectric generating units that have a capacity of more than 30 MW, started operations before 2011, and are

Note: In mid-July 2024, the Department of Energy Resources filed an emergency rulemaking that made immediate rule changes to the Clean Peak Energy Standard, including adding a near-term resource multiplier and amending the minimum standards for 2025 and thereafter. Further rule changes were then made in mid-October 2024 via a follow-on emergency rulemaking that amended ACP rates, among other things. An RFP was issued on July 31, 2025, to procure CPECs, and subsequent RFPs will be issued every two years.

On August 9, 2018, An Act to Advance Clean Energy (H.B. 4857) was signed into law, requiring the

On April 15, 2020, the New Orleans City Council adopted a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS) via Resolution R-20-104, with the goal to eliminate carbon emissions in 2050 and reach net-zero emissions in 2040. Entergy New Orleans must follow the standard.

Eligible Technologies and Resources

RCPS eligibility is broken down into three tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 resources.

Tier 1 resources are any renewable energy resources (solar thermal, PV, wind, geothermal, fuel cell using renewable, hydroelectric, ocean wave, ocean thermal, tidal current, any additions/enchantments to such facilities), certain energy storage resources (batteries, flow batteries, fuel

In July 2008, Governor Patrick signed a major energy reform bill, the Green Communities Act (S.B. 2768). As part of that legislation, Massachusetts created the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS), which requires meeting 5% of the state's electric load with "alternative energy" by 2020 (as shown below). The requirement increases by 0.25% after 2020 per compliance year.

• 1.00% by 2009
• 1.50% by 2010
• 2.00% by 2011
• 2.50% by 2012
• 3.00% by 2013
• 3.50% by 2014
• 3.75% by 2015
• 4.00% by 2016
• 4.25% by 2017
• 4.50% by 2018
• 4.75% by 2019
• 5.00% by 2020

The “alternative energy generating sources” include

*Note: Applications closed on October 13, 2023.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Grant State Clean Fleets (GSCF) program is a competitive grant program for municipalities, public school districts, public colleges/universities, and transit districts that want to replace old diesel vehicles/engines/equipment diesel and EV models. The program has a total of $10 million available (partially funded by the state's Volkswagen Trust) for EV and EVSE technologies, as well as energy storage and renewable energy resources (solar, hydroelectric, and wind) to supply power to the EVSE. Grant awards vary based on the project.

To learn more about this opportunity you

Southern Public Power District offers rebates to residential and commercial customers for the installation of EV chargers and wiring equipment. For more information, visit the program website.

Austin Utilities offers incentives to its commercial and industrial customers for the installation of energy-efficient equipment in eligible facilities. Rebates are available for lighting equipment, HVAC equipment, anti-sweat heater controls for cooler/freezer doors, motors, variable speed drives, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), food service equipment, and finally custom and electric measures.Austin Utilities can also help examine a customer's potential energy and money saving options by identifying rebate amounts and estimated payback time. Applications must be submitted and approved before the new equipment is installed. Rebates are available until funds are exhausted for the calendar year.

Note: Applications can be submitted for smart thermostats purchased/installed on or after November 1, 2024.

Alabama Power Co. is an electric utility that serves over 1.4 million customers' electricity. Alabama Power Co. offers a rebate to customers who want to purchase a smart thermostat. This rebate will be available for a limited time only. Contact the utility or visit the program website for more information.

Questar Gas provides rebates to its business customers for installing energy efficient food service equipment, laundry equipment, HVAC and water heating equipment, and certain weatherization measures. Some equipment rebates vary depending on the efficiency level of the equipment. Applications and more details are available through the web site listed above. 

In March 2007, West Virginia enacted legislation (SB 441) amending its tax law concerning the business and operation (B&O) tax for wind turbines. Although SB 441 increased the taxable value of wind turbine generating capacity, the taxation level is still significantly lower than that of most other types of electricity generation. For most types of newly constructed electricity-generating units, the B&O tax is calculated by multiplying a pre-determined dollar amount by 40% of the nameplate capacity rating of the generating unit. However, the B&O tax on wind turbines is multiplied by only 12% of the nameplate capacity rating