Who is the Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance?
The Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance (Mass Energy) is a 24-year old nonprofit organization dedicated to making energy more affordable and environmentally sustainable. We have a track record of negotiating good deals for energy consumers in the areas of heating oil, biodiesel, and solar energy. Today, Mass Energy is the state’s leading supplier of renewable energy to residential and small business customers.
What is the problem we are solving?
A serious lack of clean energy generation in New England. In particular, we need more wind turbines, which provide significant amounts of clean, renewable energy at a stable price. Currently, there is no windpower in the energy portfolio of the region’s major electricity suppliers.
What is our solution?
Establishment of the New England Wind FundSM, which will provide the financial support needed for wind project development. Even if your utility never buys windpower, you can help wind find a place on the New England power grid.
Why does the problem have to be solved now?
The economic and environmental costs of fossil fuels are rising. And there are a number of wind projects on the drawing boards throughout New England. The sooner we can ensure the financial viability of these projects, the sooner they will provide the benefits of clean, local renewable energy.
What is the best way for someone to help?
Make a 100% tax-deductible contribution to the New England Wind Fund and join our NEW Friends monthly program. You can offset your use of dirty electricity by contributing monthly for clean energy.
What are the benefits to me?
Mass Energy is participating in CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE, a program of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), a public agency of the Commonwealth and administrator of the Renewable Energy Trust. The New England Wind Fund allows you to make a worthy contribution, at a reduced cost, towards the development of renewable energy. CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE encourages the purchase of renewable energy certificates from renewable energy facilities that have been defined as “new” by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Are my contributions Tax Deductible?
Your contributions to the New England Wind Fund are 100% tax deductible if you itemize on your federal return. Through the CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE program, contributions for approved renewable energy certificates are recognized as charitable donations on behalf of the citizens of Massachusetts to the MTC for the purchase of renewable energy certificates. Those payments are recognized as tax-deductible charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Suppliers, such as Mass Energy, who participate in this program agree to abide by specified rigorous standards relative to information disclosure, pricing, and consumer protection.
How does the matching program work?
MTC will match your payments with two grants, each equal to 100% of your payments:
- One to your city or town for clean energy goods and services (communities served by municipal light plants are not eligible for these matching grants); and
- One to fund clean energy projects that benefit the state’s low-income residents.
Clean Energy Choice dollars have recently paid for solar panels on public schools in Boston, Northampton, and Shutesbury. They will soon do the same at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and at other locations around the state. More information about the Clean Energy Choice program can be found at masstech.org.
Mass Energy will gladly work with you and your community to raise matching funds. We can attend meetings and help stratgize ways to further leverage these funds. Don’t let your community miss out on matching grants! Contact Janna at 1-800-287-3950, xt129.
In addition an anonymous donor will also match the first $75,000 in contributions to the Fund back to the Fund.
How does someone join and contribute?
You can sign up online; by calling our office at 1-800-287-3950; or by returning a form via mail at 670 Centre St. Boston, MA 02130. You can contribute monthly, by having contributions taken from your bank account or credit card, or on a one-time basis. You can even give windpower as a gift, in memory of a loved one. You may also contribute to offset an event or transportation.
Can businesses and organizations participate?
Any person or organization may participate, including businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits. For example, the first contributors to the Fund were students at Clark University in Worcester. We may be able to tailor something to your organization’s specific interests.
Where will the wind turbines be built?
Our preference is for projects in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where we have membership. In Massachusetts, there is a community wind program. However, because all electricity consumers in New England are part of a regional grid, we will consider projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut.
How many wind turbines will be built?
It mostly depends upon how much is contributed to the Fund. This is a long-term initiative and we intend on supporting one project after another. We will leverage other sources of financing to stretch your contribution further.
Who will build and own the projects?
We will consider proposals from developers and select projects that meet our criteria. We will give strong preference to “community wind” projects that are being led by a local municipality or community-based organizations. It is possible that Mass Energy will develop a project on its own, but only if it would result in a better return on contributions.
How will the projects be selected?
The staff and board of directors of Mass Energy will consider proposals and evaluate them on a few criteria: Acceptance within the local community, careful review of potential environmental impacts (i.e. potential impacts on birds), price, and likelihood of coming on-line in the near future if funding is provided.
How exactly will my contribution be spent?
Wind turbines earn revenue primarily from two sources: by selling electricity, and by selling “renewable energy certificates” (RECs). The purpose of RECs is to provide generators with the additional revenue they need to get on the grid in competition with fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are given huge subsidies and tax breaks, and have less up front costs in construction, thereby making new wind power more expensive. Yet it is crucial to develop wind power now. Mass Energy will make payments from the New England Wind Fund to generators for RECs. We will use the Wind Fund to pay a generator what they need to be financially viable, but the generators will be paid for performance and carry the risk of failure. As mentioned above, Mass Energy will consider proposals from a number of projects and choose those that offer the best overall value.
When will my money be spent?
By agreement with the Mass. Technology Collaborative, a state agency, Mass Energy will sign at least one contract with a wind generator by 2008. Contributions to the New England Wind Fund will be paid out to the generator over a period not to exceed ten years. Mass Energy will determine the term based upon what the project needs to go forward. Generally speaking, projects need at least 10 years of certain revenue, but if the project has other customers, the term for our contract may be shorter than if the New England Wind Fund is the sole customer.
Will this help with global warming?
Yes, in our New England power grid, every megawatt hour of windpower displaces a megawatt hour of fossil fuel generation, thus reducing about 1100 lbs. of carbon dioxide emissions. Every $50 will result in about one megawatt hour of windpower. However, there are other important benefits to developing wind projects in New England, such as local job creation and adding needed supply to our region’s grid that we would not receive from supporting projects outside the region. Source: 2004 New England Marginal Emission Rate Analysis
Is there a way I can invest in windpower?
Many countries have laws that make it easier and simpler to invest in windpower than in the U.S. Nonetheless, Mass Energy is working on options for small investors (i.e., $1,000 to $25,000). We have no timetable, but if you have an interest, please email your name, address and phone number to
, and we will let you know if and when we have a plan.
Does the New England Wind Fund have anything to do with Cape Wind?
No. Mass Energy has taken the position that it supports the Cape Wind project contingent upon completion of avian impact studies that are now being conducted by the Mass. Audubon Society. However, Mass Energy has no business interest in Cape Wind and the projects we support will be much smaller and in proportion to the Fund’s resources.
Can I support renewable energy through my monthly utility bill?
Currently, National Grid allows Mass Energy to provide renewable energy to its customers through the monthly utility bill. If you are a National Grid customer, contact Mass Energy for further information about our New England GreenStartSM program.
Mass Energy hopes to offer a similar program to customers of NSTAR and Western Mass. Electric. Meanwhile, the New England Wind Fund accomplishes the same goals, and is the simplest way to make a big impact.
Also, customers on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard may participate in the Cape Light Compact GreenSM program.
Can I help promote New England Wind Fund?
Yes! Your support is important to us. You can send an e-mail to friends and family by clicking here. You may also volunteer by e-mailing
or calling Janna at 1-800-287-3950, xt129.
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