eMPower Millis is committed to supporting the growth of new, local renewable energy in our region. The state of Massachusetts has progressive policies that require everyone to use more renewable energy over time, however, the pace of change needs to be faster to mitigate the effects of climate change. eMPower Millis is leveraging the buying power of our community to bring more clean electricity to our residents and businesses.
A Green Option for Everyone
eMPower Millis’ default option, Millis Regular, has five percent (5%) extra renewable energy included, above and beyond the state requirements.
Participating in Millis Regular makes you a climate leader. There are two other electricity options, one that adds 50% (Millis Green) and one that adds 100% (Millis Green+) more renewable energy to let you take an even bigger step in the fight against climate change.
Increase your clean energy!
The Sources of Extra Renewable Energy
All of the extra renewable energy in the eMPower Millis program qualifies as MA Class I, and is provided through the local non-profit, Green Energy Consumers Alliance. Purchasing through Green Energy Consumers Alliance provides two important benefits for our renewable energy:
From New England
MA Class I renewable energy can come from New England or adjacent parts of Canada and New York. eMPower Millis sources its extra renewable energy exclusively from within New England. We’re helping to keep our energy impact local, supporting New England’s clean energy economy. See below for a map of sources.
From Zero-Emission or Methane-Destroying Sources
eMPower Millis’ extra renewable electricity only comes from zero emission sources, such as solar, wind, low impact hydropower1, and sources that destroy methane, such as anaerobic digestion. Methane has a global warming potential (GWP) 28-36 times greater than CO2 over a 100 year period2. Combustion destroys methane and releases some CO2, resulting in a net reduction in GWP. Other forms of biomass are explicitly not purchased, due to their positive emissions of CO2 during their life cycles.
Resources that are part of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance portfolio.
Helping to Build Clean Energy
Massachusetts requires all energy suppliers to include a minimum amount of MA Class I renewable energy that increases annually. If the supplier does not meet these requirements, the supplier is required to pay a penalty. This policy, called the Renewable Portfolio Standard, provides growing demand for renewable energy, which incentivizes new renewable generation facilities to be built. By purchasing a significant quantity of extra MA Class I renewable energy, Millis is incentivizing even more renewable energy generation development in New England.
How big is our impact?
Many other cities and towns are joining with Millis to implement the same type of electricity aggregation program, amplifying the impact on the renewable electricity market. In fact, recent estimates suggest that fully 10% of the entire MA Class I markets will soon be voluntarily purchased by municipal aggregations, like eMPower Millis, going above and beyond state requirements.
What Are RECs and Why We Need Them
When electricity generated by renewable sources – such as solar and wind – is put onto our regional electricity grid, it becomes mixed in with and indistinguishable from the other electricity on the grid. It is not possible to physically separate out renewable electricity from the grid mix for your individual consumption.
As a result, a tracking system, called Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), has been created to enable the purchase and use of renewable electricity. For every one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity generated, one REC is created. In order to use renewable electricity, one must purchase a quantity of RECs equal to the amount of electricity purchased from the grid. Once used, a REC is retired so that no one else can purchase that same REC or claim to use it.
1Hydro projects that do not exceed 30 MW built after 1997 or have capacity additions or efficiency improvements made after 1997 (MA Class I eligible), and Low Impact Hydro Institute (LIHI) certified.
2Environmental Protection Agency. Understanding Global Warming Potentials. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/understanding-global-warming-potentials