BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced a three-year, $40 million energy efficiency partnership with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Eversource and National Grid.
This partnership will reduce energy consumption across dozens of MBTA stations and facilities, reduce MBTA operating costs, enhance rider experience through improved lighting and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The announcement was made by Governor Charlie Baker during a ceremony at the Charles-MGH station in Boston.
“Energy efficiency is the most effective way to save money on energy bills and we are proud it is a top priority for state government and the utility industry,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through this partnership, the MBTA will implement energy efficiency measures across the transit system that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs while improving the quality of facilities for riders.”
“Our focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and costs has helped make Massachusetts a national leader in energy efficiency,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This public-private partnership will strengthen that leadership while also enhancing customer experience and safety with improved and increased lighting across dozens of MBTA stations.”
This initiative will reduce MBTA electricity use by seven percent or an estimated 30 million kWh annually, an amount equivalent to the electricity use of 3,947 Massachusetts homes. These projects are also estimated to annually reduce MBTA energy costs by $2.7 million and greenhouse gas emissions by 10,000 metric tons.
“The Baker-Polito Administration is pleased to partner with Eversource and National Grid to reduce energy consumption and operating costs for the MBTA,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in energy efficiency as we collaborate with public and private stakeholders in transportation, technology, and building sectors as well as energy providers to support our collective energy reduction goals.”
The MBTA will invest approximately $30 million in projects at dozens of MBTA properties including parking lots and garages, maintenance facilitates, bus yards and train stations. The energy efficiency projects will include LED lighting and lighting controls, upgrading HVAC equipment and building automation controls.
The Department Energy Resources’ (DOER) Leading by Example program will provide $3.5 million in funding to improve the cost-effectiveness of the MBTA’s energy efficiency projects. Eversource and National Grid will provide additional incentives to the MBTA in the amount of $0.30 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) saved from the energy efficiency projects. Based on the targeted energy reductions, the utility incentives are estimated to total approximately $9 million.
“The Commonwealth is striving with a number of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases and conserve electricity and we are pleased that the MBTA is taking steps in that direction,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “These energy efficiency improvements are a prime example of how public agencies and utility companies can come together to collaborate and make infrastructure improvements which will lead to a sustainable future.”
“This partnership involving the MBTA, Department of Energy Resources, and our utilities partners, National Grid and Eversource, will result in a cleaner, more energy efficient T, and a more accessible experience for our customers,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “Thank you to DOER, National Grid, and Eversource for your substantial investments and incentives to upgrade and expand energy efficiency at more than 50 locations across the MBTA system.”
High-efficiency LED lighting has a much longer lifetime than bulbs currently in use by the MBTA, resulting in substantially reduced replacement costs and enabling the MBTA to use maintenance staff more efficiently. A more streamlined operation will result with the storage and management of fewer types of bulbs, also freeing up more space in MBTA storage locations. MBTA customers will also benefit from this initiative through better and increased lighting, enhancing the customer experience.
“DOER is proud to collaborate with state and utility partners through our Leading by Example Program to provide the funding and technical assistance to support these investments in energy efficiency and advanced technologies,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “These investments mean real savings – not only in emissions and energy use, but also in operational costs for years to come.”
“The partnership with DOER and MBTA takes a holistic, strategic approach to deliver year-after-year energy and cost savings to the MBTA,” said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency Tilak Subrahmanian. “It also ensures that the MBTA has the necessary resources and support – both technical and financial – to create a more sustainable transportation system, which will benefit the Commonwealth and beyond.”
“Today’s announcement is one example of how National Grid is expanding its focus to develop more strategic partnerships with our customers – in this case customers with a portfolio of buildings – to help them meet their broader energy and environmental goals,” said National Grid Vice President of Customer Solutions, John Isberg. “It’s exciting to think of the impact this partnership will have in reducing energy, which will result in lasting benefits for our community and environment.”
The Leading by Example (LBE) program is administered by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and works collaboratively with state agencies and public colleges and universities to advance clean energy and sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations.
DOER’s funding for this initiative is available through proceeds from the Renewable Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) as well as Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) paid by retail electric suppliers that do not meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance obligations through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.
