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Reports and Papers
Energy
Maintaining a Reliable Supply of Natural Gas During Uncertain Times
Natural gas is the cleanest burning, most efficient fossil fuel available—and North America has abundant deposits. This paper explained New England’s need for natural gas, gave an overview of the infrastructure that assures delivery, and the steps taken by the gas industry as a result of September 11th.
Nuclear Energy in New England
By providing reliable, base-load capacity, New England’s nuclear energy plants are the backbone of the region’s electrical grid. This paper advocated the role of these plants and their immense value to a region with some of the nation’s highest electricity costs. Highlighted were their dependable source of fuel, low operating costs and consequent efficient generation of power, and their contributions to greenhouse gas-reduction goals.
A Reference Guide on Liquefied Natural Gas
This guide helped representatives of an energy company better communicate their Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) story to the media, elected officials, civic leaders, and the general public. It was also used internally to bring employees up to speed on the basics of LNG.
Electricity Industry Restructuring in Massachusetts: After the Revolution, the Evolution
With the passage of the Massachusetts Electric Industry Restructuring Act in 1997, the Commonwealth became one of the first states in the nation to restructure its highly regulated electric industry. In providing an overview of the restructuring progress, this white paper served as a guide to legislators and policymakers as they fine-tuned policies to achieve all the goals of restructuring.
Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Development in New England: Value Through Reliability, Economic and Environmental Benefits
The region’s transmission system serves two vital roles. In its traditional role, the system ensures the reliable, bulk flow of electricity from power plants to population centers. In the system’s equally important newer role, it also facilitates the wholesale electricity market for trading and delivery. This paper highlighted the value and importance of expanding and upgrading the transmission system on behalf of both reliable electricity and wholesale competition.
The Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard: Context, Implementation and Considerations
The 1997 Massachusetts Electric Utility Restructuring Act directed the Commonwealth to establish a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS). The act had two chief purposes: to guide the renewable industry towards increasing sustainability and to achieve over time a more diverse, environmentally sound electricity supply. This paper, written for a lay audience of policymakers, business leaders and the media, provided an overview of the act’s purpose, design and implementation.
Environmental
Coal Ash: An Environmentally Compatible By-Product of Electricity Generation
Coal generates more than half of the United State’s electricity. Coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion that contains carbon and other natural minerals, can be handled two ways: recycled to extract its benefits or managed in landfills. This coal ash primer informed regulators, policymakers and community leaders on the chemical characteristics of coal ash and its beneficial uses, management methods, and the federal and state regulations that govern it.
An Evaluation of Impacts on Fish Populations in the Narragansett Bay Ecosystem: A Summary of Applicable Scientific Research
Considerable concern about the decline in the population of several specifies of finfish in the Narragansett Bay ecosystem led to the preparation of this paper. It summarized the results of 40 years of extensive scientific research and analysis conducted on the bay’s ecosystem and what the findings signified.
Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants: A Reference Guide on Environmental Issues
This energy company internal reference provided factual and anecdotal environmental information on behalf of more effective communications with the media, government officials and public.
Responsible Nuclear Waste Disposal: An Unmet Obligation
This white paper focused on the economic impact and other consequences of the Department of Energy’s failure to remove used fuel from shutdown nuclear plants. It included a variety of comments from government entities, labor and civic organizations, and leading newspapers.
The Role of Nuclear Energy in Reducing CO2 Emissions in the Northeastern United States
Nine states in the Northeast aimed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electric generation sector through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). As their governments discussed a mandatory cap on electric power sector CO2 emissions, this analysis aided their efforts by assessing how such a program would affect electric generation portfolio diversity. Analysis found that RGGI would require a major change to the electric supply infrastructure, and drew attention to nuclear power’s role in emissions reduction goals.
Policy
Blueprint for Growth: The Infrastructure Agenda—Legislative Priorities and Regional Projects in the Commonwealth
With input from business associations, private and public sector leaders and industry groups, the Blueprint for Growth was designed to take a pro-active approach to economic development policymaking in Massachusetts. It highlighted principles adopted by the Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development to promote sustainable development and smart growth and reinforced the importance of a comprehensive infrastructure strategy to ensure that transportation, water, telecommunications and energy systems were all in place as foundations for a strong economy.
Building Partnerships for the Future
To help close a state’s budget deficit, this position paper highlighted the benefits of public-private partnerships to combine the strength of both sectors to provide the most cost effective delivery of services and infrastructure.
Cutting Spending and Shrinking State Bureaucracy
This position paper outlined how to get back on track towards a strong economy in four areas: closing the deficit, restructuring state employee pensions and salaries, making government more efficient, and reforming approaches to big ticket items such as school construction and human services.
Massachusetts Health Care Reform: A Backgrounder on Legislative Proposals and Initiatives
The Massachusetts health care system was at a crossroads. Long-standing problems of affordability and accessibility had converged with a federal deadline to make reform a major priority. To enhance the employer community’s understanding of this complex subject, this backgrounder identified the differences among the gubernatorial, senate, and house plans all before the legislature—and summarized particular aspects of each to be watched closely in the health care debate that followed, which resulted in the passage of Massachusetts Health Care Reform.
Rebuilding Our Economy and Bringing Back Jobs
Many creative and aggressive actions are needed to retain and attract the jobs of tomorrow. This position paper outlined proposals that would harness the energy of state government to help create private sector jobs to bolster economic recovery.
