It’s time for an energy system that doesn’t waste ratepayer money on fossil fuel peaker plants.
Our regional energy grid operators, ISO-NE, continue to operate a "forward capacity auction" that guarantees power plants funding into the future. This year's auction guaranteed $780 million out of our electric bills to fossil-fueled power plants. Around $350 million of that is earmarked for fossil fuel generators who are only activated an average of 12.5 days a year!
It's time to move the transition to clean energy along instead of continuing to operate the energy market with rules that were made when fossil fueled electricity was just getting started.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) now has to approve ISO-NE's forward capacity auction results - but we believe that these results violate ISO's mandate. So we're submitting this comment to FERC:
"Dear FERC Commissioners,
On behalf of the No Coal No Gas campaign, we are writing to ask that you reject the results of ISO-New England’s 18th Forward Capacity Auction (FCA 18). These results are in violation of ISO-NE’s tariff and mandate to “protect the health of the region’s economy and the well-being of its people by ensuring the constant availability of competitively-priced wholesale electricity – today and for future generations.” FCA 18’s award of nearly $350 million in forward capacity payments to fossil fuel peaker plants is a clear violation of this mission. Fossil fuel peaker plants are expensive, unreliable, and a clear threat to the wellbeing of New England Ratepayers, both now and in the future. We call on the Federal Energy Regulatory to reject FCA 18’s payments to these plants. "
Read the rest of our statement here and SIGN ON BELOW so we can show ISO-NE that New England residents are tired of their "fuel neutrality" and fossil fuel favored systems.
watch the highlights from our 2021 Mass Action at the coal plant
WE WON! The only viable path forward for them has to be clean, renewable energy. Granite Shore Power may claim this is a voluntary move on their part, but we know that they’ve changed their public position on coal after the immense grassroots support for a transition to clean energy.
While we came out that day last October to call for a just transition for the coal plant and the surrounding community, we were swiftly reminded of the power that the state has to repress free speech, and the lengths that it will go to to stop even symbolic representations of the future we want (and need) to create.
As the lists of permit violations and indications of financial insolvency continue to grow, community pressure to shut down the coal plant also builds. The No Coal No Gas campaign has shown up at the plant, in the surrounding community, and at energy regulatory meetings, determined to shut down the polluting coal plant.
What a year it’s been for No Coal No Gas - The end of the coal plant’s life is near and our work to transition it to clean energy is ramping up. Read on about the awesome work our friends have done this year.
We are here today to call for a just transition of Merrimack Station for land and people, so that this place can support life instead of destroy it. A different future is possible and through our action today we hope to show what that might look like.
Prosecutor dismisses “Loitering and Prowling” case of climate activist.
Listen to Leif’s comments to ISO-NE about their tariff, their mandate, and their responsibility to ratepayers.
No Coal No Gas responds to ISO-NE’s proposed budget increase - where lobbying, millionaires salaries, and a new position are included…