FAQs

The electric grid needs innovative upgrades to better support rising electricity needs and to reliably serve our communities in the face of climate change. Grid modernization is the process of updating the grid through new technologies, equipment, and controls.

Carefully planning a modernized grid supports the state’s efforts for clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for everyone.

Throughout the state, every town and city has a role to play in contributing to grid modernization discussions, promoting and installing new clean technologies, identifying cost-effective options for expanding the grid, and minimizing siting impacts from new infrastructure installations.

The current grid cannot support rapid electricity growth that we need to support our climate goals. To achieve the Commonwealth’s climate goals by 2050, we must double our electricity supply as more people adopt electric vehicles and transition from fossil fuels to electric heating. This requires modernizing our grid infrastructure to support the growing demand and ensure we stay on track with our climate commitments.

Learn more about clean energy technologies below.

• Heat pumps
• Solar
• Electric vehicles
• Offshore wind
• Smart meters

Electric Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs) serve as strategic roadmaps for upgrading the electric grid to support an affordable and equitable transition to clean energy. In January 2024, electric companies—Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil—submitted their initial plans. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) approved these first ESMPs, with modifications, in August 2024 and outlined several next steps for their implementation.

The electric companies are required to develop proactive plans to upgrade their electric distribution systems to:

• Improve grid reliability, communications, and resiliency;
• Enable increased, timely adoption of renewable energy and distributed energy resources (DERs);
• Promote energy storage and electrification technologies for decarbonization;
• Prepare for climate-driven impacts on transmission and distribution systems;
• Accommodate transportation and building electrification, and other new loads; &
• Minimize or mitigate impacts on ratepayers.

ESMPs are submitted to the Department of Public Utilities every 5 years.

Find your electricity service provider.

The GMAC is an interdisciplinary stakeholder advisory group that reviews and provides recommendations on the electric companies’ electric-sector modernization plans (ESMPs). The GMAC holds regular meetings to discuss Massachusetts grid planning elements that are open to the public.

Learn more about the GMAC.

Learn more about the GMAC members.

The GMAC and the ESMPs represent an opportunity for Massachusetts to increase transparency and broaden stakeholder engagement to the grid planning process. They will support better alignment of distribution system planning and investments with the state’s ambitious climate requirements and focus on equitably serving all residents.

Yes, members of the public are encouraged to attend GMAC meetings. Meetings take place on Zoom and a portion of the meeting is dedicated to hearing public comments. If you are curious about what was discussed at a GMAC meeting, minutes are posted on the website shortly after the meeting.

For language interpretation services at any GMAC full council or subcommittee meeting, please email MA-GMAC@mass.gov at least ten (10) business days in advance of the meeting. Interpretations can be made available in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language (ASL).

Members of the public are invited to comment during public comment periods of GMAC meetings. If you have a comment you wish to make on behalf of yourself or your organization, please email MA-GMAC@mass.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the GMAC meeting you wish to comment during with your name and affiliation. Speakers will have up to 3 minutes to speak on any topics of interest related to the GMAC. Once everyone who has pre-registered has provided comment, others may speak, as time allows.​

Members of the public may also send written comments at any time to MA-GMAC@mass.gov.

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