225 C.M.R. 15.07 – Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Class II

(1) RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard. The total annual sales of each Retail Electricity Product sold to Massachusetts End-use Customers by a Retail Electricity Supplier, under contracts executed or extended on or after January 1, 2009, shall include a minimum percentage of electrical energy sales with RPS Class II Renewable Generation Attributes. The RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard shall be calculated as follows:
1. (a) The following table reflects the RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standards in effect from 2009 through 2021:
  Compliance Year RPS Class II Renewable
  Generation Minimum Standard
  2009 3.60%
  2010 3.60%
  2011 3.60%
  2012 3.60%
  2013 1.50%
  2014 1.75%
  2015 2.00%
  2016 2.5319%
  2017 2.5909%
  2018 2.6155%
  2019 2.6883%
  2020 3.2056%
  2021 3.5634%
2. (b) For each Compliance Year after 2021, the Department shall announce the RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard no later than August 31st two years prior to the Compliance Year. The RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard shall be determined by the following formula:
The RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard for each Compliance Year (CY) shall be equal to the RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard for the prior Compliance Year (CY-1), plus the number of RPS Class II Renewable Generation Attributes settled for compliance in Compliance Year three years prior (CY-3), divided by the total MWh of electrical energy sales by Retail Electricity Suppliers to End-use Customers in Compliance Year three years prior (CY-3), minus the number of RPS Class II Renewable Generation Attributes settled for compliance in Compliance Year four years prior (CY-4) divided by the total MWh of electrical energy sales by Retail Electricity Suppliers to End-use Customers in Compliance Year four years prior (CY-4). For the purpose of these calculations, the total MWh of electrical energy sales by Retail Electricity Suppliers to End-use Customers shall be determined in the manner specified in 225 CMR 15.09(2)(a), and Attributes settled for compliance in a given Compliance Year shall be represented by the total of all RPS Class II qualified GIS Certificates that are determined by the Department to qualify for RPS Class II Renewable Energy compliance in the Compliance Year in which the energy that they signify was generated.
1. (c) Notwithstanding the calculation in 225 CMR 15.07(1)(b), the RPS Class II Renewable Generation Minimum Standard shall not exceed 3.6% of the Total Electrical Energy Sales to End-use Customers, as provided in 225 CMR 15.09(2)(a).
(2) RPS Class II Waste Energy Minimum Standard. The total annual sales of each Retail Electricity Product sold to Massachusetts End-use Customers by a Retail Electricity Supplier, under contracts executed or extended on or after January 1, 2009, shall include a minimum percentage of electrical energy sales with RPS Class II Waste Energy Generation Attributes. The RPS Class II Waste Energy Minimum Standard shall be equal to 3.5% of electrical energy sales in the Compliance Years 2009 through 2020. In Compliance Years 2021 through 2025, the RPS Class II Waste Energy Minimum Standard shall be equal to 3.7% of electrical energy sales. In 2026 and all subsequent Compliance Years, the RPS Class II Waste Energy Minimum Standard shall be equal to 3.5% of electrical energy sales. Beginning in 2025 and every five years thereafter, the Department shall conduct a review of the RPS Class II Waste Energy Minimum Standard and consult with MassDEP on the standard to ensure consistency with the solid waste master plan. Following stakeholder comment and input on the review of the RPS Class II Waste Energy Minimum Standard, the Department may modify the Minimum Standard for the following five years.