The Request for Proposal (RFP) Drafting Parties welcome public comments on a pricing mechanism to be incorporated in the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the fourth-round solicitation for offshore wind energy projects under Section 83C (83C Round 4). On May 2, 2023, the draft RFP was submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (Department) and may be found at macleanenergy.com/83c-iv/83c-iv-documents/. On August 4, 2023, the RFP Drafting Parties provided an informational update regarding a forthcoming Request for Information (RFI) on the Indexing Adjustment Mechanism pursuant to Section 2.2.1.5 of the proposed 83C Round 4 RFP submitted to the Department. This early notification was provided to allow stakeholders additional time to coordinate resources for the purpose of preparing their response. On August 23, 2023, the Department approved the timetable and method for solicitation found in the RFP, including the proposed Indexing Adjustment (as defined in the RFP). The RFP Drafting Parties expect to issue the RFP soon, which will be posted at the macleanenergy.com.

Interested parties and stakeholders are invited to provide comments in response to the questions in the linked RFI. Please note that the RFP Drafting Parties will consider comments in developing the mechanism but not otherwise respond to comments received.

Submission Instructions: Please submit all comments to Austin Dawson (Rates and Supply Analyst at DOER) via email to Austin.Dawson@mass.gov as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00pm on September 5, 2023. Please include “83C Round 4 Indexation Adjustment Comments” and the name of the individual or organization submitting comments in the subject line.

Confidentiality: Please note that all comments received will be posted publicly on the MACleanEnergy.com webpage following the submission deadline; unless a party indicates its submission contains proprietary or commercially sensitive business information that should be treated as confidential energy information, to the extent permitted by law.  Such submissions should be clearly marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and submitted along with a public version with any such confidential information redacted.  Commenters are strongly encouraged to limit redactions to the extent possible. Pursuant to DOER’s authority under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 25A, Section 7, and Section 83C certain energy and other information collected by DOER can be maintained for the sole and confidential use of the Commonwealth, its agencies, and offices. DOER may also apply any applicable exemption under the Commonwealth’s public records law. DOER shall also confidentially provide any and all confidential comments or responses to the Massachusetts Electric Distribution Companies, the Office of the Attorney General, the Independent Evaluator, DOER’s consultants and possibly to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (collectively, the “Massachusetts Parties”) in a manner as determined by DOER, in its sole discretion.  In the event confidential information is submitted to DOER and confidential treatment is not afforded for any reason, by a governmental agency or otherwise, or any confidential information is inadvertently made public, DOER and the Massachusetts Parties shall not be held responsible.  

RFI for Indexing Adjustment Mechanism – August 25, 2023