On October 4, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced an Offshore Wind Multi-State Coordination Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a potential coordinated selection of offshore wind as each state solicits its own offshore wind energy generation through their respective state procurements.

On August 23, 2023, the Department of Public Utilities (Department) issued a final order approving the proposed timetable and method for the fourth solicitation contained in a request for proposals (RFP) for offshore wind energy generation pursuant to Section 83C of the Green Communities Act, St. 2008, c.169, as amended by the Energy Diversity Act, and the Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind (Section 83C) (the Order), subject to the directives of the Department.

Section 1.1.1 of the RFP allows DOER to coordinate with other New England state procurements and the MOU provides the relevant information regarding project allocation, division of economic development commitments, and further information on project selection for Bidders to incorporate into their bids.

Any other requirements to submit a multistate bid for multistate consideration will be forthcoming.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) Drafting Parties have made an Informational Filing at the DPU describing the finalized Indexing Adjustment Mechanism on September 29, 2023. This Informational Filing describes the purpose of the Indexing Adjustment Mechanism, the process by which the Petitioners arrived at the Indexing Adjustment Mechanism, and how the Indexing Adjustment Mechanism will be implemented as an option in the RFP.

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 25, 2023, interested parties and stakeholders were invited to provide comments in response to the questions in the RFI and those comments are available at https://macleanenergy.com/83c-iv/request-for-information/. 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). On August 31, 2023, the RFP Drafting Parties made an informational filing at the DPU amending the RFP to conform the DPU directions, which was posted at macleanenergy.com.

Please follow this link to Indexing Adjustment Mechanism Informational Filing or find it at macleanenergy.com/83c-iv/83c-iv-documents/.

Also, note registration for the upcoming bidder’s conference is available at https://macleanenergy.com/83c-iv/83c-iv-bidders-conference/.

The Massachusetts Electric Distribution companies, in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, are issuing an RFP for Long-term Contracts for Offshore Wind Energy Projects pursuant to Section 83C of Chapter 169 of the Acts of 2008, as amended by the Energy Diversity Act, and the Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind. This is Massachusetts’ fourth offshore wind solicitation and is part of a procurement schedule developed by the Distribution Companies and DOER in accordance with the authority granted to DOER.

Visit the 83C IV Documents and 83C IV Timeline for more information. This timeline has been approved by the MA DPU.

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

Informational update regarding the indexing adjustment mechanism request for information

The proposed Section 83C IV Request for Proposal (RFP) submitted to the Department of Public Utilities (Department) for approval on May 2, 2023 (D.P.U. 22-43) contemplates a forthcoming Request for Information (RFI) on the Indexing Adjustment Mechanism pursuant to Section 2.2.1.5.  If such a mechanism is approved by the Department, developers and other stakeholders will be invited to submit responses to the RFI in order to comment on the design of the mechanism to be filed with the Department by August 31, 2023 under the proposed RFP.

If the Department issues an Order ruling on the timetable and method of solicitation contained in the proposed 83C IV RFP, including approval of the Indexing Adjustment Mechanism process, the RFP Drafting Parties anticipate posting the RFI shortly thereafter. Because the proposed RFP requires the proposed mechanism by August 31, 2023, a short timeline for RFI responses to inform the indexing adjustment mechanism is necessary. This early notification, therefore, is being provided to allow stakeholders additional time to coordinate resources for the purpose of preparing their response.