Glossary: Specific Massachusetts /
New England Government Agencies
Listing of agencies dealing with energy and the environment
in Massachusetts and New England.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): The DEP is the state agency overseeing the Commonwealth's environmental regulatory programs for air quality, wetland, and offshore protection, drinking water, solid waste (including hazardous waste), and land use controls. The DEP plays a significant role in developing and enforcing air quality regulations that affect fossil fuel generation as well as the lower emissions from biomass generation.
Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE): The DTE is an agency responsible for the regulation of telecommunications and energy in Massachusetts. In terms of clean energy, it plays a significant role in the development of rates, standards, and energy facility siting processes that impact the approval process for clean energy installations. The Department seeks to ensure that utility consumers are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost as determined by its orders and to ensure that residential ratepayers' rights are protected under regulations.
Division of Energy Resources (DOER): The DOER is a state agency that implements energy policies that ensure an adequate supply of reliable, affordable, and clean energy for the businesses and residents of Massachusetts. It seeks to improve and streamline energy regulation, promote greater efficiency in all energy applications, reduce energy costs, and mobilize energy education.
Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE): ISO-NE is the not-for-profit corporation responsible for the day-to-day reliable operation of New England's power generation and transmission system that represents an installed capacity of 32,000 megawatts. ISO-NE also oversees the region's wholesale electricity marketplace and manages regional power system planning.
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC): The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is the state’s development agency for renewable energy and the innovation economy. MTC administers the Renewable Energy Trust and other funds and initiatives like the John Adams Innovation Initiative.
New England Power Pool (NEPOOL): NEPOOL is a voluntary association of entities that are engaged in the electric power business in New England and is closely affiliated with the ISO-NE. The NEPOOL participants include utilities, power marketers, load aggregators, generation owners and end users.
Office of Commonwealth Development (OCD): The OCD oversees the state’s energy, environment, housing, and transportation agencies. It has a strong focus on maintaining the built and natural environment through various policies, programs and regulations including the Massachusetts Climate Action Plan.
Renewable Energy Trust (RET): The Renewable Energy Trust is a public benefit fund dedicated to the development of clean energy in Massachusetts. It focuses in particular on large-scale clean energy development, green buildings and distributed generation, development of the clean energy industry, and public education. Its efforts are led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.