Boston and Massachusetts are focusing on renewable energy expansion, grid modernization, and achieving ambitious decarbonization goals. Efforts include increasing the use of electric vehicles, electrifying public transportation, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and integrating clean energy sources to support the state's 'carbon neutral' target by 2030.

There is an imminent need for electrical infrastructure in Boston to enable clean energy delivery and meet electrification goals.

With its Clean Energy and Climate Plan, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has established aggressive clean energy targets aimed at transitioning to a decarbonized future.

Last year Massachusetts passed “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind” (climate law). The climate law required each electric distribution company to prepare an Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) that is transparent, proactively upgrades the distribution system, modernizes the grid and integrates more clean energy.

We crafted our ambitious and detailed ESMP outlining critical steps we will take in the next five to 10 years, as well as a vision for the steps that will be needed to meet decarbonization targets by 2050, in recognition of the critical role the electric distribution system plays in enabling clean energy and electrification over the next 25 years. It also includes our plan to meet Boston’s electrification and clean energy goals by upgrading and building new electrical infrastructure across the city.

Learn more about and read our full electric sector modernization plan. 

New infrastructure and upgrades are necessary to support the city's growing demand for electricity, replace aging infrastructure, and integrate renewable energy sources. These upgrades are essential for ensuring energy reliability, promoting economic growth, and supporting environmental goals. Benefits include improved public health, economic benefits, less energy interruption, and a modernized system capable of supporting clean energy goals.

The neighborhoods of Dorchester, Roslindale, Mattapan, and Hyde Park are among the first Boston neighborhoods planned to receive these critical system upgrades.

The substations that service these neighborhoods have reached their electrical capacity. To keep pace with electrical demand in this area, new infrastructure will be required.

Beyond meeting the Commonwealth’s long term clean energy targets, our ESMP outlines tangible customer benefits.

We recognize the financial impact of electricity costs on customers. We are focused on improving infrastructure while optimizing costs, supplementing improvements with smart technology solutions, deploying solutions like smart meters, or advanced metering infrastructure, to help customers manage their usage, and ensuring costs are equitably shared among ratepayers.

For over 40 years, there has been a great deal of scientific research devoted to finding out more about electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and related health impacts. We have been supportive of this research and monitoring the results from the beginning.

The conclusions of academic researchers and public health authorities around the world are a significant resource to guide our understanding of EMF.

We are always working to keep you and our environment safe. We are committed to sharing and communicating information about EMF so our customers, co-workers, family and friends are well informed.

“Extensive research has been conducted into possible health effects of exposure to many parts of the frequency spectrum. All reviews conducted so far have indicated that exposures below the limits recommended in the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP [1998]) EMF guidelines, covering the full frequency range from 0 - 300 GHz*, do not produce any known adverse health effect.” – World Health Organization

Learn more about EMF.

Modern electrical infrastructure including substations and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are designed to operate within regulated noise levels.

Our electrical infrastructure will be designed and engineered to meet all regulations, including Boston’s noise ordinance.

We do not anticipate that this work will impact your electrical service, and we will notify you of any planned outages and disruptions.

All people working on this project are Eversource-approved contractors and carry proper identification.

Eversource engages with communities for feedback on infrastructure upgrades, including benefits and locations by hosting public meetings, facilitating informational sessions, and encouraging feedback through various platforms.

The company provides "bill assistance programs" to help with any potential increase in costs and seeks input on how chosen sites can continue to benefit the community.

This engagement is critical for understanding and addressing community concerns and preferences.

As we transition to this cleaner future, proposed clean energy infrastructure investments must achieve both equity and clean energy objectives.

We believe energy justice, affordability and reliability goals can be accomplished simultaneously and that this balance will improve our collective success in achieving our shared clean energy goals.

We recognize engaging stakeholders early and often is necessary and that those potentially impacted by this transition deserve to play a role in energy discussions that affect their lives. Proactively soliciting feedback on these types of proposed projects will be paramount in ensuring successful outcomes for all.

Our customers, communities and stakeholders are important partners in developing and implementing our clean energy transition plans. We continue to build relationships and trust by listening, learning, and incorporating your feedback into our planning process.

Learn more about how we are engaging with the community.

We have initiatives for workforce development and often aim to hire from within the community. This supports local economic growth and ensures that project benefits are felt directly within the community.

Actively providing opportunities for employees of all backgrounds – across race, gender, ethnicity, culture, age, disability, and veteran status – is important to our mission.

We take a holistic approach to talent acquisition by leveraging the DE&I Council and Business Resource Groups; academic institutions at the middle, high school, community, and four-year college levels; and external strategic partners and community-based organizations to broaden our reach to as many targeted alliances as possible.

We encourage our historically underrepresented employees to participate in both internal and external activities that support the business, and many represent us at career fairs to share their perspectives on engineering and technical careers.

Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we are creating a diverse workforce.

You can sign up for email updates on the project’s website.

You can also reach the project team at 1-833-836-0302 or ProjectInfoMA@eversource.com.