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News Release 20-013
Inv. No(s). 332-574
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for an investigation on the potential economic effects of increased renewable energy commitments in New England and Massachusetts and the role of renewable electricity imports in meeting these commitments.
The investigation, Renewable Electricity: Potential Economic Effects of Increased Commitments in Massachusetts, was requested by the House Committee on Ways and Means in a letter received on January 23, 2020.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide the following information, to the extent practical:
- an overview of the current situation and recent trends in New England and Massachusetts electricity markets with regard to domestic and imported electricity sources and rates for residential and commercial uses, and the status of the transition from nuclear and fossil fuels to renewable sources, including:
- a description of Massachusetts’ most recent renewable energy goals and commitments as compared to previous commitments and initiatives,
- the renewable energy goals and commitments in other New England states, and
- the potential available resources to meet Massachusetts’ and New England’s goals;
- a quantitative analysis of the potential economic effects on Massachusetts and the broader New England region of Massachusetts reaching its goals and commitments for renewable electricity sourcing (including the potential economic effects on residential and commercial electricity consumers);
- a quantitative analysis of the likely effects on greenhouse gas emissions of meeting these goals and commitments; and
- relevant case studies involving other states, regions, or countries that provide insights into the potential economic effects of imports of hydroelectricity, including on efforts to meet
- renewable energy targets, the rates paid by commercial and residential consumers, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The USITC expects to deliver the report to the Committee by January 25, 2021.
The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on May 7, 2020. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 16, 2020, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington D.C. 20436.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on July 28, 2020. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions appears in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated February 12, 2020, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address, or at 202-205-2000.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting report conveys the Commission’s objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.