Top utility commissioners from four New England states emphasized the need for regulatory innovation to preserve affordability amid the clean energy transition at the New England Energy Conference and Exposition.

Angst over looming load growth, cost increases and reliability headaches headlined the 76th annual New England Conference of Public Utilities Commissioners Symposium.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved agreements between Constellation Energy and the state’s investor-owned gas utilities to keep the Everett LNG import facility operating through May 2030.

In Boston and throughout the broader region, climate-fueled extreme weather events are already putting stress on essential energy infrastructure.

Constellation is requesting an increase in the cost-of-operation charges in its proposed agreements with Massachusetts gas utilities to keep the Everett LNG import terminal operating through the winter of 2029/30.

Proposed supply agreements between Constellation and Massachusetts gas utilities which would keep the Everett Marine Terminal operating through 2030 are facing pushback from environmental organizations and the Attorney General’s Office.

Arguments over alternative fuels are a main point of contention in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s development of a clean heat standard.

Eversource and National Grid have reached agreements with Constellation to keep the Everett Marine Terminal open for six more years, pending approval from the state.

The recommendations for the state's gas pipe replacement program highlight some key areas of contention between the gas utilities, climate organizations and state officials.