Planning for environmental initiatives in New England

Environmental initiatives, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Renewable Portfolio Standards, are encouraging the development of low emitting natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) units and wind plants in New England. In addition, state goals are promoting demand resources within the region, especially energy efficiency. ISO New England analyses show the impacts that these initiatives and goals have in different expansion scenarios. These results have helped provide guidance to policymakers, developers of supply and demand resources and merchant transmission, and system planners and operators in New England. This paper discusses some of the key environmental and other drivers of resource and transmission development in New England. It also discusses how the region is preparing for the large scale integration of clean technologies in response to these drivers.