Residential Electrification

The conversation about electricity replacing oil and gas and becoming our sole energy source is happening; we are considering requiring making large commercial buildings to be all-electric (with a few exceptions) - see the separate post(s) here on the topic of BERDO.

As the conversation continues to expand to residential houses, we all need to know what this could mean for us and our homes, including:

• How the grid is being readied (or ‘hardened’) for the volume of use,

• The cost to use gas and electric energy sources over time, as gas prices are expected to increase, while electricity prices are expected to decrease

• How much does the equipment (HVAC, water heater, stove, etc.) cost?

• What would have to change in my house to accommodate this?

• Are there rebates and incentives available for the equipment and installation?

I’m learning about these topics and what it means for my home and there is a lot to learn. It’s not complicated, but just different. We will all need to learn the lingo, and make plans before you needing a new furnace, or water heater. Like the saying goes, knowledge is power (pun intended).

Docketing the Conversation

As a starting point, I have asked the city council to discuss this in a public committee meeting, and share information about the current state of the grid, what our goals in Newton and the state are.

Generally this is to raise awareness of what these changes look like over the next 20 years (yes, a rather long time from now, but if you consider that a good furnace can last for 10-15 years this is not that far off).

These conversations will begin in the next 45 days, and I will share a specific date when it is scheduled. This is a discussion and information sharing; there is no pending legal change planned at this time.