March 16, 2023
Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) has been recognized as one of a handful of utilities nationwide for its leadership in transforming to a carbon-free energy system by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and is on the 2023 Utility Transformation Leaderboard.
This is a significant recognition and only fourteen utilities, including Southern California Edison, Green Mountain Power and National Grid (see complete list below), were cited for their leadership in carbon reduction.
According to SEPA, the transformation requires much more than clean energy generation. The national organization launched the second Utility Transformation Challenge as a comprehensive, honest assessment of U.S. electric utilities’ progress toward a modern, carbon-free energy system. HG&E was also recognized by SEPA in their 2021 Utility Transformation Leaderboard, the inaugural year of the designation.
SEPA conducted and analyzed multiple surveys designed to measure meaningful progress across multiple dimensions of utility infrastructure, programs, strategy and operations. Survey responses were received from 118 individual utilities, representing more than 51% of all U.S. electric customer accounts across 41 states. The report examines the utility industry’s transition to a clean and modern energy system by exploring four dimensions of utility transformation: Clean Energy Resources, Corporate Leadership, Modern Grid Enablement, and Aligned Actions and Engagement.
According to James Lavelle, Manager of Holyoke Gas & Electric, “I am grateful to receive this prestigious recognition from the Smart Electric Power Alliance for a second time and appreciate the hard work of HG&E employees. As a public power utility, HG&E is committed to providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions to the community we serve through investments in a diverse power supply portfolio, energy storage, efficiency and conservation programs, as well as development of emerging clean energy technologies. The State of Massachusetts has established a road map to net-zero by 2050 and HG&E is well positioned to meeting this target, as well as the incremental targets set for 2030 and 2040.”
HG&E earned a number of recognitions for its commitment to advancing clean and renewable energy, including its designation as a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association; the Energy Manager Today Project of the Year for Mount Tom Solar & Energy Storage System; and was ranked third nationally in energy storage per capita by the Smart Electric Power Alliance in 2019.
The municipal utility has a large and growing renewable with 95% of electricity coming from carbon-free resources in 2021.
“We applaud Holyoke Gas and Electric for progressing its clean energy transition and paving the way for those just beginning the journey,” said SEPA president & CEO Sheri Givens. “Transforming our indispensable and vital electricity system to a modern, equitable, carbon-free one will require SEPA, our members, and numerous stakeholders across the industry to collaborate and share solutions to tackle the myriad challenges ahead.”
SEPA’s 2023 Utility Transformation Leaderboard Utilities (in alphabetical order):
- Austin Energy
- Green Mountain Power
- Holyoke Gas & Electric
- National Grid
- Pacific Gas and Electric
- Palo Alto Utilities
- Portland General Electric
- Public Service Enterprise Group
- Seattle City Light
- Sacramento Municipal Utility District
- San Diego Gas and Electric
- Snohomish County Public Utility District
- Southern California Edison
- Xcel Energy
The 2023 Utility Transformation Profile report and Utility Transformation Leaderboard are available at https://sepapower.org/utility-transformation-challenge/profile/.
Formed in 1902, HG&E is a municipally-owned utility company providing electricity, natural gas, and telecommunication services to over 18,000 customers. Its mission is to provide competitive energy rates, innovative and sustainable energy solutions, reliable service, and excellent customer care. To learn more about HG&E’s energy portfolio and clean energy initiatives, please visit www.hged.com.
About SEPA: The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is dedicated to helping electric power stakeholders address the most pressing issues they encounter as they pursue the transition to a clean and modern electric future and a carbon-free energy system by 2050. We are a trusted partner providing education, research, standards, and collaboration to help utilities, electric customers, and other industry players across three pathways: Electrification, Grid Integration, Regulatory and Business Innovation. Through educational activities, working groups, peer-to-peer engagements and advisory services, SEPA convenes interested parties to facilitate information exchange and knowledge transfer to offer the highest value for our members and partner organizations. For more information, visit www.sepapower.org.