UPDATE: Massachusetts faces uncertainty over the recently launched hydro-powered electricity project from Quebec, as severe drought conditions threaten its viability. The New England Energy Connect (NECEC), designed to deliver 1,200 megawatts of hydropower, is expected to relieve soaring energy bills, but critical questions arise about its reliability.
Residents are feeling the pressure, with over 20% of respondents in a recent Suffolk University poll identifying utility bills as the largest strain on their budgets. The NECEC project, initiated in 2017 under former Governor Charlie Baker, has faced numerous regulatory hurdles and cost overruns, ballooning from $1 billion to $1.6 billion. Despite projections of delivering approximately 20% of Massachusetts’ electricity and reducing ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year, the actual savings for individual customers may be as low as $18 to $20 annually.
Officials tout impressive environmental benefits, including an annual reduction of 3.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 700,000 cars from the roads. However, concerns linger regarding Quebec’s capacity to meet these energy demands amid a prolonged drought. Recent data indicates that 86% of Canada’s Central Region, including Quebec, is classified as experiencing Abnormally Dry to Extreme Drought conditions, raising alarms about the future of hydropower supply.
“If the push of the drought comes to shove, Canadian customers come first,”
warned industry experts. This precarious situation has led to increased exports of electricity from New England back to Quebec, further straining the expected power flow southward. ISO New England reports that the existing Phase II power line, which has historically supplied energy to New England, is now primarily serving Quebec’s needs.
As Massachusetts moves forward with the NECEC, the state’s Legislature, dominated by Democrats, remains optimistic despite earlier warnings about the reliability of hydropower during climate-related shifts. An editorial from September 2022 cautioned that prolonged drought could severely impact hydropower’s dependability.
With energy demands rising and climate conditions shifting, the anticipated benefits of the NECEC project appear increasingly uncertain. Experts like Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association, express concerns that Quebec may tighten its electricity supply, echoing fears that have been realized in recent years with declining imported electricity from Canada.
As Massachusetts residents brace for another winter of rising energy costs, the NECEC’s success hinges on unpredictable weather patterns and the ability of Hydro-Quebec to deliver. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further challenges ahead as both consumers and state officials await tangible results from this ambitious energy project.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
