What types of energy support Boston and the New England Grid?

Like every major American city, Boston runs on fossil fuels. More than 70% of the energy used in the city is in the form of natural gas and fuels refined from oil. Natural gas is the dominant fuel used in to heat space and water in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, while the bulk of transportation services provided by commercial and private vehicles are powered by gasoline and diesel fuel. The public transportation system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) relies on a combination of electricity, diesel fuel, and compressed natural gas.

About 25% of energy use in Boston is electricity from the ISO New England power grid. The types and amounts of energy used to generate that electricity is a major factor in the city’s plan to be carbon neutral by 2050.  Nearly half of the region’s electric generating capacity uses natural gas as its primary fuel, and GHG emissions from that gas combustion are a large entry in the city’s emission inventory.  The two largest low carbon sources of electricity are nuclear energy and hydropower. The region’s two nuclear facilities, Millstone and Seabrook, supply a quarter of the electricity New England consumes in a year. Electricity imported from Canada is generated largely by hydropower. Wind and solar power are growing quickly, but they still represent a small fraction of total generation.

Recent Data Stories

What are the connections among fuel poverty, time poverty, and gender equity?

Access to clean cooking fuels is crucial for gender equity and poverty alleviation. Currently, billions of people lack safe and affordable energy sources for cooking. Women and girls bear a disproportionate burden in collecting and processing polluting fuels, affecting their well-being and opportunities. Clean cooking energy reduces cooking time, allowing women to engage in other activities like childcare, work, and household chores.

What is the ‘diesel discount’ and does it matter?

Road transport relies heavily on gasoline and diesel, influenced by government policies that often favor diesel for its efficiency. However, diesel produces more pollution, and the tax revenues it generates complicate change. The debate now centers on speeding up the transition to electric transportation to combat greenhouse gas emissions while balancing historical preferences with environmental concerns.

How does public finance support energy?

The global energy system encompasses diverse infrastructure requiring extensive investment, with USD 2.8 trillion spent in 2023. Public finance significantly supports energy projects, where fossil fuels received 56% of funding from 2013 to 2022. Clean energy finance increased until 2021, highlighting varying regional priorities and the dominance of large projects in funding distribution.

Where are people most exposed to particulate matter?

Airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) comprises tiny particles that pose significant health risks, including heart disease and lung cancer. Major sources include natural events and human activities, with notable geographic variations. Reductions in PM2.5 levels have been observed in affluent regions, but exposure remains high in countries like China and India, impacting public health.

What renewable fuels have the largest climate benefit?

Approximately 91% of transportation energy globally comes from petroleum fuels, creating 29% of US and 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels offer potential emission reductions but raise land use concerns. Ethanol's carbon emissions have decreased, and ongoing research aims to further reduce them. Government support and investments are driving biofuel expansion.

What is nuclear power uprating and why is it important?

Nuclear power in the US has steadily contributed 19% of electricity since 1990, mainly through uprates. These uprates, approved by the NRC, have boosted capacity by 24,080 MWt or 8030 MWe, equivalent to over 7 new plant units. Most uprates range from 0-5%.

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We knit data analysis, visualizations, and the written word into stories that reveal how our energy system can be transformed to reduce inequity, steer humanity from climate disaster, improve health and other social outcomes, and lead to healthier natural systems. We address the energy system itself (sources, conversion, end use), economics (prices, investment, market failures), social outcomes (well-being, energy poverty, and climate justice), and environmental change (climate, pollution, and land and water use).

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We heavily rely on data that someone else produced. All the data in Visualizing Energy is attributed to its original source so that the user can independently judge its accuracy and reliability. We describe all major modifications that we make to data.

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