Continuing efforts begun in 2012 with the purchase of a wind turbine generator at the Kingston rail layover facility, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority projects a further reduction of energy costs in the coming fiscal year, thanks in part to renewable energy efforts.
"The MBTA has increased its focus on energy management, with a specific eye toward energy conservation as well as developing new renewable energy projects," said MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola on May 4, 2016. "We understand the important role the T plays in the Commonwealth's energy management and conservation efforts."
The MBTA, the fifth largest mass transit system in the USA, is the largest single consumer of electricity in Massachusetts. The MBTA is also the largest consumer of other energy products (e.g. compressed natural gas and diesel) in the New England region.
To illustrate the MBTA’s possibilities for renewable energy, the state agency points to its utility budget for FY 2016: the total budget is $48.4 million, and covers costs for six types of utilities: electricity, natural gas, heating oil, steam, jet fuel, and water. But of that $48.4 million, electricity accounts for the vast majority of costs: $42.5 million. It’s here the MBTA sees potential cost savings, as renewable energy possibilities produce more of that electricity more cheaply (and cleanly).
The MBTA’s current efforts to produce more green energy less expensively include the addition of a wind turbine project in Bridgewater and upcoming solar power purchase agreements at MBTA parking lots.
Additionally, the MBTA is implementing a system-wide plan for greater energy efficiency at over 80 facilities, such as by upgrading lighting.
The MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board announced three guiding energy principles going forward: “Use less; buy it and use it more efficiently; and produce it from renewable sources or recapture spent energy.” The MBTA hopes these efforts will result in a continuing reduction of energy costs beyond the 12.8% reduction projected for FY 2017.