Ohohoh! I actually emailed the mass doe about something kinda like this and they got back to me. It’s about de-carbonization mostly since I was asking about renewables for climate change but much of this may be applicable here/show where the interest is on new energy production, let me copy the email below:

Thank you for reaching out to us. I hope the following information will help answer your questions.

In December 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration released its Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report, which was the culmination of a two-year, comprehensive and science-based planning effort to map out our pathways to Net Zero over 30 years. The goal of the Roadmap Study was to provide the Commonwealth with a comprehensive understanding of the necessary strategies and transitions in the near- and long-term to achieve Net Zero by 2050 using best-available science and research methodology. The Pathways create optionality for the Commonwealth and demonstrate a range of options for policymakers and stakeholders to assess and consider. The 2050 Roadmap pathways are based on a least-cost economic model that selects a mix of energy resources that can meet demand and stay within the emissions limit.

Massachusetts is part of the New England regional electric grid that is managed by ISO New England. There are no nuclear generators currently operating in MA, however one plant in CT and one in NH generate electricity consumed in the ISO-New England region. The state of Connecticut and some of the municipal light plants (MLPs) in Massachusetts have long-term contracts for supply from the nuclear facilities in the region.

The Pathways in the 2050 Roadmap assume that existing nuclear power plants in the New England region remain operational through 2050. Relicensing of nuclear plants is the responsibility of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The modeling of the net-zero emissions pathways in the Roadmap Study dispatchable resources will be needed to back up renewable storage resources, which could be provided by a small amount of thermal fossil fuel generation or large-scale battery storage. Nuclear generation is generally considered baseload generation and cannot quickly respond to changes in electricity needs that may be created by renewable resources. Other resources may be more cost effective solutions in a portfolio with non-dispatchable renewable energy.

The “Offshore Wind Constrained” scenario pathway showed that if offshore wind resources available to serve Massachusetts are constrained, other low-carbon resources, including additional energy imports or new nuclear power in the region, would be needed to achieve a least-cost decarbonized power grid.

The modeling in the 2050 Roadmap indicates that, in New England, balancing solar and wind generation can be achieved through a mix of battery storage, non-battery storage options (e.g., pumped hydro), thermal plants using fossil or renewable fuels, and nuclear resources. The precise mix will depend greatly on how technologies and cost evolve over the next 30 years.