Switchbox
@switch.box
A new think tank producing rigorous, accessible data on state climate policy for advocates, policymakers, & the public. www.switch.box
But would it make homes’ winter energy bills lower than before they installed heat pumps? For the large majority of homes in Massachusetts, yes: 82% would see savings from switching to a heat pump, up from 45% today.
August 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM
But would it make homes’ winter energy bills lower than before they installed heat pumps? For the large majority of homes in Massachusetts, yes: 82% would see savings from switching to a heat pump, up from 45% today.
Our report models new rates (“2.0 rates”) proposed by MA’s own Department of Energy Resources (DOER)that would correct the overcharge. For the average household with heat pumps, the 2.0 rates would cut electricity bills by 23%.
August 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Our report models new rates (“2.0 rates”) proposed by MA’s own Department of Energy Resources (DOER)that would correct the overcharge. For the average household with heat pumps, the 2.0 rates would cut electricity bills by 23%.
Massachusetts has started rolling out new rates that offer lower delivery rates during winter for heat pump homes (“1.0” rates). It’s a step in the right direction—but not enough to fully correct the overcharge, or close the operating cost gap. 4/
August 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Massachusetts has started rolling out new rates that offer lower delivery rates during winter for heat pump homes (“1.0” rates). It’s a step in the right direction—but not enough to fully correct the overcharge, or close the operating cost gap. 4/
Today, utilities are paying back loans for the grid they’ve already built to serve the summer peak. Because these costs are fixed, increased revenue from electrifying households allows utilities to reduce rates, which lowers electric bills for non-heat pump customers.
August 15, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Today, utilities are paying back loans for the grid they’ve already built to serve the summer peak. Because these costs are fixed, increased revenue from electrifying households allows utilities to reduce rates, which lowers electric bills for non-heat pump customers.
📢 New report drop: Heat Pump Rates in Massachusetts
Heat pumps could cut bills for thousands of MA households—but only if the state gets the rates right. Right now, many heat pump users are being *overcharged* for their share of the grid. 1/🧵
🔗 www.switch.box/mahprates #energysky #climatesky
Heat pumps could cut bills for thousands of MA households—but only if the state gets the rates right. Right now, many heat pump users are being *overcharged* for their share of the grid. 1/🧵
🔗 www.switch.box/mahprates #energysky #climatesky
August 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
📢 New report drop: Heat Pump Rates in Massachusetts
Heat pumps could cut bills for thousands of MA households—but only if the state gets the rates right. Right now, many heat pump users are being *overcharged* for their share of the grid. 1/🧵
🔗 www.switch.box/mahprates #energysky #climatesky
Heat pumps could cut bills for thousands of MA households—but only if the state gets the rates right. Right now, many heat pump users are being *overcharged* for their share of the grid. 1/🧵
🔗 www.switch.box/mahprates #energysky #climatesky
Probably nothing could have stopped the blackout once the 2 big plants went offline @ 12:33:16.5 (an "N-2" event). But the grid _did_ manage the initial generation loss ("N-1") at 12:32:57.3.
May 9, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Probably nothing could have stopped the blackout once the 2 big plants went offline @ 12:33:16.5 (an "N-2" event). But the grid _did_ manage the initial generation loss ("N-1") at 12:32:57.3.
It was the worst of inverters: Grid-following inverter controls can interact in weird ways, and this _could be_ (we don’t know yet!) one contributor to the sub-synchronous oscillations that were observed right before the blackout. Read this paper www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... or 👇(6/9)
May 9, 2025 at 12:03 AM
It was the worst of inverters: Grid-following inverter controls can interact in weird ways, and this _could be_ (we don’t know yet!) one contributor to the sub-synchronous oscillations that were observed right before the blackout. Read this paper www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... or 👇(6/9)
Generation loss was the proximate cause, but many blame solar plants for the conditions that made the Spanish grid unstable. Grids need inertia, and indeed _rotational_ inertia was low, but inverter-based resources can contribute synthetic inertia to achieve the same levels of resilience. (3/9)
May 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Generation loss was the proximate cause, but many blame solar plants for the conditions that made the Spanish grid unstable. Grids need inertia, and indeed _rotational_ inertia was low, but inverter-based resources can contribute synthetic inertia to achieve the same levels of resilience. (3/9)
Our analysis found this approach could save $4.7 billion through 2050 while electrifying over 313,000 homes. In the most suitable areas, it's about $10,465 cheaper per home to go electric than to replace the pipes—with savings growing to nearly $52,000 by 2050! 5/6
March 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Our analysis found this approach could save $4.7 billion through 2050 while electrifying over 313,000 homes. In the most suitable areas, it's about $10,465 cheaper per home to go electric than to replace the pipes—with savings growing to nearly $52,000 by 2050! 5/6
Here's the situation: We estimate NY utilities plan to spend $43 billion to replace leak-prone gas pipes by 2050, all of which will be paid back by hiking gas bills. But, gas use in homes and biz fell by 13% 2019-2024 and will likely continue falling as the climate warms and homes go electric. 2/6
March 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Here's the situation: We estimate NY utilities plan to spend $43 billion to replace leak-prone gas pipes by 2050, all of which will be paid back by hiking gas bills. But, gas use in homes and biz fell by 13% 2019-2024 and will likely continue falling as the climate warms and homes go electric. 2/6
Our latest report asks a simple question: What if, instead of spending billions replacing aging gas pipes, utilities helped nearby homes switch to electric heating? The data shows this would often cost less, lower utility bills, AND cut pollution.Full report: switch.box/lpp Let's break it down: 1/6
March 28, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Our latest report asks a simple question: What if, instead of spending billions replacing aging gas pipes, utilities helped nearby homes switch to electric heating? The data shows this would often cost less, lower utility bills, AND cut pollution.Full report: switch.box/lpp Let's break it down: 1/6
Here's the situation: We estimate NY utilities plan to spend $43 billion to replace leak-prone gas pipes by 2050, all of which will be paid back by hiking gas bills. But gas use in homes and biz fell by 13% 2019-2024 and will likely continue falling as the climate warms and more homes go electric.
March 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Here's the situation: We estimate NY utilities plan to spend $43 billion to replace leak-prone gas pipes by 2050, all of which will be paid back by hiking gas bills. But gas use in homes and biz fell by 13% 2019-2024 and will likely continue falling as the climate warms and more homes go electric.
Preview! Dandelion Energy CEO Kathy Hannun will talk at this Thursday's Speaker Series event about what state's are getting right and wrong when supporting deployment of ground source heat pumps.
Don't miss it! RSVP here: lnkd.in/g4XF8A9s
Don't miss it! RSVP here: lnkd.in/g4XF8A9s
January 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Preview! Dandelion Energy CEO Kathy Hannun will talk at this Thursday's Speaker Series event about what state's are getting right and wrong when supporting deployment of ground source heat pumps.
Don't miss it! RSVP here: lnkd.in/g4XF8A9s
Don't miss it! RSVP here: lnkd.in/g4XF8A9s
The state would have 2x revenue to invest under high price scenario compared to low. Crucially, we find most households would be protected under higher prices—45% would be completely insulated, and 26% would pay $40 or less / month. High income households would pay 0.4% of their annual income. 14/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The state would have 2x revenue to invest under high price scenario compared to low. Crucially, we find most households would be protected under higher prices—45% would be completely insulated, and 26% would pay $40 or less / month. High income households would pay 0.4% of their annual income. 14/14
As a result, 46% of NY households—overwhelmingly low- and moderate-income ones—would be fully insulated from rising fossil fuel costs under a low price scenario. Another 40% would pay between $0-40 a month—assuming nobody reduces their fossil fuel use or switches to heat pumps / EVs. 13/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
As a result, 46% of NY households—overwhelmingly low- and moderate-income ones—would be fully insulated from rising fossil fuel costs under a low price scenario. Another 40% would pay between $0-40 a month—assuming nobody reduces their fossil fuel use or switches to heat pumps / EVs. 13/14
Finally, direct rebates. To offset rising fossil fuel prices, the state would return at least 30% of NYCI revenue back to households. Our report recommends 40% & proposes a rebate scheme that gives more money to households based on income, household size, local cost-of-living & cost of energy. 12/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Finally, direct rebates. To offset rising fossil fuel prices, the state would return at least 30% of NYCI revenue back to households. Our report recommends 40% & proposes a rebate scheme that gives more money to households based on income, household size, local cost-of-living & cost of energy. 12/14
Under TCC, communities decide what climate mitigation and adaptations they want, and the state gives them C&I dollars in the form of ~$30M grants, to build green affordable housing, free rooftop solar, EV charges, job training, tree planting, etc. 11/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Under TCC, communities decide what climate mitigation and adaptations they want, and the state gives them C&I dollars in the form of ~$30M grants, to build green affordable housing, free rooftop solar, EV charges, job training, tree planting, etc. 11/14
Would NYCI generate enough $ every year to pay for all this? Yes, under high allowance price scenario (if added to IRA & existing state funds). Under low scenario, giving 1/4 of NYCI revenue to the program would cover 3/4 of its costs. Full funding would mean no $ for transport, workforce... 9/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Would NYCI generate enough $ every year to pay for all this? Yes, under high allowance price scenario (if added to IRA & existing state funds). Under low scenario, giving 1/4 of NYCI revenue to the program would cover 3/4 of its costs. Full funding would mean no $ for transport, workforce... 9/14
This incentive program would cost the gov. $5-6B a year over the next decade. If fully funded, NYS would be installing ~300K heat pumps and weatherizing ~179K units a year, a 10x jump from today. The result: 46% of homes electrified by 2035 + the state on track to decarb buildings by 2050. 8/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:34 PM
This incentive program would cost the gov. $5-6B a year over the next decade. If fully funded, NYS would be installing ~300K heat pumps and weatherizing ~179K units a year, a 10x jump from today. The result: 46% of homes electrified by 2035 + the state on track to decarb buildings by 2050. 8/14
Okay, so those are the savings if people switch to heat pumps & in many cases weatherize. Where does C&I revenue come in? Our report models what would happen if the state used 1/4 of it to offer generous incentives, so everyone can afford these upgrades when their current heating system dies. 7/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Okay, so those are the savings if people switch to heat pumps & in many cases weatherize. Where does C&I revenue come in? Our report models what would happen if the state used 1/4 of it to offer generous incentives, so everyone can afford these upgrades when their current heating system dies. 7/14
What kinds of savings are we talking about? Depends on the home, of course, but the median household would save an average of $54 a month, or $648 a year. Under higher allowance prices, savings go up: to $804/yr under the low price scenario, $1020 under the high. 5/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:31 PM
What kinds of savings are we talking about? Depends on the home, of course, but the median household would save an average of $54 a month, or $648 a year. Under higher allowance prices, savings go up: to $804/yr under the low price scenario, $1020 under the high. 5/14
Let's dig into the spending. First, buildings. It turns out that 88% of dwellings in NY could lower their energy bills if they switched to heat pumps today, though 58% of these would first need to weatherize before seeing savings. (Under higher carbon prices, both of these numbers improve.) 4/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Let's dig into the spending. First, buildings. It turns out that 88% of dwellings in NY could lower their energy bills if they switched to heat pumps today, though 58% of these would first need to weatherize before seeing savings. (Under higher carbon prices, both of these numbers improve.) 4/14
Using data from @nyserda.bsky.social, we looked at two different scenarios: one with high allowance prices, and one with low ones (first chart). Because polluters must buy these allowances from the state, that creates revenue the state can spend on decarb or return to consumers (second chart). 3/14
January 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Using data from @nyserda.bsky.social, we looked at two different scenarios: one with high allowance prices, and one with low ones (first chart). Because polluters must buy these allowances from the state, that creates revenue the state can spend on decarb or return to consumers (second chart). 3/14
📣 Tune in to learn about how Minnesota is forcing utilities to consider the future of gas and plan for net zero emissions by 2050 and the winter storm that started it all. #energysky #climatesky
Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 2, 2025 at 9:41 PM
📣 Tune in to learn about how Minnesota is forcing utilities to consider the future of gas and plan for net zero emissions by 2050 and the winter storm that started it all. #energysky #climatesky
Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
📢 Tune in next Thurs to learn about the 'digital twin' simulation that Ithaca is using to equitably electrify their entire building stock. You'll get to meet the first-of-its kind 'digital twin' and the Cornell researchers behind it's creation! #energysky #climatesky
Register: bit.ly/sb-digitaltwin
Register: bit.ly/sb-digitaltwin
December 11, 2024 at 11:39 PM
📢 Tune in next Thurs to learn about the 'digital twin' simulation that Ithaca is using to equitably electrify their entire building stock. You'll get to meet the first-of-its kind 'digital twin' and the Cornell researchers behind it's creation! #energysky #climatesky
Register: bit.ly/sb-digitaltwin
Register: bit.ly/sb-digitaltwin