Specifications include, but are not limited to: • Develop and propose a clear methodology to identify and rank critical energy infrastructure across energy subsectors in the Commonwealth: o Identification should include critical electric (renewable and non-renewable), natural gas, and liquid fuels energy infrastructure in Massachusetts as well as critical infrastructure in adjacent states whose loss would have a significant negative impact on energy security in Massachusetts. • Once a methodology has been developed and approved, identify and rank critical energy assets across the subsectors: o In addition to identifying and ranking new assets, conduct a review and analysis of critical energy assets identified in other plans. The critical asset list and ranking should identify and include assets in border states whose loss would have a high level of negative impact on energy security in Massachusetts. • Once assets have been identified and ranked for criticality, define risk to that infrastructure based on a select portfolio of man-made and natural hazards: 3 • Work with an interagency Project Management Team (PMT)4 to identify the 6-8 hazards with the greatest potential likelihood of impacting the energy system over the next twenty-five years (to 2050) and with the greatest potential consequence, and analyze the associated risks posed by these hazards. • Develop risk mitigation and resiliency strategies and recommendations for identified energy assets and subsectors. Recommendation may include infrastructure hardening, retreat, nature-based solutions, and other recommendations. This work will be informed by various plans that have published in recent years (i.e. 2023 Massachusetts State Energy Security Plan (SESP), utility grid modernization plans, 2023 ResilientMass Plan, etc.) and other sources of information based on a literature review. o Mitigation strategies should include recommendations for “buying down” risk to the identified assets relative to the 6-8 identified hazards identified as having the greatest potential to impact the energy system over the next twenty-five years. o The approach and strategy should be based on a cost vs. benefit analysis and include a crosswalk of critical energy infrastructure, potential hazards, and recommended mitigation measures and strategies. o Strategies may include prioritization of policy areas, areas for future investment, and roles and areas for focus for various Commonwealth agencies...
