Task 1: The selected Contractor will support DOER in its responsibilities to conduct a determination of project benefits to the Commonwealth as required by Section 82. The Contractor will assist DOER in: • Developing evaluation protocols consistent with the Commonwealth’s energy procurement precedent and assumptions to evaluate project(s) selection for the following benefits: o (i) provide cost-effective clean energy generation to electric ratepayers in the Commonwealth and the region over the term of the contract; o (ii) provide the benefits of clean energy and associated transmission towards meeting the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals; (iii) where possible, avoid, minimize, or mitigate, to the maximum extent practicable, environmental impacts and impacts to low-income populations; o (iv) reduce ratepayer costs in winter months and improve energy security during winter months; o (v) demonstrate progress toward obtaining required permit approvals and interconnection, and o (vi) have credible project schedule and construction plans, including plans for financing and stakeholder engagement • Complete quantitative evaluation defined in above protocols to estimate direct and indirect costs and benefits of the project(s). This may include, but may not be limited to the following: o quantitative analysis of regional energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets through production cost modeling or other methodologies o evaluation of direct and indirect economic benefits to the Commonwealth ratepayers, including but not limited to mark-to-market energy and Renewable Energy Certificate (“REC”), or other environmental attribute, price comparisons and environmental benefits of Global Warming Solutions Act (“GWSA”) compliance o transmission analysis, including a review of existing transmission studies, to identify and estimate energy deliverability to the Commonwealth • Support DOER, in consultation with the EDCs and AGO, on the evaluation of qualitative benefits including, but not limited to the following: o environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts, and impacts to low-income populations o project schedule and construction plans, including plans for financing and stakeholder engagement, permit approvals, and interconnection • Providing recommendations to DOER on the reasonableness of qualitative and quantitative evaluations, including determining the success of economical modeling results and identifying issues for the DOER management • Providing recommendations to DOER management to assist with determination of project benefits to Massachusetts based on statutory guidelines
