Massachusetts CPS Emergency Rulemaking: Changes to Clean Peak Energy Standard
On May 28, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed an Emergency Rulemaking with the Secretary of State that makes changes to 225 CMR 21.00 Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS), effective immediately.
The Emergency Rulemaking (i) reduces the CPS Minimum Standard from 2026 through 2030, (ii) modifies the Near-Term Resource Multiplier for Qualified Energy Storage Systems (QESS), and (iii) makes technical definition updates to references related to the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program to include the SMART 3.0 program (225 CMR 28.00).
The slight decrease in the Minimum Standard is expected, all else equal, to have downward pressure on CPEC prices, though the magnitude of that pressure is uncertain. During the upcoming Market Outlook Briefing on June 25th, we will share revised CPEC forecasts incorporating this adjustment. The changes to the Minimum Standard are shown in redline format in the table below:
The changes to the Near-Term Resource Multiplier allow projects to request an extension to the Commercial Operation Date (COD) requirement of January 1, 2027, for good cause, but also establish a multiplier expiration date of December 31, 2036. The inclusion of the expiration date means that projects receiving the extension will not receive the multiplier for a complete 10 years from project COD but instead will receive the multiplier until December 31, 2036.
Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 pm on July 6, 2026. DOER requested that written comments be submitted as attached PDF files to [email protected] with the words “CPS 2026 Emergency Rulemaking” in the subject line.
A virtual public hearing on the regulations will be held on July 6, 2026, at 1:00 pm via Zoom. Stakeholders may register for the hearing here.
Lastly, DOER noted that any questions regarding the CPS emergency rulemaking should also be directed to [email protected].
The substance of the Emergency Rulemaking will certainly drive changes in the Clean Peak market, which we will discuss in our upcoming CPMO Market Outlook 2026#1 Briefing on June 25. To learn more about CPMO subscription offerings and Massachusetts Clean Peak and storage market analysis, please contact Bob Grace, Jim Kennerly, or Madeline Frierson.
