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 The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU), through its order in D.P.U. 20-80, requested that the natural gas distribution companies (also known as local distribution companies (LDCs)) engage with stakeholders to develop a Non-Pipes Alternative (“NPA”) framework.  

The LDCs want to gather input from a wide range of people with different viewpoints to ensure the NPA framework meets customer needs while maintaining safety and reliability as the gas system changes. The companies have hired a team of consultants (E3, Apex, and Efficiency for Everyone) to lead the stakeholder input process. There are multiple ways for interested individuals and organizations to participate (outlined in the figure and described below). 

The purpose of this website is to share information on the NPA stakeholder process, including background information, public notices, NPA Working Group meeting materials, and written comments from the public and group members.  

NPA Working Group. This group will consist of approximately 30 selected stakeholders who will meet monthly from October 2024 to March 2025. The goal is to collect diverse perspectives to help shape a comprehensive NPA framework. A Technical Subcommittee will also review the framework in detail, with a focus on methodological approaches and assumptions.  More information about the NPA Working Group is provided below.      

Community Focus Group. This group will examine the potential impacts of NPAs on communities in Massachusetts, with an emphasis on historically overburdened and marginalized populations. The 15-member focus group will seek to gain feedback from community members about how alternatives to natural gas infrastructure will impact their families, businesses, and communities. It will also identify considerations that enable the equitable distribution of anticipated costs and benefits from NPAs. The feedback from this group of stakeholders will help the LDCs refine their NPA framework. The Community Focus Group will meet approximately six times between November 2024 and March 2025.

Public Engagement: Individuals and organizations that would like to stay informed and provide input without joining a standing group have several options: signing up to receive email updates about the NPA stakeholder process, attending live listening sessions, and utilizing this website to review materials and/or submit public comments.