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Eversource says clean-technology staff needed to pursue geothermal, RNG and hydrogen options; no Connecticut pilot funded yet
Summary
Eversource told PURA its Clean Technologies organization is building expertise and business cases for geothermal and other low-carbon projects; the company asked to include payroll for those staff in the rate year while noting no geothermal pilot has been funded in Connecticut and hydrogen work had not advanced.
Eversource’s Clean Technologies witnesses told PURA that the utility maintains a small dedicated team to develop and coordinate decarbonization infrastructure opportunities, including network geothermal for new construction, renewable natural gas (RNG) discussions with developers, and exploratory engagement on hydrogen opportunities.
Staffing and rate-year treatment: The company seeks recovery in the rate year for a portion of Clean Technologies payroll and related costs. Witnesses said those costs reflect work to develop business plans, stakeholder engagement and early-stage project development. The company described the work as knowledge and capacity building rather than capital commitments; the Clean Technologies payroll line supports regulatory engagement, technical design and coordination with other agencies (including DEEP).
Project status by technology: Eversource said it has not funded a geothermal pilot in Connecticut and is in early discussions with Deep (the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) about whether network geothermal for new construction merits further regulatory/ policy support. On project activity, the company said it is engaging with developers about anaerobic digestion/RNG projects but has not yet received formal proposals for pipeline injection; Eversource said its system could accept RNG blends in most locations without pipe replacement but interconnection and receipt points would need evaluation. Regarding hydrogen, witnesses said earlier exploratory work on a regional hydrogen hub opportunity did not advance after state-level partners declined to move forward; the company said it has not pursued hydrogen blending at scale and noted technical and regulatory complexities.
Why this matters: The Clean Technologies unit’s work is framed as preparatory and policy-facing — helping the company and state agencies evaluate low-carbon options that could later require regulatory approvals, capital deployment or new program design. Parties questioned whether ratepayer-funded payroll now is appropriate given uncertain project outcomes; the company responded that early-stage staffing enables rapid, cost-efficient mobilization if the state or customers elect to proceed later.
Follow-ups: PURA and intervenors can expect written supplements and clarifying testimony about the specific activities for which recovery is sought, and parties asked for detail on how Clean Technologies staff hours are allocated across jurisdictions and projects.
