Belmont Light – Belmont Citizens Forum

Belmont’s Electricity Comes from NE Power Pool

Climate Change, Newsletter, September/October 2025 Comments Off

Aug 262025

Belmont’s Electricity Comes from NE Power Pool

By Dave Beavers To further explore the question, “Where does my electricity come from?” (See “Follow Belmont Electricity From Source to Socket“, BCF Newsletter, July/August 2025), this article considers what happens upstream of the Belmont Light substation at Blair Pond. Beyond Blair Pond Our Blair Pond substation is supplied by a transmission line from Alewife which connects Belmont to the New England grid. The Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE) operates the grid and administers the wholesale electricity market in New England. It is one of seven regional grid operators in the United States. Belmont Light is a stakeholder [READ MORE]

Follow Belmont Electricity From Source to Socket

Environment, July/August 2025 Comments Off

Jun 302025

Follow Belmont Electricity From Source to Socket

By Dave Beavers The answer to the question “Where does my electricity come from?” can be elusive. There can be many answers to what appears to be a straightforward question. These answers can be abstract by necessity, requiring physics concepts and a plethora of obscure acronyms for precision. Instead of a textbook approach, the goal of this article is to offer an intuitive understanding of Belmont’s electricity. I will eschew dry facts, physics, and acronyms in favor of less abstract explanations and analogies. Along the way, I will explore key issues such as utility costs, rates, reliability, governance, and climate [READ MORE]