Edited from a report by The New England Council (newenglandcouncil.com)

BOSTON

“National Grid announced it intends to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, by eliminating fossil fuels entirely from its gas networks. National Grid provides electricity and natural gas to communities in, among other places, central Massachusetts.

“National Grid believes that around 40 percent of fossil-fuel emissions in both Massachusetts and New York come from heating in buildings. They are seeking to remedy this situation by switching to renewable natural gas and green hydrogen, and away from gas obtained from fossil-fuel sources. This renewable natural gas can be obtained from decomposing materials at landfills and wastewater, and green hydrogen can be produced from wind farms. This move comes as many companies say that they are aiming to achieve net-zero emissions to combat climate change.

“‘This fossil-free vision is a historic announcement for National Grid and the United States,’ said John Pettigrew, the CEO of the United Kingdom-based National Grid. ‘We have a critical responsibility to lead the clean-energy transition for our customers and communities.”’