Innovation, Infrastructure, and a Warm Welcome
Sheri Givens is President and CEO of Smart Electric Power Alliance.
If you’re headed to Boston for the NARUC Summer Policy Summit, welcome to my home of nearly seven years. Beyond the cobblestones and chowder, Boston is a living laboratory for energy innovation – and a must-visit for energy policy enthusiasts.
Of course, Boston’s rich history beckons. Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail to Paul Revere’s House, Old North Church, and Bunker Hill. Tour Fenway Park, explore the Museum of Fine Arts, or ferry out to Boston Light, the nation’s first lighthouse, electrified in 1948. Whether you’re into art, food, sports, or history, this city has it all.
But for those of us passionate about energy, Boston holds even more intrigue. Take SoWa Power Station, formerly the largest power plant in the world when it opened in 1891. Once energizing Boston’s streetcars, it’s now a stunning event space. This kind of adaptive reuse speaks to the city’s dynamic relationship with power.
And the transformation continues.Let’s start with a little context. Boston isn’t just the cradle of liberty; it’s become a proving ground for regulatory innovation. Here, ambitious climate goals are intersecting with pragmatic, on-the-ground solutions to decarbonize heating, modernize markets, and rethink infrastructure.