Steve Griffith
September 13, 2013
Intro to GIS – Assignment #1
Topic #1: Energy Generation in ISO-New England
Summary
My thesis topic (in its present state) is an examination of New England’s significant and
increasing energy dependence on natural gas as a bridge fuel from oil to renewable
sources. In concept, gas offers an economical, low-emission alternative to oil, and its
versatility and dependability make it an adequate pairing with renewable generation. Aside
from the environmental debate surrounding shale gas extraction, a foremost concern is
that cheap natural gas may actually undermine the growth of renewable sources by
removing political and economic incentives in the long run for solar, wind, biomass, biogas,
and hydro.
The focus of my thesis will be on ISO-New England, the region’s independent energy
operation network. The aim is to explore the issue and analyze policy mechanisms to
effectively manage the ongoing shift toward natural gas without compromising the growth
capacity of renewables. This thesis topic would be substantially supported by a geographic
analysis of the region’s current and historical energy generation facilities and
infrastructure, existing state policy initiatives (eg: renewable portfolio standards), and
regional potential for renewable generation.
Questions
1. How has the primary fuel of energy generation facilities in ISO New England changed
over the past 50 years? In particular, a series of maps highlighting the region’s ‘dash
to gas’ would provide a valuable visual component to my thesis.
2. What statewide, or regional, policy efforts have been made to incentivize renewable
resources? How have these policies affected natural gas generation? It will be
important to understand how clean energy policy affects the natural gas “bridge.”
3. What is the potential for renewable resources in New England? This analysis would
highlight the extent to which solar, wind, biomass, biogas, and hydro can fulfill the
energy demands of the region. This will also inform any policy recommendations
made, including effective sources, siting regulations, and feasibility.
References
Harris, R. (2012, February). Could Cheap Gas Slow Growth of Renewable Energy? National
Public Radio. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2012/02/02/146297284/couldcheap-gas-slow-growth-of-renewable-energy.
 This article provides a concise summary of the potential for natural gas
dependency to undermine the future of renewable resources. Several
prominent academic and industry leaders are quoted to emphasize the issue.
This was the first article I read that really made me question the “bridge”
theory, and see how cheap gas may not complement but impede renewables.
MIT Energy Initiative (2011). The Future of Natural Gas: An Interdisciplinary MIT Study.
Retrieved from http://mitei.mit.edu/publications/reports-studies/future-naturalgas.
 This is a substantial report that provides an immense amount of information
on the past, present, and future role of natural gas. Aside from important data
points, it keyed me into the changing landscape of the transportation sector
as a major factor in the future of natural gas.
Stephenson, E., Doukas, A., & Shaw, K. Greenwashing gas: Might a ‘transition fuel’ label
legitimize carbon-intensive natural gas development? Energy Policy, 46, 452-459.
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.library.tufts.edu/science/article/pii/S0301
421512003102.
 This article made me think about the lobbying power of gas companies to
convince the political, scientific, and everyday world of the benefits of natural
gas. The article critiques the “low-emission” tag often assigned to natural gas.
Data Sources
 National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
 U.S. Energy Information Administration.
 Hopefully ISO-New England will have some GIS data for use, although it does not
appear to be online. Alternatively, data may be derived from each state individually.
Topic #2: A Build-Out Analysis of Boston’s Seaport District
Summary
South Boston’s waterfront (also: “the Seaport”) has undergone incredible changes over
recent years. Although once a desolate land created by landfill, the Seaport has since
become a beacon of economic innovation and modern development for the city of Boston.
The transformation began in the early 1990s, when the Moakley Courthouse was moved to
the Seaport from Boston’s downtown. The spurred further development and
infrastructural improvements in the area. The Big Dig project removed the spatial barrier
between downtown and the waterfront with the destruction of the elevated highway, and
the construction of new roadways and public transit for improved accessibility. In the early
2000s, the Institute of Contemporary Art and Boston Convention Center were built on the
waterfront, followed by the construction of several of modern luxury hotels and high-end
restaurants.
Mayor Thomas Menino has declared the Seaport the “Innovation District,” and creative
entrepreneurs and high-technology companies are beginning to populate the area. The
Seaport’s Fort Point neighborhood has seen the development of several luxury high-rise
apartment buildings, and is today among Boston’s most expensive places to live. With a
relatively new identity and rapid growth, the area is chaotic with development. For this
reason, a build-out analysis will provide a forward-looking evaluation of the district to fully
understand how this place has been and will be transformed.
Questions
1. How has the land use of Boston’s Seaport district changed over time? What is the
existing land use? Given the area’s dramatic transformation, it would be important to
see not only what the existing uses are, but what they used to be as well.
2. Based on current zoning and land status (developed or undeveloped; developable,
further developable, or not developable), what would be the physical nature of the
Seaport if fully built out? The rapid development is exciting and economical, but is
zoning effectively catalyzing the desired outcome? The build-out analysis will allow
for the comparison of the city’s vision against the future reality given existing
regulations.
3. What factors must be considered now in order to foster the future Seaport district we
desire? Is the current zoning adequate, or must it be updated for social, economic, or
environmental reasons? The build-out analysis may display important factors not
previously considered.
References
Son, J. Residential Build-Out Analysis Based on Zoning: Meeting infrastructure demand
using GIS. Esri: ArcUser Online. Retrieved from
http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0109/buildout.html.
 After reading this piece, I am intrigued by the infrastructural demands of the
Seaport’s ongoing development. This topic would be more focused, and provide
crucial municipal information as to the area’s infrastructural capacity. This article,
while an exemplary model, seems to focus on residential development and would
need to be reformed for the mixed-use intentions of South Boston.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. How To Do A Build-Out Analysis. Green
Communities. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/build_out.htm.
 This webpage displays basic, but essential information on conducting a build-out
analysis. The page describes the purpose of such an analysis, details the analytic
process in two phases, and provides examples. It provided me with a framework
from which to understand the value of a build-out analysis and how that would be
beneficial for Boston’s Seaport.
Vogel, C., Doyle, P., Baker, M.R. (2012, July). The Rise of the Seaport. Boston Magazine.
Retrieved from http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2012/07/rise-seaport-district-boston/.
 This piece taught me about the transformation of the Seaport, from landfill to its
current state as a budding innovation hub. Although not an academic piece, it
cogently displays just how chaotic and rapid the changes have been.
Data Sources
 Boston Redevelopment Authority.
 Not sure!