THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY bill sitting on the governor’s desk contains two policy sections that could open the door to clean energy procurements involving onshore wind from Maine and nuclear power from Connecticut, according to one of the key drafters of the legislation. Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin, the House chair of the Legislature’s Telecommunications, […]
Energy
Posted inOpinion
National Grid has a vision for fossil-free heat
FOR THOSE INCLINED to reference Greek mythology when discussing Massachusetts energy policy, the attributes of Greek architecture may provide a better blueprint. Striving towards precision and excellence, the architects of ancient Greece practiced a methodical, systematic style that appropriately balanced aspiration with sound architectural order for enduring results. At National Grid, we have embraced a […]
Posted inEnergy, State Government
Here’s what’s in the Legislature’s energy/climate change legislation
THE LEGISLATURE suspended its rules and whisked through a climate change bill on Thursday that seeks to make Massachusetts the “Saudi Arabia of wind,” promotes the adoption of zero emission vehicles, and allows 10 communities to bar fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction. The precise contents of the bill were not available and the funding […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Compromise climate bill coming down to the wire
HOUSE SPEAKER Ron Mariano tweeted that the Legislature will vote on a compromise bill to combat climate change on Thursday, presumably by suspending rules designed to give lawmakers proper notice of a bill coming up for a vote. Officials said House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on the bill Wednesday afternoon but technical drafting issues […]
Posted inEnergy
Biden visits Somerset, an energy bellwether
REP. PATRICIA HADDAD of Somerset woke up a bit late on Tuesday, checked her phone, and saw she had 15 texts and six phone messages – all about President Biden coming to town. The White House announced that Biden would be flying into Providence on Wednesday and then coming over to Brayton Point in Somerset […]
Posted inOpinion
Cut the subsidies for biomass energy
A WELL-FINANCED, industry-led effort has been insidiously recasting burning trees for energy as a climate solution. Massachusetts residents and ratepayers have overwhelmingly chosen to support clean energy – but greenwashing by this polluting industry threatens to undermine our clean energy policies and squander both our ratepayer dollars and the public trust. Now the Massachusetts Legislature […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Oil, gas exec sees energy landscape changing
CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCATES and environmentalists would be quick to point out that Mike Sommers is not exactly a neutral observer when it comes to energy policy. As CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, Sommers is paid to advance the interests of the fossil fuel industry that is held up as a prime driver of climate […]
Posted inOpinion
What will it take for blue Mass. to go green?
MASSACHUSETTS FINDS itself at a moment of choosing when it comes to embracing clean energy. The state boasts the best wind corridor in the nation and has the potential to unleash a nearly sevenfold increase in the amount of solar energy it generates. The Bay State has an enviable bounty of clean energy resources, which […]
Posted inOpinion
Utilities offering us a Trojan horse
When the residents of the ancient city of Troy found the giant horse outside their city gates, they were told it was an offering to the gods that would save their city. When they pulled it through the gates, they never suspected that welcoming such a gift would lead to the destruction of their city […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment, State House News Service
State sets carbon targets for 2025, 2030
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE MASSACHUSETTS IS committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent compared to 1990 levels by the middle of this decade and by the minimum 50 percent required under law by 2030, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card announced Thursday as she set requirements for the next steps towards Massachusetts […]