Plugging In

Energy and the Environment

Report says Boston not meeting climate action targets

Says driving in Boston increased 20% over last 20 years

By Jusneel Mahal Electricity, Energy, Environment 0 Comments Nov 4, 2022

Boston University Statehouse Program AN INAUGURAL progress report says Boston isn’t on pace to meet its goal of cutting carbon emissions by half before 2030 and becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. The report – issued by the Boston Foundation and developed in partnership with the Boston Green Ribbon Commission – includes findings from more than 50(...)

Baker open to Commonwealth Wind negotiations

But he says restarting the bid process is not an option

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, Electricity, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Nov 2, 2022

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER indicated on Wednesday that he doesn’t want a high-stakes procurement process for offshore wind to collapse because of a dispute over the terms of the power purchase contract. Commonwealth Wind, a 1,200 megawatt project being developed by Avangrid, says the contract it agreed to in May is no longer sufficient to attract(...)

Wind farm, utilities at odds on electricity contracts

Healey, Baker don’t address firm’s call for renegotiation

By Bruce Mohl Energy, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Nov 1, 2022

COMMONWEALTH WIND on Tuesday told state regulators that the contracts for electricity it negotiated with the state’s utilities in May need to be renegotiated because of changed economic circumstances. But the utilities, in their own filing with the Department of Public Utilities, said they had no intention of renegotiating the contracts and they should be(...)

Wind farm developer seeks to reopen power contract

Climate change Time crunch makes any lengthy delays difficult

By Bruce Mohl Energy, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Nov 1, 2022

A correction has been added to this story. THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION is in a bind on offshore wind. The state desperately needs the power from proposed wind farms off the coast, but the largest of those wind farms now says the contract price it agreed to in April and affirmed in May is no longer(...)

Wind farm raises alarms about its viability

Commonwealth Wind says project cannot move forward without contract changes

By Colin A. Young Electricity, Energy, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Oct 28, 2022

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A MAJOR OFFSHORE wind project in the Massachusetts pipeline “is no longer viable and would not be able to move forward” under the terms of contracts filed in May and now both developers behind the state’s next two offshore wind projects are asking state regulators to pause review of the contracts(...)

What’s behind the pipeline debate in governor’s race?

Candidates at odds over decision not to build more gas pipelines in 2015

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments Oct 27, 2022

Q: Why are the two candidates running for governor, Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl, arguing about natural gas pipelines that never got built? A: It’s actually a very interesting issue, and one that goes to the heart of an ongoing and important debate about the best way to keep the lights on in(...)

State’s largest solar field opens in Ludlow

Power will be used by municipal light plants

By Colin A. Young Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 19, 2022

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A RENEWABLE ENERGY project in Ludlow will soon start generating enough power for more than 1,500 homes, boosters said as they cut the ribbon Monday on the “largest single solar field and the largest municipally-owned solar project” in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company said the project will generate more than(...)

Putin’s aggression is being felt in our electric bills

As Russian tightens exports of natural gas, prices are rising

By Hank Naughton Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 7, 2022

The announcement this week that Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other oil-producing countries — known as OPEC plus — are planning to cut output and inflate gas prices for drivers makes it clear that energy is going to be weaponized by nations seeking to challenge America’s global influence. Indeed, here in Massachusetts we are feeling the sting of(...)

Climate bill gained through omission

Lawmakers smart not to ban competitive electricity suppliers

By Daniel Allegretti Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 7, 2022

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER in August signed into law a comprehensive bill to address climate change. The bill includes provisions designed to reach a net zero carbon goal by 2050 by promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, supporting the modernization of the power grid, and expanding support for the development of offshore wind power. But one of(...)

Somerville’s new electricity contract offers some hope

Two-year deal suggests finding lower prices is possible

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments Oct 6, 2022

SOMERVILLE THIS WEEK offered some hope to those worried about the high cost of electricity ever since National Grid said its basic service rate would be jumping to a record 33.9 cents per kilowatt hour on November 1. The city said it signed a contract starting November 1 with Direct Energy that will provide electricity(...)