Plugging In

Energy and the Environment

Mayflower Wind strikes Brayton Point deal

Power from future wind farms would come ashore in Somerset

By Bruce Mohl Offshore Wind 0 Comments May 27, 2021

MAYFLOWER WIND, which is planning to bring ashore on Cape Cod the electricity generated by its first wind farm, said on Thursday that it intends to shift the landing point for the power produced by its future wind farms off the coast of Massachusetts to Brayton Point in Somerset. The announcement is good news for(...)

Without grid investments, clean power goals may not be met

Existing transmission systems lack enough capacity

By Brian Gemmell Electricity, Energy 0 Comments May 17, 2021

AT A TIME our nation and the New England area faces the challenge of fostering economic recovery in the wake of a global pandemic, investment in our electricity transmission system – the backbone of the US power grid – presents an opportunity to not only advance our nation’s fight against climate change, but to create(...)

Biomass is false solution to climate change

Recent state decisions are a step in right direction

By Philip Duffy and Alexander Rabin Electricity, Energy 0 Comments May 14, 2021

FOR TOO LONG, burning wood has been wrongly considered “clean” energy, when in fact it is bad for both the climate and human health. With two recent decisions, Massachusetts seems poised to reverse direction on this false solution and prioritize healthier communities and a safer climate. While these are steps in the right direction, they are(...)

Offshore wind gets a green light

State, nation embark on new energy future

By Bruce Mohl Offshore Wind 0 Comments May 11, 2021

AFTER YEARS of federal delays, Vineyard Wind on Tuesday gained approval from the Biden administration to construct the nation’s first industrial-scale wind farm 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. The long-awaited regulatory decision sets the state and the nation on course for a very different energy future, one that relies on offshore wind to help(...)

Baker administration, Vineyard Wind schedule announcement

Focus is 'future of offshore wind in Massachusetts'

By Bruce Mohl Offshore Wind 0 Comments May 10, 2021

THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION scheduled a press conference for Tuesday with top officials from Vineyard Wind “to discuss the future of offshore wind in Massachusetts,” prompting speculation that the offshore wind developer’s federal environmental impact statement has secured its final approval. In a media advisory issued at 9:15 p.m. Monday, the Baker administration said a press(...)

State begins 3d procurement for offshore wind

RFP seeks bids for up to 1,600 megawatts

By Katie Lannan Electricity, Energy, Offshore Wind 0 Comments May 7, 2021

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE STATE’S ELECTRIC utilities and the Baker administration are back in the market for another offshore wind contract, this time seeking up to twice as much power as in previous rounds. Under a request for proposals released Friday, bids are due by September 16, with plans to select the winning bid(...)

In dealing with climate change, don’t forget solar, storage

60,000 acres of ground-mounted solar seen needed

By Jessica Robertson and Daniel Berwick Climate change, Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Apr 29, 2021

LAST MONTH, Gov. Charlie Baker signed landmark climate change legislation. Press coverage that focused on the sparring between the governor and the Legislature over the details obscured the bigger story, which is that both the Legislature and the Baker administration are aligned on the need for Massachusetts to set – and meet – a goal(...)

Throwing up roadblocks to Quebec hydroelectricity

Ballot question, Seabrook upgrade pose threats to clean energy pipeline

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Apr 25, 2021

OFFSHORE WIND appears to be slowly getting back on track, but Massachusetts’ other big bet on clean energy – hydroelectricity from Quebec – is far from a sure thing. A proposed transmission line carrying the hydropower down into New England is facing two potential roadblocks — a ballot challenge in Maine this fall and a(...)

The real work begins now on climate change

Passing legislation was only a first step

By Winston Vaughan and Heather Takle Climate change, Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Apr 17, 2021

THIS SPRING, as flowers and trees begin to bloom in New England, our clean energy industry is also ready to blossom after decades of delays and setbacks. Last month Gov. Charlie Baker signed one of the strongest climate bills in the nation, committing to reduce emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by(...)

Angry Somerset residents elect ally to select board

With town’s future unclear, Smith claims 69-29 victory

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Apr 13, 2021

SOMERSET VOTERS, angry about noisy and dirty businesses operating out of an industrial site that was supposed to be a staging ground for the state’s offshore wind industry, elected an ally to the Board of Selectmen on Monday. Allen Smith racked up a huge victory, defeating David Berube by a margin of 69-29 percent. Smith’s(...)