Plugging In

Energy and the Environment

The inconvenient truth of energy policy

We can’t reduce emissions and keep prices down

By Ron Gerwatowski Electricity, Energy 8 Comments Aug 3, 2016

THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE just enacted some of the most ambitious clean energy procurement legislation in the nation. It is a significant step to meet the Commonwealth’s emissions reduction goals and a major victory for the environmental community and offshore wind industry. It also was an important accomplishment for the Baker-Polito Administration to bring large-scale hydro(...)

Energy bill: Winners & losers

Haddad, utilities come out on top – not so Cape Wind

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 3 Comments Aug 1, 2016

The energy legislation approved by the Legislature late Sunday night radically reorganizes the state’s energy market in favor of clean energy, calls for hydroelectric and offshore wind power contracts worth billions of dollars, and gives Massachusetts a shot at building a new offshore wind industry. What’s unclear is whether the energy bill will drive up(...)

Lawmakers give late-night OK to energy bill

Steer clear of Senate’s more aggressive measures

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 4 Comments Jul 31, 2016

HOUSE AND SENATE LAWMAKERS approved a compromise energy bill Sunday night that they hope will pave the way for an offshore wind industry and sharply increase imports of electricity from Canada, but they shied away from more aggressive measures to promote renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. The compromise bill surfaced shortly after 9:30 p.m.(...)

We must preserve nuclear power plants

Offshore wind, hydro are fine, but need to safeguard nukes

By Compiled by CommonWealth Electricity, Energy 4 Comments Jul 29, 2016

The following is a letter sent to Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg by a group of scientists, environmentalists, and academics. As scientists, environmentalists and concerned citizens, we urge you to include nuclear power among the sources of clean energy eligible for support in Massachusetts law, particularly in the(...)

No subsidies for gas pipeline projects

It's a terrible risk for consumers

By Joel Wool Electricity, Energy 1 Comment Jul 27, 2016

IT’S CRUNCH TIME when it comes to the Omnibus Energy Bill that is being debated on Beacon Hill. Lawmakers have to decide if they will continue to promote fossil fuel energy consumption or if they will instead help Massachusetts lead the way in building an economy based on clean, sustainable energy sources. They must decide(...)

DPU-Eversource communications probed

Email raises questions about improper pipeline discussions

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Jul 26, 2016

THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES is investigating whether one of its employees had improper communication with an attorney for Eversource Energy, which is seeking state approval to assess its electricity customers for the money to finance a new natural gas pipeline into the region. The issue first surfaced last week when Kevin Conroy, an(...)

Shame on enviro group

NH rep: Leave power line decision to Granite State

By Herb Richardson Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Jul 25, 2016

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, the New Hampshire Legislature has debated and killed repeated efforts to require that transmission line be buried in New Hampshire. Fueled by opposition to the Northern Pass, these proposals have been studied in depth by the legislature, state agencies, and other key stakeholders. Ultimately, the negative impacts of this mandate(...)

Mass. on verge of energy greatness

Offshore wind, hydro will lower energy costs

By Ken Kimmell and Daniel Esty Energy 2 Comments Jul 21, 2016

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE NEWS, the Massachusetts House and Senate just did something big that we should all celebrate. By passing major energy bills, they have set the Bay State on a path of reduced reliance on fossil fuels while propelling our state towards a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future in which up(...)

Pipeline tariff is not a tax

It would save ratepayers $780m to $1.2b a year

By Steve Dodge Electricity, Energy 3 Comments Jul 15, 2016

SEVEN OF THE TOP 10 most expensive states for electricity costs are in the Northeast, including Massachusetts. We pay the sixth-highest retail electricity prices in the nation – almost 50 percent above the national average. With ample natural gas supplies only a day’s drive away in Pennsylvania, why are Massachusetts and our New England neighbors(...)

What will Brad Jones do?

Republican rep is wildcard on pipeline provision

By Bruce Mohl Energy 0 Comments Jul 14, 2016

REP. BRADLEY JONES JR. of North Reading is caught in a tug-of-war between the House and Senate as the two branches try to find common ground on energy legislation. Jones is the Republican member of the three-person House team working to resolve differences with the Senate on energy bills passed by the two branches. On(...)