Plugging In

Energy and the Environment

Van Welie is wrong about natural gas

Invasion of Ukraine makes grid policy shift even more vital

By Melissa Birchard Electricity, Energy, Environment 0 Comments Mar 13, 2022

IN RESPONSE to Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine, the European Union announced it will rapidly accelerate its transition from natural gas – much of which it gets from Russia – to renewables. Reuters quotes EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans saying, “It’s hard, bloody hard. But it’s possible.” What does this have to do with New England?(...)

Offshore wind bill sails through House

Baker calls bill 'round one' in Beacon Hill's energy debate

By Colin A. Young Electricity, Energy, Massachusetts Legislature, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Mar 4, 2022

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE LEGISLATION THAT lawmakers hope will turbocharge the growing offshore wind industry in Massachusetts and help the state meet its climate commitments easily sailed through the House on Thursday, but Gov. Charlie Baker said he has “a bunch of concerns” with it and expects that it will serve as only a starting(...)

New offshore wind bill drops electric bill charges

Mariano says he wanted the focus to be on industry building

By Bruce Mohl Energy, Environment, Massachusetts Legislature, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Mar 1, 2022

HOUSE LEADERS on Tuesday abandoned a proposal to hike electric ratepayer bills as they pulled together the votes needed to pass legislation offering significant financial incentives to the offshore wind industry to put down roots in Massachusetts. “There will be other opportunities to put more money in this. We want to keep the debate about(...)

Why we’re still using gas, oil to produce electricity

New England grid relies on vulnerable energy supply

By Gordon van Welie Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Feb 26, 2022

IN DECEMBER, ISO New England issued its annual winter outlook and warned of the precarious state the region’s power system would be in if a prolonged, severe cold snap developed and our energy supply chain was disrupted. New England has well-documented natural gas pipeline constraints, while transported fuels used by generators, such as liquefied natural(...)

Healey again rejects Brookline anti-fossil fuel bylaws

Lauds town’s effort, but says its approach violates existing law

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy, Environment 0 Comments Feb 25, 2022

FOR THE SECOND TIME in less than two years, Attorney General Maura Healey on Friday rejected bylaws approved by the town of Brookline placing restrictions or prohibitions on buildings incorporating fossil fuel infrastructure. As she did in 2020, Healey went out of her way to say she agreed with the intent of the proposed bylaws(...)

Two soundings from Somerset

Hydro vs. wind bet; $10b investment in Mass

By Bruce Mohl Energy, Massachusetts Legislature, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Feb 17, 2022

IT WAS FITTING that Rep. Patricia Haddad would take a bow at a gathering on Thursday in Somerset celebrating the purchase of 47 acres at Brayton Point by an Italian company seeking to sell subsea cable to the East Coast’s emerging offshore wind industry. Haddad, after all, got the ball rolling on offshore wind in(...)

A downpayment on Somerset’s offshore wind dream

Prysmian plans $300m cable facility at Brayton Point

By Bruce Mohl Offshore Wind 0 Comments Feb 17, 2022

THE DREAM of transforming Brayton Point in Somerset into a hub of the offshore wind industry took a major step forward on Thursday, as an Italian manufacturer of subsea cable laid out an ambitious plan to build a $300 million facility capable of servicing wind farms off the East Coast of the United States and(...)

Brayton Point finally lands offshore wind supplier

Subsea cable manufacturer unlikely to displace scrap metal operation

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, Municipal Government, Offshore Wind 0 Comments Feb 16, 2022

BRAYTON POINT in Somerset is finally getting a piece of the offshore wind industry it has been courting for years, but the industrial prize is apparently not big enough to displace the controversial scrap metal business that occupies a portion of the property and has alienated much of the town. An Italian company called Prysmian(...)

Baker administration unveils building code slide deck

Calls for updates of 2 existing codes and addition of a 3d

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, Energy, Environment 0 Comments Feb 8, 2022

BAKER ADMINISTRATION officials unveiled a slide deck on Tuesday that outlines in broad strokes how they intend to use updates to two existing state building codes and the development of a third more restrictive code to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions coming from newly constructed commercial and residential buildings. The new building codes are scheduled(...)

Salem, once dismissed, now getting top billing on offshore wind

Speaker Mariano calls municipality ‘focal point’ of efforts

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Feb 8, 2022

SALEM, ONCE CONSIDERED a port with little potential for offshore wind development, is suddenly being called the centerpiece of the state’s efforts to become the Saudi Arabia of wind. At a State House press conference on Monday, House Speaker Ron Mariano said he was still tinkering with legislation to promote offshore wind in Massachusetts and(...)