Plugging In

Energy and the Environment

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(...)

Prohibit the ‘pipeline tax’

There are smarter ways to invest in economy

By Kathryn R. Eiseman Energy 6 Comments Jul 13, 2016

What is the proposed “pipeline tax” on our electric bills, and why is there a bipartisan effort to ban it? The so-called “pipeline tax” is a scheme under which consumers across New England would be charged on their electric bills to finance construction of new gas pipelines – as well as above-ground gas infrastructure, such(...)

Pipeline firm makes case for more natural gas

Promises savings, grid reliability, and help on renewables

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 3 Comments Jul 8, 2016

THE COMPANY TRYING TO EXPAND a major natural gas pipeline coming into New England said on Friday that the growing opposition in the Legislature is failing to recognize that more gas is needed to bring down electricity prices, to avoid brownouts and blackouts, and to help develop renewable forms of energy. Top officials from Access(...)

Mass. should insist on burial of NH power line

Two states should form united environmental front

By John D. Judge and Jane A. Difley Energy 0 Comments Jul 8, 2016

AS MASSACHUSETTS WORKS to reduce reliance on carbon-generated electricity, neighboring New Hampshire is fearful of becoming a muddy doormat between Quebec and Boston. Hydro-Quebec wants to export more of its big hydro to southern New England, and Eversource desperately wants to build a new transmission line for that purpose. There is already one overhead, 2,000-megawatt(...)

Advice for Beacon Hill energy conferees

Don’t preclude gas contracts, back home rating system

By Ian Bowles Electricity, Energy, Massachusetts Legislature 5 Comments Jul 8, 2016

THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE AND SENATE are to be commended for passing important energy legislation in recent weeks. Both bills represent the most important steps forward to date to further the landmark 2008 Green Communities (GCA) and Global Warming Solutions Acts (GWSA). As a conference committee of House and Senate lawmakers moves to develop consensus legislation,(...)

Court: 2 Cape Wind approvals flawed

Ruling leaves intact wind farm’s lease

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 1 Comment Jul 5, 2016

A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the US Department of Interior erred twice in granting a key environmental approval for Cape Wind, but the judges decided not to revoke the wind farm’s lease or its other regulatory approvals. Cape Wind, which is fighting on Beacon Hill for the right to bid on offshore(...)

Senate approves energy legislation

Bill is significantly different from House version

By Katie Lannan Electricity, Energy 8 Comments Jul 1, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AN ENERGY BILL PASSED 30-0 by the Senate Thursday evening would require the solicitation of long-term contracts for at least 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2027 as part of an effort to diversify the state’s energy mix and comply with greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements. Under the bill, energy distribution(...)

Natural gas falls out of favor on Beacon Hill

Senate votes 39-0 against pipeline financing plan

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 5 Comments Jun 30, 2016

AS THE LEGISLATURE RUSHES to embrace offshore wind and Canadian hydroelectricity, the Senate on Thursday voted 39-0 to cut off the chief means of financing new natural gas pipelines coming into the region. The Senate’s approach has strong support among House members as well. The growing opposition to natural gas would have been unthinkable two(...)

Senate energy debate could get heated

Natural gas ‘tax’ is one of many big policy issues

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 1 Comment Jun 29, 2016

THE HOUSE PRECLUDED MOST DEBATE on its energy bill, but the more free-wheeling Senate looks as if it will take on some major policy issues in its deliberations on Thursday. Some observers are nervous that if the Senate pushes too far it may be difficult to reach an agreement with the House before the session(...)