Plugging In

Energy and the Environment

SJC decision raises emissions questions

Law should be clarified to avoid confusion

By Ron Gerwatowski Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Jun 15, 2016

WE ARE FACING the daunting challenge of meeting the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of the Global Warming Solutions Act. And now the recent Supreme Judicial Court decision, Kain v. DEP, has confirmed those targets are legally binding. But, unfortunately, the court’s decision may have established a principle of law that should cause serious concern(...)

Clearing the air on natural gas

Math is simple, law is clear – Herald column is not

By Liz Stanton 1 Comment Jun 10, 2016

WANT TO KNOW how Massachusetts can lower electric bills while safeguarding the health of not just our own children but everyone else’s children, too? By following our existing state and federal environmental laws and continuing to lead the nation by setting the standard for the clean energy economy. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s May 17,(...)

House OKs hydro, offshore wind bill

Smizik drops amendment allowing Cape Wind to compete

By Matt Murphy and Andy Metzger Electricity, Energy, Massachusetts Legislature 0 Comments Jun 8, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE House lawmakers voted near unanimously on Wednesday to diversify the state’s state energy mix by requiring utilities to solicit and enter into long-term contracts for large-scale hydroelectric and offshore wind power as part of a strategy to reduce the state’s reliance on natural gas and meet its carbon emission reduction mandates.(...)

Cape Wind sharply attacks House energy bill

Calls measure unconstitutional, anticompetitive, form of bid-rigging

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Jun 7, 2016

CAPE WIND ISSUED a position statement on Tuesday calling the House’s energy bill anticompetitive, unconstitutional, and the result of “a form of legislative bid-rigging.” The unusually harsh statement was issued the day before the House is scheduled to take up a bill that would authorize the state’s utilities to purchase large quantities of offshore wind(...)

New pipe could help curb gas leaks

Using high density polyethylene could save money

By Abel Jimenez and Ruben Mencos Energy 0 Comments Jun 6, 2016

IN LATE MAY, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy released its version of draft energy omnibus legislation. Climate Action Business Association, a Boston-based business group, responded by calling for a more robust policy, specifically calling on lawmakers to take bolder steps to address the gas leaks issue in the state. The business association works(...)

No mandate needed for municipal utilities

Muny light plants do renewables on their own

By Ronald C. DeCurzio Electricity 3 Comments Jun 3, 2016

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, through changes in the electric industry more revolutionary than the ones we are facing today, Massachusetts municipal utilities have set the standard for excellence in reliable electric service and competitive rates. There are many reasons for this success, including a not-for-profit business model and local control over decisions that affect(...)

Beaton: More hydro needed in energy bill

Shares House concerns about Cape Wind involvement

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 2 Comments Jun 2, 2016

THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION’S point person on energy said on Thursday that he would like to see more emphasis on hydroelectricity in the Legislature’s energy bill and indicated he shared House concerns about including Cape Wind in any procurement for offshore wind. Matthew Beaton, the governor’s secretary of energy and environmental affairs, said he was pleased(...)

Baker administration mum on emission plans

DEP’s Suuberg says all strategies will be reviewed

By Bruce Mohl Energy 9 Comments May 31, 2016

THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION told lawmakers on Tuesday that it would comply with a Supreme Judicial Court decision mandating specific reductions in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, but said it was too early to speculate on how those reductions would be accomplished. Lawmakers at a State House hearing suggested putting a price on carbon, increasing energy(...)

Wholesale electricity prices fell by third in 2015

Decline driven by lower prices for natural gas

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 1 Comment May 26, 2016

THE OPERATOR OF THE REGION’S POWER GRID said on Thursday that the wholesale price of electricity fell by more than a third in 2015, primarily because of lower prices for natural gas, the fuel used to produce nearly half of New England’s electricity. ISO New England said the average wholesale price for electricity in the(...)

Electricity consumption on the rise

Eversource raises average usage number to 600 kWh

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 2 Comments May 24, 2016

EVERSOURCE ENERGY says the average monthly electricity usage of its typical customer is now 600 kilowatt hours, up from the 500 kilowatt-hour estimate the company has used for years. The change showed up on a recent press release detailing the firm’s basic service rates for this summer. Michael Durand, an Eversource spokesman, said the average(...)