THE GOOD PEOPLE of Maine have done Massachusetts’ electric ratepayers a solid, as the expression goes. On Tuesday, Maine voters approved Question 1 on their ballot by a nearly 60-40 percent margin. Question 1 will deep-six the electric transmission line intended to push expensive Quebec hydropower into Massachusetts, where ratepayers of the state-regulated electric utilities […]
Energy
Posted inEnvironment
Stalled Maine hydro power line raises concerns
WITH A PROPOSED Maine transmission line financed by Massachusetts electricity ratepayers heading to court, officials gathering at a conference in Boston on Thursday raised concerns about the region’s ability to build the energy infrastructure necessary to address climate change. At a meeting of the New England-Canada Business Council, little was said about the stalled transmission […]
Posted inEnvironment
Maine voters tell Mass. to stick its transmission line
MAINE VOTERS delivered a shock to Massachusetts on Tuesday, overwhelmingly approving a ballot question that would block the Bay State’s bid to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by building a 145-mile transmission line delivering hydro-electricity from Quebec. The ballot fight was the most expensive in Maine history. Opponents of the ballot question heavily outspent […]
Posted inEnvironment
Baker calls Maine ballot fight ‘a big deal’
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER indicated he will be closely watching what happens in Maine on Tuesday, where voters will decide the fate of a ballot question that could block construction of a transmission line being built with money from Massachusetts electricity ratepayers to bring carbon-free hydro-electricity into New England. “This is a big deal,” Baker said […]
Posted inThe Download
2 key hurdles face Mass. power line to Quebec
A proposed power line bringing hydroelectricity from Quebec into New England via Maine faces two key hurdles in the coming months that could make or break climate change efforts in Massachusetts. The power line project, called New England Clean Energy Connect, is being financed by Massachusetts electricity ratepayers. If built, it would deliver 1,200 megawatts […]
Posted inUncategorized
2 key hurdles face Mass. power line to Quebec
A PROPOSED power line bringing hydroelectricity from Quebec into New England via Maine faces two key hurdles in the coming months that could make or break climate change efforts in Massachusetts. The power line project, called New England Clean Energy Connect, is being financed by Massachusetts electricity ratepayers. If built, it would deliver 1,200 megawatts […]
Posted inOpinion
Electric vehicle rebate needs to increase, expand
FROM THE GRIDLOCK of the Southeast Expressway to Logan Airport and the Cape Cod bridges, traffic congestion is so commonplace in Massachusetts that it’s easy to forget transportation is also our leading cause of climate pollution. All this movement of people and goods fuels the extreme weather trends that threaten our coastal communities, statewide economic […]
Posted inEnvironment
Beacon Hill eyeing tradeoffs on offshore wind
A MAJOR POLICY DEBATE is taking shape on Beacon Hill between those who see offshore wind as the key to meeting the state’s climate change goals, and those who see the industry as needing to do more than that – specifically, spurring significant economic development in the state. The debate centers around the price of […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker reverses course on utility contracting
One of the most bizarre contracting arrangements in state government may soon be coming to an end. In 2016, the Legislature passed and Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law containing a provision putting the state’s three private utilities in charge of negotiating contracts for clean electricity on behalf of the state. Eversource, National Grid, and […]
Posted inEnvironment
Baker reverses course on utility contracting
ONE OF THE MOST bizarre contracting arrangements in state government may soon be coming to an end. In 2016, the Legislature passed and Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law containing a provision putting the state’s three private utilities in charge of negotiating contracts for clean electricity on behalf of the state. Eversource, National Grid, and […]