The Energy Consumer's Bulletin- a New England energy news blog

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Natural Gas-Fired Power Is Not Getting Any Cheaper

Retail electricity prices keep rising everywhere, causing pocketbook anxiety among consumers and political anxiety among elected officials. Some of...

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Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Phasing out fossil fuels

Natural Gas-Fired Power Is Not Getting Any Cheaper

Retail electricity prices keep rising everywhere, causing pocketbook anxiety among consumers and political anxiety among elected officials. Some of our public servants suggest cutting back on clean energy commitments to make energy affordable. They are obviously being egged on by disinformation campaigns run by the fossil fuel industry. Nonetheless, it is becoming increasingly clear that New England’s overdependence upon natural gas for heat and electricity is one of the main energy cost drivers (along with overspending on utility infrastructure and their profits).

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Earth Day Victory: The Courts Side with Clean Energy

On this Earth Day, we’re proud to be celebrating a legal victory that will help secure a clean energy future.

On April 21, Judge Denise Casper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction in favor of a national coalition of wind and solar organizations, including Green Energy Consumers Alliance.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Phasing out fossil fuels

Who Pays For The Everett Marine Liquified Natural Gas Terminal?

Liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals are large pieces of infrastructure that can either turn pipeline natural gas into a liquid to move onto ships or turn liquified natural gas into a gas to put into a pipeline. They have recently made national headlines because the buildout of LNG export terminals has allowed the US to export more natural gas to the rest of the world, which in turn has led to higher domestic natural gas prices.

Uniquely for the mainland United States, New England’s LNG facilities are primarily used to import, not export, natural gas. This is because the region’s position at the end of the national gas pipeline system means that pipeline gas alone cannot meet the region’s demand during cold snaps. That is where the Everett Marine Terminal (EMT) comes in.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Electricity and the grid

New Managed Charging Program For Eversource Customers

Heads up to Eversource electric customers in Massachusetts! If you have an electric vehicle (EV), you can now enroll in a new managed charging program offered by Eversource and earn rewards for charging off-peak. Eversource proposed this program way back in December 2024 as part of a mid-term modification of its current EV program (we wrote about this in February 2025), and the DPU issued its order in October 2025. Now, the program is finally live.

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Climate change

How Renewable Energy Lowers the Price of Electricity on the Wholesale Market

Renewable energy offers several benefits, from public health to energy independence. One of the most powerful advantages, however, is its ability to lower the price of electricity on the wholesale market. This effect is called price suppression, and it’s why renewable energy is key to energy affordability.

Picture of Becca Miller Becca Miller
Energy policy & advocacy Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

We Are Still Endangered

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed its own “endangerment finding,” fundamentally destroying the federal government’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This move is a huge abdication of responsibility by the federal government to protect the health and well-being of people across the country and will fundamentally change how the fight against climate change continues in this country. But all is not lost: there is still so much we can do.

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Climate change

Massachusetts House Energy Bill Passed with Massive Improvements Except One Terrible Section

Last night, Thursday, the Massachusetts House passed H.5151, the latest iteration of its energy affordability bill. While we strongly oppose its proposed cut to Mass Save, overall, this bill is a massive improvement, both in terms of its impact on the climate and energy affordability, over the first version put out by the House Telecommunications Utility and Energy Committee back in November. Thanks to everyone who reached out to their lawmakers in opposition to that legislation, the Representatives who pushed back against pro-fossil fuel policies, and the hard work of House Ways and Means leadership and staff, many of the worst provisions originally in the bill, such as a pipeline tax, were removed.

Here is a summary of many of the best and worst provisions in this 100+ page bill.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels Action Alert

Newest Energy Bill Out In Massachusetts: Call Your Rep!

The House Ways and Means Committee has just put out a new version of their energy bill, H.5151, which is expected to be voted on by the full House this Thursday. This bill, while a massive improvement over what left the House Telecommunications Utility and Energy Committee in November, is still a mixed bag. Though it removes many of the previous bill’s worst provisions and improves consumer protections for electricity customers, it would still impose draconian cuts on the Mass Save program. Yet again, we need you to take action by calling your representative!

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan