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Policy Associate
The energy system is changing. Emerging Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)—like smart thermostats, window heat pumps, battery storage, and plug-in solar—can all help households lower energy bills, improve resilience, and support a cleaner, more affordable electric grid.
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.
At Green Energy Consumers Alliance, we believe everyone should be able to benefit from the clean energy transition.
On January 12th, Green Energy Consumers joined a national coalition of regional wind and solar organizations, seeking immediate relief from the Trump administration’s unlawful federal permitting actions that violate the Administrative Procedure Act and arbitrarily and discriminatorily make wind and solar development effectively impossible throughout the country. These arbitrary and capricious actions strike at the heart of New England’s plans to expand the accessibility of affordable clean power. With household electricity bills continuing to sharply rise across the country, consumers should not be barred by the federal government from access to renewable energy.
We have an exciting update for Massachusetts households since we last wrote about heat pump rates in July: Starting November 1st, all three investor-owned electric utilities (Unitil, National Grid, and Eversource) will launch new, lower winter electricity rates for homes that heat either partially or fully with heat pumps.
On average, Heat pump users can expect to save around $540 on their heating bills this winter, compared to what they paid in past winters. That’s roughly a 17% discount—a true game changer for clean heating in Massachusetts.
Widespread adoption of heat pumps is essential to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and the important interim greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2030. However, for many households, high electricity costs remain a barrier to making the switch. To address this, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has ordered the state’s three investor-owned utilities (IOU’s - Unitil, National Grid, and Eversource) to introduce seasonal heat pump rates, offering discounted electricity for heat pump users during the winter months, a concept Maine has already implemented.
Climate change is the greatest threat to natural landscapes, marine ecosystems, and fishing industries in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Narragansett Bay has already warmed by nearly 3°F since 1960. Sea levels off the coast of Newport have risen 10 inches since 1930, and projections show they could rise as much as 9 feet in the next 75 years. These changes will drastically alter the fishing industry and the economy. Offshore wind is one of the most powerful tools we have to safeguard these vital resources.
It’s no secret that the Trump administration poses a significant challenge to the offshore wind industry in the United States. On the first day of his second term, Trump issued an Executive Order halting all permitting and lease sales for the technology. Nonetheless, offshore wind remains imperative to not only meeting our climate goals, but ensuring energy independence, jobs, and local economic growth. Rhode Island and Massachusetts have been at the forefront of the US offshore wind industry, and as the federal government presents new challenges, it is now more important than ever that our states continue to lead and do everything they can to support this vital resource.
The Office of Energy Resources, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, just launched a home electric vehicle (EV) charging rebate program! PowerUpRI provides rebates for both homeowners and landlords to install EV charging stations on their properties, making the transition to electric vehicles more accessible and affordable.
If you read our blog on the High Cost of Saying NO to Offshore Wind, you know that offshore wind technology brings numerous benefits. Fortunately, New Englanders are increasingly aware of said benefits. Recent poll resultsfrom the Barr Foundation highlight consensus among Southern New England residents in favor of offshore wind initiatives. Conducted by Hart Research between June 7-16, this poll surveyed over 1,200 registered voters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, showcasing strong regional support for transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources.
