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

  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Shave the Peak End-of-Summer Trends

This summer, we collected data every day from ISO-New England, the nonprofit Independent System Operator responsible for ensuring reliable...

Read more
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Our programs Climate change

Shave the Peak End-of-Summer Trends

This summer, we collected data every day from ISO-New England, the nonprofit Independent System Operator responsible for ensuring reliable electricity delivery across the six New England states. We tracked the forecasted high temperature, the forecasted andactual peak load, the time of said peak, the peak price of electricity and its timing, the CO2 emissions at peak, the output of behind the meter (BTM) solar and its timing, and whether or not we sent out a Shave the Peak notification to our subscribers who receive alerts on when and how to reduce electricity use during times of high stress on the grid. Stay tuned to find out how many Shave the Peak alerts we sent out this summer! 

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker 
 and
Picture of Maya Mastro Maya Mastro
Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Why We Need Electric Vehicles

To celebrate National Drive Electric Month, we want to remind ourselves of the environmental, public health, and economic benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) and why they are so critical to the clean energy transition. 

As part of our Truth To Power campaign, we dispelled clean energy myths and hosted a webinar on the many benefits of EVs. This blog retells and expands on that webinar.

Picture of Caroline Gracia Caroline Gracia
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid

Utility Securitization: A Possible Electric Rate Reduction Tool

It is becoming clear that the cost of maintaining and modernizing our electricity grid is going to require large capital expenditures by our local electric utilities. Financing these investments, while keeping electric rates from rising further, is going to be a challenge.

One policy that could help do this, which has already been used across the country, is utility securitization.  

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Climate change

Our Statement On Trump’s All-out Assault On Offshore Wind

On his first day in office, the president issued an executive order halting the future permitting and leasing of all offshore wind projects. That action alone was damaging—and is currently being challenged by 18 state attorneys general. But since then, the administration has escalated to an all-out assault on offshore wind. In just the past few weeks, it has issued an unlawful stop-work order on the fully permitted and 80% constructed Revolution Wind project, slashed funding for critical port infrastructure, and filed court challenges seeking to revoke permits for New England Wind 1 & 2 and SouthCoast Wind. Below is a map created by the Boston Globe showing which projects are being targeted.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
 and
Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Climate change

Should Data Centers Receive a Sales Tax Exemption?

Recently, data centers have rapidly become a topic that advocates and policymakers need to reckon with in the clean energy space. Mostly, we’ve seen the data center discussion take place in other parts of the country, where electricity prices are lower and it’s more attractive for data center developers to build. But recently, the discussion arrived in Massachusetts with a discussion of data centers and sales tax exemptions. If you’re a Massachusetts resident, you have an opportunity to make your voice heard until August 25, 2025. 

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Electricity and the grid Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Natural Gas Prices Are Rising

This blog is about the rising cost of natural gas. We hope that it reaches those who blamed this past winter’s rising cost of gas on the cost of energy efficiency programs. 

Let’s start with this graph, courtesy of Reuters, showing that the price of natural gas has risen almost 50% nationally in the last few years for residential consumers.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
 and
Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Heat Pump Discount Rates Coming This Winter!

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.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Electric vehicles/Transportation Electricity and the grid Phasing out fossil fuels

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much DC Fast Charging?

It’s no secret that we are big fans of electric vehicles (EVs) here at Green Energy Consumers Alliance – they have lower operational costs over their lifetimes, and they are central in curbing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. Yet, many prospective EV buyers have not made the switch because of concerns about charging, especially when it comes to long-distance travel. While DC Fast Chargers have been deployed at unprecedented rates, some people are concerned about the impacts of fast charging on battery health. Below, we will dispel some of the most common concerns about DC Fast Charging and share some pointers for preserving your EV’s battery. 

Picture of Elise Mizerak Elise Mizerak
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Heating Phasing out fossil fuels

Why We Should Axe The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard

Massachusetts has some great, and sometimes nation-leading, energy programs; the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS) is not one of them. That’s why we are excited that Governor Healey has proposed phasing out the APS by 2028 as part of H.4144, An Act relative to energy affordability, independence and innovation, which she filed back in May.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change

Lower Electricity Rates for Heat Pumps? Yes, please!

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.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker