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

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

Municipal Aggregation Keeps on Winning: Greener Power at Lowest Cost

From time to time, we report on how municipal aggregation is going in Massachusetts – and soon, Rhode Island. It’s that time again. For about 90% of...

Read more
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Phasing out fossil fuels

Car Dealers Are Spreading Disinformation About Clean Cars

Clean car regulations are under attack federally and here in Massachusetts. We wrote about these attacks on April 25, held a webinar on May 1, and submitted joint letter signed by 70 organizations to Governor Maura Healey on May 2. All along the way, we’ve tried to dispel misinformation and disinformation about these key regulations. Last week, the Massachusetts State Auto Dealer Association made a claim in a Boston Globe article about the subject that incorrectly frames how these regulations work. As part of our Truth to Power campaign, we want to set the record straight.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
 and
Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

Massachusetts Cannot Backslide on Climate Policy

About a week ago, we began hearing rumors that Governor Healey was being pressured by the auto industry to delay implementation of the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC2) rule. ACC2 would, starting with model year 2026, require automakers to gradually increase the percentage of new cars sold in the Bay State that are electric. The Department of Environmental Protection adopted the regulations after an open public process way back in 2023, so it’s disheartening to know that this issue is on the table at all. The transportation sector is the leading cause of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Massachusetts, and ACC2 is, by far, the most important policy for reducing those emissions.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
 and
Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Energy efficiency Rhode Island Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels Action Alert

Support the Rhode Island Building Decarbonization Act of 2025!

This year, our top legislative priority in Rhode Island is the Building Decarbonization Act (H5493/S91), because the Ocean State is not currently on track to achieve the emissions reductions required by the Act on Climate. This is especially true in the building sector, which makes up over 35% of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Picture of Tina Munter Tina Munter
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Rhode Island Climate change Action Alert

Critical Action Alert: Clean Vehicle Rules Under Attack

Automakers and the fossil fuel lobby have been campaigning across the country to undermine, delay, or destroy key regulations to reduce pollution from vehicles. In the next few days, it’s critical we all take action to defend these regulations to protect public health and fight climate change.  We don't mean two weeks from now. We mean now.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to take two actions (each will only take 3 minutes!) and then provide more context on what’s going on below. If you take action, email us at drivegreen@greenenergyconsumers.org to let us know!

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Renewable energy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Rhode Island Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Watch Out For Disinformation About Offshore Wind

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.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Massachusetts Takes Bold Step To End Gas Line Subsidies

A coalition of twelve environmental and clean energy organizations1, including Rewiring America, Acadia Center, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense Fund, recently submitted a letter strongly supporting the Department of Public Utilities' (DPU) draft policy to end gas line extension allowances (LEAs)—subsidies that have long encouraged new gas service connections and expansion.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan , Ben Butterworth 
 and
Amanda Sachs
Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation

Charge Your Electric Car Off-Peak in Massachusetts & Save

When you charge your electric car matters. Charging when overall demand for electricity is low reduces costs and emissions for the electric grid as a whole. For years, we’ve advocated for better “smart charging” programs from our electric utilities to incentivize electric vehicle (EV) owners to charge their cars off-peak.In addition to utility programs, EV drivers in Massachusetts can participate in the Clean Peak Standard to earn rewards for charging off-peak.

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid

Predatory Electricity Suppliers are Causing Real Pain to Consumers

Back in the late 1990s, Massachusetts decided to allow companies, called third-party suppliers, to sell electricity directly to consumers. The theory was that free-market competition would drive down electricity rates as well-informed consumers efficiently made decisions. After a quarter century of allowing these third-party electric suppliers to sell electricity in Massachusetts, we know this hasn’t worked as planned for residential customers.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan