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

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Changes for Electric Vehicle Drivers in Rhode Island

If you’re a current or potential future electric vehicle (EV) driver in Rhode Island, there are some important new changes you should be aware of.

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Step into the Future with the New 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai has just announced that its first ever all-electric crossover SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, is available for pre-order. This vehicle is truly impressive:

  • Range: The Ioniq 5 is available with both RWD and AWD. The RWD option will get you 300 miles of range; the AWD option will get you 269 miles. These numbers are still estimates, not yet verified by the EPA, but they're still exciting!
  • Charging: The Ioniq 5 will also have a very fast charging capability. With an 800V electrical system, the Ioniq 5 can fill a battery from 10% to 80% in less than 18 minutes or add 62 miles in 5 minutes at a DC Fast Charger. To compare, a level 2 charger can do that in a little under 7 hours. Hyundai has partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited free 30-minute chargers at any Electrify America charging station for the first two years of ownership.

by Adrianna Lovegrove
Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Should Massachusetts phase out rebates for new oil- and gas-fired systems for heat and hot water?

Recently I was asked by the Boston Globe to write 350 words on why the Mass Save energy efficiency program should phase out rebates for new oil-fired systems for heat and hot water. Another writer took the opposite view and readers were invited to vote for their preferred argument. The Globe’s request was reasonable and so I wrote my piece, but in this expanded blog, I can better address some important points in the discussion.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Green municipal aggregation Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Guest Blog: How Massachusetts cities & towns are leading our transition to clean energy

As mayors representing a diverse group of communities across Massachusetts, we are in a unique position to be on the front lines of how the big global issues manifest from block to block in our neighborhoods. One of the many ways we see this is in how our residents want to power their homes and businesses. Their message to us is clear: they want cost-effective solutions that speed our transition to clean and renewable energy, and they want innovative and meaningful ways to help them combat the climate crisis.

Joe Curtatone , Kim Driscoll Joseph Petty 
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Yvonne Spicer
Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Rhode Island

Be A Fan Of Fans

Compared to parts of the country that have much greater summer cooling needs, New Englanders have more options to keep ourselves comfortable affordably and sustainably. Unless you have someone in your home who needs central air conditioning for health reasons, we encourage you to look to room air conditioners and fans, particularly ceiling fans. Here are some tips, offered by the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy.

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

Tell your MA state Legislator to get engaged on clean transportation!

As frequent readers of our blog will know, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. The cars, trucks, and buses on our roads are also responsible for pollution that causes direct and widespread harm to human health – harm that disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. Right now, there’s something you can do about it: get your legislator to attend an upcoming briefing on bills that will work on these issues!

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Electricity and the grid Rhode Island

National Grid wants to Sell Its Rhode Island Business. Is that in the public interest?

A few months ago, news broke that National Grid planned to sell the Narragansett Electric and Gas Companies to a Pennsylvania-based company named PPL. In its deal with PPL, National Grid hopes to gain PPL’s business in the United Kingdom in exchange for Rhode Island’s electric and gas customers. However, this is not a done deal: over the coming year, Rhode Island regulators are charged with reviewing whether the sale is in the “public interest.” The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities’ decision will have significant impacts not just on the two companies, but on consumers, state policy, and climate action.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien , Kai Salem 
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Mal Skowron
Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Our enemies are gasoline and the internal combustion engine

From 1982 to 2016, Green Energy Consumers Alliance focused our attention on building energy for homes and businesses. But in 2016, alarmed at the rise in greenhouse gas emissions from cars, we became aware of the potential of vehicle electrification as a measure to reduce those emissions. Since we are an alliance of consumers and, at our core, connect energy users to cleaner options through our program offerings, we looked outside the house and began our Drive Green program in order to educate people about electric vehicles (EVs) and to give them a chance to get one at a more affordable price.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek