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

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

Rhode Island Needs the Building Decarbonization Act

Calling all Rhode Islanders! We are nearing the end of our legislative session, and we are still pushing for the Building Decarbonization Act (H5493/...

Read more
Electric vehicles/Transportation

What to Expect in the World of Electric Cars in 2020

After record sales numbers in 2018, the market for electric vehicles (EVs) experienced only modest growth in 2019. Most EV sales this past year (like last year and the year before that) were Teslas in California, but with an expected 19 million EVs to hit the road in the US by 2030, the tipping point for widespread vehicle electrification is near. Here are seven reasons that EVs should be on the upswing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island starting in 2020.

by Mal Skowron
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation

Massachusetts Reinstates Consumer Funding for Electric Vehicles

In November, we wrote about efforts to replenish Massachusetts’ state rebate for electric vehicles, which was then stalled in the legislature. Late the following month, lawmakers reached agreement on a proposed Supplemental Budget that included an infusion of much-needed dollars to bring back Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV), the only direct incentive offered by the state to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Now MOR-EV will benefit from an infusion of at least $27 million dollars per year for the next two years!

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
 and
Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Webinar: Everything you need to know about EV charging

There are many reasons to switch to an electric car - lower carbon emissions, less engine maintenance, and smooth handling, to name a few. But even if you’re sold on the consumer benefits of driving on electricity, it can still be a little intimidating to learn how to charge when you’re used to refueling with gasoline.

“Charged up: Everything you need to know about EV charging” is a 50-minute long webinar to make your transition to an electric vehicle as smooth as possible. View the whole webinar below.

by Mal Skowron
Renewable energy Massachusetts Energy efficiency Rhode Island

7 Days of Gratitude - one non-profit reflects

With innovative clean energy developers, enthusiastic members, amazing staff and board, and awesome volunteers in the mix, our organization's story can be told in what we're grateful for.  We hope these stories will inspire you to support our work the same way they have inspired us to persevere.

Give right now

Here's a quick recap of #7DaysofGratitude (click to read each individual story):

Day 1 - Sumul Shah and Malcolm Brown, wind advocates & developers
Day 2 - Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in the country
Day 3 - John & Claire Fitzmaurice, Joel Golden, and all our other Electric Car Ambassadors
Day 4 - Conservation Law Foundation, our amazing partners
Day 5 - Our hardworking staff and board
Day 6 - Dedicated community organizers working on Green Municipal Aggregation
Day 7 - Ricard Torres Mateluna and Christine Hatch, Heating Oil members who've become as energy efficient as they can!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more #7DaysofGratitude.

Picture of Erin Taylor Erin Taylor
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation

Funding for Electric Vehicles stalled at the Massachusetts State House. Call Your Legislators!

November 20th marked the end of formal session in Year 1 of Massachusetts’ two-year legislative cycle. The remaining weeks of 2019 are considered “informal session,” during which bills may still be considered and moved, but formal activities not completed by last Thursday are largely on hold until the legislature formally reconvenes in the new year. A proposal to replenish consumer rebates for EVs is included in the supplemental budget (H.4132/S.2418) currently stalled at the State House. 

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Autonomous vehicles need to be electric.

In May 2019, Providence welcomed a fleet of autonomous shuttles to offer free transit service for a five-mile loop between Providence Station and Olneyville Square. The pilot program, called Little Roady, is a collaborative effort between the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and May Mobility, a Michigan-based tech company that has deployed autonomous shuttles in Detroit, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio.

by Mal Skowron