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

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A Very Disappointing Rhode Island Climate Action “Strategy”

The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) has approved the final 2025 Climate Action Strategy (CAS) and will send it to the General...

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Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

The Road to Net-Zero is Paved by Electric Buses

Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Electric Vehicles

In a recent post, we refreshed the notion of why driving an electric car is a better choice for the environment, even in areas that rely on fossil fuels for most of their electricity generation: in one word, efficiency. An electric vehicle is 3-4 times better at converting energy to miles driven compared to a combustion engine. In New England, the average electric car emits 73% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than a gasoline car on a per-mile basis. The emission reductions are even greater in the Massachusetts communities – and soon Rhode Island communities – that have adopted the model of green municipal aggregation.

Furthermore, a recent European study has concluded that electric cars are a better option for climate in 95% of the world already on a lifecycle basis, which includes manufacturing and end-of-life processes. While battery production certainly has environmental impact, there is a growing number of applications to give batteries a second life, turning a conundrum into opportunity, further reducing waste.

by Paola Massoli
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation

Hey Congress – please fix the federal tax credit for electric cars

By all accounts, the recession caused by COVID-19 is hammering the auto industry in the United States and worldwide. Many factories are closed and dealerships have laid off most of their employees. Not surprisingly, members of Congress from some states most affected – Michigan, Ohio, and Alabama – are working on ideas to stimulate demand for new cars. Details are scant but as reported in the Washington Post on May 6, it appears to be along the lines of a “Cash for Clunkers” program.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Climate change

Five Climate Change Lessons from COVID-19

Editor’s Preface: Paola Massoli has been working as a research analyst on our advocacy team. Paola has a PhD In Atmospheric Science and is finishing up a master’s degree in Sustainability & Environment. Recently she has been thinking about lessons we might be able to learn from COVID-19 that could prepare us better to tackle the climate crisis.

by Paola Massoli
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts

Massachusetts Formalizes Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050...What's the Plan for 2030?

The Baker Administration recently issued its much-anticipated letter of determination formalizing Massachusetts’ commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a requirement first referenced in Baker’s 2020 state of the state address. Adjusting the GWSA to reflect scientific consensus and mandating pursuit of an ambitious long-term target is welcome news. But what does it mean for state-led clean energy and climate action in the immediate term?


Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Electric Pick-ups Beyond the Tesla Cybertruck

Electric cars have long been bogged down by the same stereotypes. People claim that they are less powerful than their gasoline counterparts, made just for urban life, and not in it for the “long-haul” journey. The call for innovation to reimagine what an EV can do or look like has been heard by an array of automakers, from established brands to up and coming change makers. Whether the world is ready or not, 2020 marks the dawn of the Electric Pickup Truck.

by Tori Yanco
Climate change

A Golden Anniversary for Earth Day

Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which is celebrated worldwide to remind us of how important it is to take care of our planet.

In those days, it seemed like there was some awakening. A few months after the first Earth Day, Neil Young released the song, After the Gold Rush, with its great line – “Look at Mother Nature on the run / In the 1970s”. Activism, set to music, would surely result in long-lasting change, right?

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Electric vehicles/Transportation Guest blog/Member spotlight

Across the US and Back in a Fully Electric Vehicle

One of the top concerns we at Green Energy Consumers hear from people who are considering switching to an electric vehicle is: "how far can I go?" Well, two of our EV Ambassadors recently completed an 8,854-mile road-trip from Massachusetts all the way to California in an all-electric Kia Niro EV and kindly wrote up this blogpost for us. It's longer than our usual blogposts, but well worth the trip (pun intended!) for all who are interested in the nitty-gritty of taking a really, *really* long road-trip in an all-electric car. The following was all written by Glen Ayers, with a couple of editorial notes from Green Energy Consumers in italics.

by Glen Ayers (Guest Blogger)
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Medium-Duty Electric Vans and Shuttle Buses

In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the transportation sector is arguably one of the most promising sectors in terms of switching to clean energy. Transportation accounts for 43% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in MA and 36% of emissions in RI. Electric vehicles are, therefore, one of the keys to reaching both states’ long term climate goals. Our Drive Green program helps to put electric passenger vehicles on the road, but we’d like to draw your attention to another part of the market: medium-duty vehicles. The medium-duty segment of the market has not kept pace with light-duty (passenger) electric vehicles. Beyond passenger cars, we frequently get asked about electric passenger vans and shuttles for institutions around New England, like schools, research institutions, hospitals, and private companies. Here’s what you should know about electrified medium-duty vehicle market in 2020.

Rhys Webb 
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Picture of Devan DiLibero Devan DiLibero
Renewable energy Electricity and the grid Climate change

How To Avoid Getting Greenwashed

Have you been hearing from "green" electricity suppliers like CleanChoice Energy? You might want to support renewable energy, but are skeptical if your money will actually go toward shifting our electricity away from fossil fuels.

This is a valid concern, and (because of our awesome Green Powered electricity program) one we hear often. That's why we address it pretty regularly on our blog.

Blog: Are You Getting Greenwashed?

Picture of Erin Taylor Erin Taylor