Consumers for Climate (42)

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...

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Working Toward a Clean, Reliable Electric Grid

On January 17, 2018, ISO New England (“ISO”) released a draft of its Operational Fuel Security Analysis. This study lays out many different possibilities for a 2024/25 winter, assessing the electric grid’s reliability under a varying array of assumptions. ISO’s main finding is clear: adding more renewables and more imports, and increasing the availability of LNG deliveries and backup oil during supply emergencies, will all contribute to improved system reliability.

Patrick Knight of Synapse Energy Economics Feb 19, 2018 9:49:00 AM

Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Climate change

Are we finally prioritizing climate? Senate Committee Releases Comprehensive Energy Bill

Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change released a comprehensive omnibus energy bill, An act to promote a clean energy future: to protect our public health, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill is a compilation of several pieces of legislation filed this session, including the important RPS & the Appliance Efficiency Standards bills, but it also reflects public input provided during a series of Clean Energy Conversations that Committee Chair Marc Pacheco hosted throughout the spring and summer. Several of the bills have received favorable recommendations from the joint energy committee of the House and Senate (read more about this below).

Eugenia Gibbons Feb 15, 2018 4:07:56 PM

Energy policy & advocacy Energy efficiency

Appliance Standards: The mightiest energy saver you’ve never heard of

When it comes to combatting climate change, energy efficiency is our first line of defense. It is an abundant, low-cost resource capable of curbing demand, reducing emissions, and saving consumers money. When we hear “energy efficiency,” insulation and weatherization, lightbulbs and power strips immediately come to mind; but energy efficiency takes many forms, which is why appliance standards just may be the best climate and energy policy tool you’ve never heard of.

Eugenia Gibbons

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Kat Burnham

Jan 31, 2018 5:39:39 PM

Electric vehicles/Transportation

It’s cold outside. What about EVs?

As you may have noticed, it's gotten to be *really* cold recently. Electric vehicle (EV) performance does change in winter, but so does that of gas-powered cars.

Anna Vanderspek Dec 20, 2017 11:42:19 AM

Green municipal aggregation

Communities Hitting Home Runs with Green Power

We’ve been saying for a while that communities should exercise their right to choose their electricity supply because it’s a cost-effective way to increase renewable energy content. Today we have further proof that Green Municipal Aggregation (GMA) or Community Choice Energy (CCE), whatever you want to call it, works!

Larry Chretien Nov 21, 2017 3:56:16 PM

Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation

Federal Tax Credit in Jeopardy

As you may have heard, the existing federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for electric vehicles (EVs) would be repealed under the tax legislation filed in the U.S. House of Representatives with support from the White House last week. If the tax bill is passed in its current form, the EV tax credit would be available for 2017 purchases but not for 2018 and beyond. We strongly oppose the repeal of the EV tax credit. If you are concerned too, please contact your US Representative and express your feelings. But honestly, we know that the Massachusetts and Rhode Island delegations will be opposed to the tax bill for several reasons.

Larry Chretien

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Anna Vanderspek

Nov 10, 2017 3:15:37 PM

Energy policy & advocacy Climate change

Time & speed are of the essence: the cost of clean energy is not a speed bump

Massachusetts and Rhode Island are nationally recognized as clean energy leaders. The gains made to date are impressive, but mitigating climate change necessitates even more substantial investment in efficiency, renewables, and emerging technologies.

Larry Chretien Sep 25, 2017 4:26:16 PM

Renewable energy

Your solar questions answered: Mass Solar Connect webinar

There are less than two months left to take advantage of the Mass Solar Connect price savings on solar panels for your home or business. The deadline for participating is Oct 31. Learn more during our short webinar recording below.

Loie Hayes Sep 11, 2017 6:04:37 PM

Renewable energy

Great feedback about Mass Solar Connect

Our members and friends are surprised at how easy it is to get the information you need to consider solar on the Mass Solar Connect web platform (powered by EnergySage), without a big sales pitch or a big demand for research or study. More than 300 people have now signed up for Mass Solar Connect information and we're getting great feedback. (Rhode Islanders, we'll soon be offering you a similar program, but until then you can use EnergySage for great information and solar shopping.)

Loie Hayes Aug 25, 2017 9:59:34 AM

Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts

Why Massachusetts needs both a Clean Energy Standard (CES) and an increase in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

On August 11th, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) finalized several long-awaited regulations intended to help Massachusetts comply with the 2020 GHG emission reductions mandated by the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The regulations, which were supposed to take effect on January 1, 2013, are several years overdue. That they come now is the result of a May 2016 decision by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) and Executive Order 569 signed by Governor Baker last September.