Consumers for Climate (5)

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...

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Massachusetts Electricity Rate Reform is Heading in the Right Direction

Back in May, several Massachusetts state agencies came together to form an Interagency Rates Working Group (IRWG) to advance near- and long-term electric rate designs that align with the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals by prioritizing the reduction of energy burden while incentivizing transportation and building electrification. That statement of purpose is a mouthful but it succeeds at crystalizing the general consensus on Massachusetts energy policy goals among state officials and many advocates, including Green Energy Consumers Alliance — which is, how can we pay for energy in a way that keeps energy affordable for everyone and encourages getting off of fossil fuels?

Larry Chretien Jan 2, 2025 2:09:21 PM

Electric vehicles/Transportation

Introducing Our New EV Finder

We are very excited to announce our new-and-improved EV Finder, which can help you sort through the 90+ electric vehicle models available to consumers today to find the best fit for you!

Anna Vanderspek Dec 23, 2024 10:19:01 AM

Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation

Transportation in the 2024 Massachusetts Climate Bill

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the passage of the 2024 climate bill in Massachusetts, An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers, and wrote about its provisions related to reforming natural gas utilities, procuring battery storage, and siting and permitting. Here’s what the bill does on transportation.

Anna Vanderspek Dec 16, 2024 1:16:52 PM

Renewable energy Electricity and the grid

Incorrigible Greenwashing Electricity Suppliers Must Go

Almost exactly a year ago, I reported about a direct mail solicitation received from one of those retail electricity suppliers. Let’s call the company “Greenwashing Energy Choice.” Since then, that same company has been sending me similar pitches.

Larry Chretien Dec 10, 2024 11:41:14 AM

Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Action Alert

Massachusetts Action Alert: Stand Up for Clean Trucks (Again!)

Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced the delay of two key regulations that will clean up dangerous air pollution from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Though the delays are not full rollbacks, they come after heavy industry lobbying, and it’s crucial to defend these important standards at public hearings on Monday, December 9, or in writing by 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Anna Vanderspek Dec 6, 2024 5:58:10 PM

Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Closing the Spark Gap is Key to Electrification

Meeting climate goals anywhere, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, depends upon electrifying everything – cars, space heating, water heating, stoves, and clothes dryers. Combustion has to be phased out. Federal and state purchase incentives for many of those items help level the playing field on an up-front cost basis. However, they do not address operating costs. To meet our climate goals, we must reduce the ratio of prices for electricity versus prices for fossil fuels – the Spark Gap.

Larry Chretien

and

Anna Vanderspek

Dec 4, 2024 3:28:22 PM

Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

Want An Electric Vehicle? Get It Now!

There’s a lot of speculation in the news right now regarding the incoming Trump administration’s plans for key energy and climate policies. Nobody can predict exactly what will happen when, but one thing is clear: if you are considering purchasing or leasing a new or used electric vehicle (EV) in the next couple of months, do it before the end of the year if you can.

Anna Vanderspek Nov 27, 2024 5:11:56 PM

Massachusetts Heating

What caused the Recent Increase in Massachusetts Natural Gas Rates?

On October 31st, the Boston Globe and other media outlets reported that most natural gas (methane) customers in Massachusetts are going to experience a big increase in the winter-time rates (November through May). Eversource was approved by state regulators for rate increases of 25% to 30%, while National Grid got approved to hike its rate by 11% to 13%.

Larry Chretien

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Carrie Katan

Nov 22, 2024 11:30:00 AM

Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts

Well Worth the Wait: Massachusetts 2024 Climate Bill

On November 14th the House and Senate passed Massachusetts’ latest climate law which is a compromise of bills passed by the two chambers earlier in the year. We are happy to write that, while their compromise did not contain everything we were pushing for, it makes great strides on a wide range of issues from supporting EV charging to reforming the state’s gas utility laws.

Carrie Katan

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Tina Munter

Nov 18, 2024 10:03:16 AM

Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Rhode Island Our programs Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Let's Rally: MA & RI Lead On Climate and Must Continue To Do So

Last week's national election was horrible for federal energy and climate policy. Green Energy Consumers Alliance is not chartered to engage in elections, but we are allowed to talk policy. So, we will.

by Staff & Board at Green Energy Consumers Alliance Nov 15, 2024 10:21:17 AM

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