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

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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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Energy policy & advocacy Rhode Island

People’s Power & Light and RI Energy Policy

The warmer weather and blossoms on Smith Hill are evidence we’re in the heat of the Rhode Island legislative session. People’s Power & Light (PP&L) has invited key policy makers, including General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, to our upcoming Annual Meeting May 13th. The evening is an opportunity for energy professionals and friends to learn about key policies PP&L supports. Rhode Island continues to make meaningful progress in green infrastructure, but there is more work to be done.

by Kat Burnham
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy

Doubling Down on Renewables: Improving the MA Renewable Portfolio Standard and RI Renewable Energy Standard

Climate scientists have concluded that in order to prevent the Earth’s temperature from rising 2°C and avert the most dangerous impacts related to climate change, we must reduce carbon emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Since a significant portion of GHG emissions come from the electric sector, an obvious way to reduce emissions is to displace fossil fuels in that sector with zero-emission resources such as wind and solar. Not only does investing in renewables reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, but together with efficiency, renewable energy is the best way to hedge against price volatility of natural gas.

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
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Kat Burnham
Heating

Three insights on recent volatility in the heating oil market

Oil truck drivers trudge through record snowfall to keep tanks full.

This heating season, not quite done, has been one for the record books. Huge amounts of snow, very cold weather, but also a big drop in oil prices compared to last year categorized the winter. And it’s been the best year for Mass Energy/People’s Power & Light Discount Heating Oil Service members in a long time. Compared to surveys conducted by the state energy offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, throughout this winter our members have paid 44 cents less than full-service dealer prices in Massachusetts and 35 cents less than full-service dealer prices in Rhode Island, after adjusting for heating degree days. 

Phil Lindsay 
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Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Energy efficiency

Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks: Building a Bigger System Doesn’t Fix the Problem

Beneath our feet is a vast network of natural gas distribution infrastructure. The aging pipes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are among some of the oldest in the region and the nation, which means they are also some of the most leak-prone. We’ve known for some time that the methane (CH4) emitted through natural gas pipeline leaks contributes significantly to global warming. This is because methane is about 35 times more potent than carbon dioxide (C02), trapping a lot more heat in the atmosphere. However, a recent study reveals that natural gas distribution systems are leaking far more methane than previously estimated.

This revelation comes at a time when utility executives and several public officials continue to push for new pipelines, paid for by New England electricity ratepayers, to bring more natural gas into the region to burn in power plants[1]. So, when public officials call for more natural gas, are they going to take commensurate counter measures to ensure that we can get on track to reducing emissions as called for in the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) and the Resilient Rhode Island Act (RRA): 80% by 2050?

 
A map showing natural gas emissions across Boston. Source: www.bu.edu/cas/2012/11/20/thousands-of-natural-gas-leaks-discovered-in-boston
Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons