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.
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.
As the presidential election approaches, we are grounded in the work that has been done in the first half of this decade to advance clean energy policy and jobs, reduce household energy costs, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, we want to acknowledge the real potential consequences of backsliding on these accomplishments under an administration that does not support the growth of clean energy. This blog will highlight some climate wins we have seen in the prior 4 years, and underscore the impact Project 2025 would have in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In our work, we pay close attention to the agencies regulating the electric and gas utilities. In Rhode Island, that’s the Public Utilities Commission (PUC); in Massachusetts, that’s the Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
Both commissions have always had a big job – regulating what economists call "natural monopolies." "Natural" because it doesn’t make sense to have more than one company in a community distributing electricity or gas. How many poles and pipes do we really want?However, the role of utility regulators takes on a whole new importance when we realize that we must phase out fossil fuels and electrify buildings and transportation. If utility regulation was ever easy, it’s not anymore.
Welcome to fall! While the seasons are changing, so is the electric vehicle (EV) market. Read the newest edition of our quarterly Car Corner to learn about new developments: which EVs are available for purchase or lease, upcoming EVs, the latest news on the North American Charging Standard (NACS), and updates on local rebates & incentives.
This fall, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is hosting a series of Open Houses where you can learn more about the state’s plan to build fast charging stations with federal funding – and share your thoughts with MassDOT.
The Office of Energy Resources, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, just launched a home electric vehicle (EV) charging rebate program! PowerUpRI provides rebates for both homeowners and landlords to install EV charging stations on their properties, making the transition to electric vehicles more accessible and affordable.
If you are reading this, you probably know that the Massachusetts legislature failed to produce a climate bill by the 2023/2024 session’s deadline of July 31. They even suspended their rules and went into August 1st but to no avail. The clock ran out, but it’s worth taking some time to understand how that happened and what it means for the near future.
Just over a year ago, we wrote about how General Motors and Ford electric vehicle (EV) drivers would soon have access to the Tesla charging network. Recently, some Ford drivers in our network were the first to test this new adaptor out – here’s how it went.
If you read our blog on the High Cost of Saying NO to Offshore Wind, you know that offshore wind technology brings numerous benefits. Fortunately, New Englanders are increasingly aware of said benefits. Recent poll resultsfrom the Barr Foundation highlight consensus among Southern New England residents in favor of offshore wind initiatives. Conducted by Hart Research between June 7-16, this poll surveyed over 1,200 registered voters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, showcasing strong regional support for transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources.
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