The beginning of July marked record-breaking heat in Boston and Providence. These temperatures caused electricity demand to surge—known as peak demand events—as people ran their air conditioners to stay cool.
On Friday, July 31, Governor Healey held a press conference announcing that she had sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate about her priorities for energy legislation. The House and Senate have each passed energy bills and have recently formed a conference committee to hash out differences. Their work may take several weeks as there are dozens of issues to resolve. In this context, the governor’s letter could be a significant factor, and we think it’s worth a few minutes of your time.
As the energy system evolves, we are working to ensure that no one is left behind. Emerging home energy technologies—like smart thermostats, window heat pumps, battery storage, plug-in solar, and induction stoves (descriptions below)—can help households lower energy bills, improve resilience, and support a cleaner, more affordable electric grid.
We’ve recently made some promotions! We’ve never had this many at once, so we’ll announce them together.
On July 1st, as temperatures reached well into the nineties, the Massachusetts State Senate passed an excellent bill. We say that because it will provide considerable savings for consumers without backsliding on commitments to clean energy.
On Wednesday, July 1, the Massachusetts State Senate is scheduled to vote on a major energy bill, Senate 3143. We are as deeply engaged in this matter as we can be. Your help is needed to make it the best possible law.
Here are some points we think you should know.
The Massachusetts State Senate is taking steps towards passing a very comprehensive energy bill before the holiday. As you remember, the House passed its energy bill back in February. The Senate Ways and Means Committee drafted the bill, and it is expected to be voted on by the full Senate on July 1. Overall, the bill is excellent insofar as it would make energy more affordable without backsliding on clean energy programs. There will be amendments filed to alter the committee's draft, but the starting point is solid. We do not endorse every provision in the bill, but there are major provisions that we enthusiastically support.
A battery storage system stores electricity that is either drawn from the grid or from an attached solar system during the times of the day when there is excess solar power being generated. The stored electricity can then be used at a later time, such as during a power outage.
Readers of our blog know that we are actively engaged in lobbying for a pro-consumer, pro-environment energy bill this legislative session in Massachusetts. We reported on the House’s version back in February. The State Senate has been working on the bill since then. Here’s a very brief update with an appeal for you to contact your senator.
Smart thermostat technology has existed since the early 2000s and is one of the most universally recognized smart technologies on the market. A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that allows you to control your home’s central heating and cooling virtually through an app. They use sensors and data to track your usage patterns and learn about your routine and temperature preferences over time, automatically adjusting when heating and air conditioning run. Smart thermostats can help lower your energy bills and avoid unnecessary energy use when you’re asleep or away from home. It also enables you to have complete control over your thermostat, even when you are away from home, giving you peace of mind.
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