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

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Proposed Changes To Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recently proposed changes to the structure of the Massachusetts rebate program for electric...

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Climate change (3)

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

Newest Energy Bill Out In Massachusetts: Call Your Rep!

The House Ways and Means Committee has just put out a new version of their energy bill, H.5151, which is expected to be voted on by the full House this Thursday. This bill, while a massive improvement over what left the House Telecommunications Utility and Energy Committee in November, is still a mixed bag. Though it removes many of the previous bill’s worst provisions and improves consumer protections for electricity customers, it would still impose draconian cuts on the Mass Save program. Yet again, we need you to take action by calling your representative!

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Rhode Island Climate change Action Alert

Rhode Island State Agencies Give Up on Clean Energy and the Act on Climate

Rhode Island has an implementation problem. In the four years since Governor Dan McKee signed the landmark Act on Climate, declaring that it “represents a commitment that not only addresses a moral imperative, but also presents a platform to enhance our economy, public health, environmental equity, and natural environment” (Act on Climate Press Release, 2021), the state has passed scant additional policies that would drive down emissions.

Now, environmental, labor, and business leaders are reeling after reviewing the Governor’s proposed FY 2027 Budget that attempts to yank out foundational policies needed to meet the Act on Climate.  

Picture of Tina Munter Tina Munter 
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Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Climate change

Green Energy Consumers Joins Lawsuit to Stop Unlawful Federal Actions Against Wind & Solar

On January 12th, Green Energy Consumers joined a national coalition of regional wind and solar organizations, seeking immediate relief from the Trump administration’s unlawful federal permitting actions that violate the Administrative Procedure Act and arbitrarily and discriminatorily make wind and solar development effectively impossible throughout the country. These arbitrary and capricious actions strike at the heart of New England’s plans to expand the accessibility of affordable clean power. With household electricity bills continuing to sharply rise across the country, consumers should not be barred by the federal government from access to renewable energy.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Energy efficiency Climate change Action Alert

Don't Look Up: The Environmental Consequences of Mass. House of Representatives' Energy Bill

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is moving forward once again with an energy bill that could impact affordability and climate progress for years to come. The House Ways and Means Committee is working on a new draft, picking up where the Energy Committee left off in November with House Bill 4744, a truly awful piece of legislation. We believe that Ways and Means will come out with a new version by the second week of February.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Energy efficiency Climate change Action Alert

Stand Up For Massachusetts Clean Energy Programs

The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee seems to be close to advancing the controversial energy House Bill 4744. This would keep Massachusetts dependent on fossil fuels by cutting Mass Save’s budget, subsidizing gas equipment, and opening the door to putting the cost of new gas pipelines on the backs of electricity ratepayers.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Energy efficiency Rhode Island Climate change

A Very Disappointing Rhode Island Climate Action “Strategy”

The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) has approved the final 2025 Climate Action Strategy (CAS) and will send it to the General Assembly and the Governor’s office. The final plan falls short of being a strategy. Unfortunately, we had low expectations after reading the draft executive summary.

Picture of Tina Munter Tina Munter
Energy policy & advocacy Energy efficiency Heating Rhode Island Climate change Action Alert

Our Take on Rhode Island’s Climate Action Strategy

Rhode Island is at a crucial juncture in taking meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Strategy (CAS), which is a plan required of the state under the Act on Climate, is scheduled to be released to the public on Monday, December 15th, and the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory released by the Department of Environmental Management has been updated for 2023. These two reports provide context for where the state’s emissions are and what ought to be done to achieve the 2030 GHG reduction mandate. Prior to the release of the final CAS, the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) – Rhode Island’s interagency organization tasked with coordinating climate change efforts – released a draft executive summary for the Climate Action Strategy which claims that the state will be able to meet the 2030 Act on Climate (AOC) with the current policies RI has on the books, e.g. the Renewable Energy Standard, Advanced Clean Cars II, and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations (currently under litigation), current incentives for electric vehicles and heat pump, etc.

Picture of Tina Munter Tina Munter