New England's Heating Oil Crisis: Why Heat Pumps Are The Smart Switch
For several months, we have seen multiple news reports about the dramatic increase in gasoline and diesel prices...
Energy efficiency
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Shave The Peak: Summer 2026 Wrap-Up
This summer, we’ve been tracking peak demand, peak temperatures, and prices with help from the data collected by ISO New England (ISO-NE), the grid operator for our region. We monitored energy trends on a daily basis to provide insights to our Shave the Peak subscribers.
Rising Fuel Prices Make Mass Save More Important Than Ever
In the Bay State, the legislature is grappling with the question of how much to spend on the efficiency program known as Mass Save. This blog is mostly about that debate and how it affects about 20 percent of the homes in Massachusetts heated by oil, but the basic point being made here applies equally to the other New England states: state energy efficiency programs are our best defense against the harsh and frequent vicissitudes that plague the oil market.
Save the Jobs at Mass Save
There’s a lot at stake in the negotiations between the Massachusetts House and Senate over energy affordability legislation. Each branch has passed its own version, and now three members from each side are meeting to reconcile differences in a conference committee. It is expected that they will come out with one final product before Election Day in November. We have written a lot about the bills each side has passed, as well as the affordability offered by Governor Maura Healey in the spring of 2025.
It Pays to Plug In Your EV: New Vehicle-To-Grid Program In Massachusetts
Some electric vehicle (EV) owners in Massachusetts with eligible vehicles will soon be able to receive compensation for plugging in their EVs and sending electricity back to the grid. The process of sending electricity back to the grid from your EV, also known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), can help EV drivers earn extra money from their vehicles while reducing stress on the grid during peak energy demand days. This V2G opportunity will be administered through electric utility companies National Grid and Eversource through their ConnectedSolutions program.
Mid-summer Observations About Shaving The Peak
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.
Renter-Friendly Devices That Could Lower Your Energy Bill
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.
Massachusetts State Senate Passes an Excellent Energy Bill
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.
Massachusetts Senate To Vote On Energy This Wednesday: You Can Help!
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.
Mass. Senate Energy Bill – Not Perfect But Very Good!
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.