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

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How to Choose the Right Heat Pump Installer

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Energy policy & advocacy (19)

Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation

Federal Tax Credit in Jeopardy

As you may have heard, the existing federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for electric vehicles (EVs) would be repealed under the tax legislation filed in the U.S. House of Representatives with support from the White House last week. If the tax bill is passed in its current form, the EV tax credit would be available for 2017 purchases but not for 2018 and beyond. We strongly oppose the repeal of the EV tax credit. If you are concerned too, please contact your US Representative and express your feelings. But honestly, we know that the Massachusetts and Rhode Island delegations will be opposed to the tax bill for several reasons.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
 and
Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts

Why Massachusetts needs both a Clean Energy Standard (CES) and an increase in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

On August 11th, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) finalized several long-awaited regulations intended to help Massachusetts comply with the 2020 GHG emission reductions mandated by the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The regulations, which were supposed to take effect on January 1, 2013, are several years overdue. That they come now is the result of a May 2016 decision by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) and Executive Order 569 signed by Governor Baker last September.  

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

Miles Behind Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals: Electric Vehicle Policy Troubles

In recent weeks, policymakers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have taken actions that will affect the states’ likelihood of meeting their stated goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their actions, or inaction, in the transportation sector are especially worth noting.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien , Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
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Kat Burnham
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation

Mobility Options for Everyone in the 21st Century

 

21st Century Mobility Runs on Electricity, the Greener the Better

We often write about the role of renewable energy in helping Massachusetts and Rhode Island ratchet down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) and the Resilient Rhode Island Act. However, it is also true that climate compliance in our states, like elsewhere, hinges on the transformation of the transportation sector.

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
 and
Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Climate change

"Coal’s out” shouldn’t mean more gas is in.

Image courtesy of Dynegy Inc.
 

With the closure of the Brayton Point, coal generation in MA is officially a thing of the past, but will it be replaced with a 21st century solution or more of the same?

 

May 31st marked the end of an era in Massachusetts when Brayton Point, the state’s last remaining coal-fired power plant closed. Located in Somerset, the 1500 MW plant was the largest coal-fired generator in New England. Its closure was first announced in 2013 with owners citing costs associated with maintaining the decades’ old facility and coal’s inability to compete economically with natural gas.

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts

New study confirms benefits to strengthening the Massachusetts’ Renewable Portfolio Standard

 An Analysis of the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard, prepared by Synapse Energy Economics and Sustainable Energy Advantage, demonstrates that increasing the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2% to 3% per year better positions the state to comply with the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), while reducing costs to consumers and creating jobs.

Press Release and full report are available online.

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Climate change

Mass DEP Finalizing Regulations – step in right direction, but still falling short

The Mass Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is currently finalizing regulations aimed at achieving compliance with the May 2016 decision by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) and Executive Order 569 (EO 569) signed by Governor Baker in September. In this blog post, I provide an overview of the regulations that were proposed and what lies ahead as MA attempts to comply with its climate law.

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons