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

Is Mass Save capable of phasing out natural gas?

Posted by Larry Chretien on Monday, November 07, 2022 @ 11:55 AM

Massachusetts and Rhode Island have both committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions economy-wide to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Achieving these required reductions means zeroing out emissions associated with heating our homes and businesses, which means phasing out the combustion of fossil fuels for heat.

Our two favorite states have had nation-leading energy efficiency programs for many years and those programs have saved an impressive amount of electricity, heating oil, propane, and natural gas. But are these programs up to the task of actually phasing out fossil fuels by 2050?

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Energy efficiency, Climate change, Phasing out fossil fuels

What's Up With the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Rebate?

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Friday, October 21, 2022 @ 05:22 PM

Massachusetts’ rebate program for electric vehicles, MOR-EV, has been critical to the growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the Commonwealth. This summer, Governor Baker signed into law An Act Advancing Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, which made important changes to the state EV rebate program. Those changes, however, have not yet come into effect. Here’s a summary of what changes are coming, when we think they might actually happen, and what’s causing the delay. 

Update: On November 17, 2022, the Department of Energy Resources announced that the MOR-EV rebate for battery-electric vehicles has been increased to $3,500. The DOER press release also stated that plug-in hybrids will continue to be eligible for a $1,500 rebate as long as they have at least 25 miles of electric range. DOER has not yet increased the final sales price limit from $50,000 to $55,000. You can read more about these changes in this more recent blogpost.

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation

Why We Support the Fair Share Amendment

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Monday, October 17, 2022 @ 12:34 PM

Green Energy Consumers is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, which means we cannot support or endorse a candidate running for public office in an election. However, we can – and do – support policy proposals, including ones being decided via a ballot question in an election. This fall, we urge you to VOTE YES on Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment. We see it as an important tool in the toolbox in the race to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s why. 

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Action Alert

Take Action on Massachusetts’ 2050 Climate Plan

Posted by Larry Chretien & Anna Vanderspek on Saturday, October 15, 2022 @ 10:00 AM

Once again, Massachusetts is working on a clean energy and climate plan – this time for 2050 – and your input is needed by October 21.

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Climate change, Action Alert

Why We Need Building Performance Standards in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Posted by Larry Chretien on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 @ 01:26 PM

Background

Recently, we posted a blog on one policy, the Clean Heat Standard, to decarbonize the building sector.  Consider it one tool in the tool chest and understand that it’s usually not possible to make anything with just one tool. With this blog, we will explore a complimentary policy – Building Performance Standards (BPS).

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electricity and the grid

Why We Need a (Good) Clean Heat Standard – a message for Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Posted by Larry Chretien on Thursday, September 15, 2022 @ 11:43 AM

Energy standards have changed our electricity and auto industries for the better. Now it’s time to bring the same idea to how we heat our buildings.

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Energy efficiency, Home heating

What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Monday, September 12, 2022 @ 12:53 PM

On August 16, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest investment in fighting climate change on the national level this country has ever seen. The IRA is a huge deal and fundamentally changes the game for our work here at the state level. On August 31, we held a webinar to discuss the IRA and its impact on three levels: on individual consumers who want to go green, on towns and cities, and on the state. Here is the webinar recording, as well as a summary and clips of each individual section. Enjoy!

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Electricity and the grid, Energy efficiency, Climate change, Phasing out fossil fuels

No New Gas Cars After 2035?

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Friday, September 09, 2022 @ 09:30 AM

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Rhode Island

The New Federal Tax Credit for EVs

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Monday, August 22, 2022 @ 02:50 PM

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation

What Candidates for RI Governor Think about Phasing Out Gasoline

Posted by Mal Skowron on Friday, August 12, 2022 @ 08:15 AM

Last week, the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) hosted a forum for candidates running RI Governor to discuss their plans for the environment if elected. The forum covered several of Rhode Island’s most pressing environmental issues, including environmental justice and implementation of the Act On Climate. But one question stood out.

Moderator Ed Fitzpatrick of the Boston Globe asked: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, should Rhode Island set an end date for the last sales of new gasoline-powered automobiles like some other states?

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Rhode Island