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

Climate Change Had Its Day in Court

Back in November 2014, I wrote about how Mass Energy has joined with the Conservation Law Foundation in a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts because the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection had not written regulations required by the Global Warming Solutions Act. The regulations are about ensuring that we meet the law’s requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020, an important milestone on the way to the ultimate requirement of 80% by 2050. On Friday, January 8, oral arguments in the case were presented to the Supreme Judicial Court. I’m happy to report that the attorney on our side, Jenny Rushlow of the Conservation Law Foundation, did an outstanding job of presenting our argument and answering good questions from the justices.

Why Buying New England Class I RECs is the Only Way to Make the Switch

The average home uses electricity all day long and most of us don’t even think about it. You may have heard that you can use your energy dollar to demand 100% clean renewable electricity instead of your utility’s dirty resource mix. Programs aimed at helping you green up the grid are numerous in this country, but many don’t deliver the intended results. However, in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, there is one way to ensure that your green power payments are making a difference:  by purchasing Class I or “new” Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

The subject matter in this blog is still relevant in 2019, but for a more current blog on the same topic, click here.

SustainPVD: New Plan, Big Potential for Providence Sustainability

The City of Providence is actively improving a plan to become more sustainable in several sectors, and PP&L is thrilled that the recent topic for open review was energy. The “Sustainable Providence” plan was spearheaded by the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Sustainability Task Force. The old plan is being revitalized as “SustainPVD” by Mayor Jorge Elorza and new Sustainability Director Leah Bamberger. The revision process is open to the public and all interested are encouraged to engage in the development. 

Why I voted against the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Three Year Plan

In Massachusetts, three-year plans for energy efficiency are developed by the utilities with input and oversight from the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC). Right now, the next plan’s final draft is filed with the MA Department of Public Utilities for approval, accompanied by a recommendation from the Council. As a member of the EEAC, representing the Mass. Nonprofit Network, I was the sole vote on October 26 against the plan for 2016-2018. This post will explain why.

Massachusetts’ Three Year Energy Efficiency Plan Update: Where will the country’s most efficient state take EE next?

The Massachusetts Green Communities Act (GCA) requires investor-owned gas and electric utilities to capture all efficiency and demand reduction resources that are less expensive than supply. Proposed savings through efficiency are detailed in what is referred to as Three Year Efficiency Plans (3YP). The plan for 2016-2018 has been in development for the last ten months. The utilities released their most current draft plan on September 23^rd and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), a group of appointees tasked with overseeing plan development, has yet to approve what has been proposed or to make its recommendation to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) regarding plan approval.

Feds Forecast a Less Expensive Heating Oil Winter: What does that mean for state policies?

On October 6, the Federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected that heating your home with oil will cost 25 percent less than last year and heating your home with natural gas will cost 10 percent less due to a nice combination of lower prices and a forecast for warmer weather.  Temperatures for each month from October through March are expected to be higher than the 10-year average.  For heating oil customers, this winter could cost $500 or $1000 less than last winter.

June electricity prices lowest in 12 years: So why more gas pipelines?

What’s Happening with Electricity Rates and What Can Be Done About it?

Consumers have been on an electric rates rollercoaster ride this past year. Many have been left reeling from a freezing winter and higher-than-usual electric rates. The good news is that rates will be dropping back down this summer for utility basic supply customers. National Grid’s rate decreased more than 40% as of May 1^st (for MA customers). Eversource customers will likely experience similar decreases beginning July 1^st. These summer rate drops will provide much needed relief, but what needs to be done to ensure this does not continue to happen in winters to come?

People’s Power & Light and RI Energy Policy

The warmer weather and blossoms on Smith Hill are evidence we’re in the heat of the Rhode Island legislative session. People’s Power & Light (PP&L) has invited key policy makers, including General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, to our upcoming Annual Meeting May 13^th. The evening is an opportunity for energy professionals and friends to learn about key policies PP&L supports. Rhode Island continues to make meaningful progress in green infrastructure, but there is more work to be done.

Guest Blog: Regulatory Review A Dangerous Path

Baker's call to streamline rules threatens forward-looking Massachusetts policies

Originally published on www.CommonwealthMag.org.  Read the original article here.