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

Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks: Building a Bigger System Doesn’t Fix the Problem

Beneath our feet is a vast network of natural gas distribution infrastructure. The aging pipes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are among some of the oldest in the region and the nation, which means they are also some of the most leak-prone. We’ve known for some time that the methane (CH₄) emitted through natural gas pipeline leaks contributes significantly to global warming. This is because methane is about 35 times more potent than carbon dioxide (C0_2), trapping a lot more heat in the atmosphere. However, a recent study reveals that natural gas distribution systems are leaking far more methane than previously estimated.

This revelation comes at a time when utility executives and several public officials continue to push for new pipelines, paid for by New England electricity ratepayers, to bring more natural gas into the region to burn in power plants[1]. So, when public officials call for more natural gas, are they going to take commensurate counter measures to ensure that we can get on track to reducing emissions as called for in the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) and the Resilient Rhode Island Act (RRA): 80% by 2050?

Taking Another Step On the Global Warming Solutions Act

In 2008, Governor Patrick signed the Green Communities Act (GCA) and the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). These laws propelled Massachusetts into the forefront on clean energy. The GWSA and its corresponding Clean Energy and Climate Plan mandate that the Commonwealth reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2050, with an interim goal of 25 percent by 2020. These are ambitious targets, to be sure. In fact they are among the best in the nation, which is why the GWSA also says that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to write regulations that would, “establish a desired level of declining annual aggregate emission limits for sources or categories of sources that emit greenhouse gases.”

The regulations were supposed to have been adopted by January 2012 to take effect in January 2013, but DEP has not written those regulations yet. So Mass Energy has joined with the Conservation Law Foundation and others in filing a legal complaint in Superior Court, asking the court to enforce the law and require DEP to write the necessary regulations. 

Some Math Showing Our Huge Under-Investment in Energy Efficiency

There are some funny rules in the energy game. In both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, energy efficiency is required to cost LESS than natural gas or electricity. But natural gas and electricity are allowed to cost more than energy efficiency. There’s no level playing field. So how does that play out?

The Gubernatorial Forum on Energy, the Environment & the Innovation Economy

On Wednesday 10/8/2014 Mass Energy Consumers Alliance “greened”* the standing-room-only Gubernatorial Forum on Energy, the Environment & the Innovation Economy co-hosted by the Environmental League of Massachusetts and several other environmental organizations. At this event Jeff McCormick (I), Martha Coakley (D), Charlie Baker (R) and Evan Falchuk (I) offered remarks and answered a few pre-determined questions regarding where they stand on key environmental and energy issues.

All of the candidates expressed some level of commitment to core issues such as investing in energy efficiency, expanding the state’s energy portfolio to include more renewable energy, reaching the emission reduction goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act and collaborating with other states on climate change. George Bachrach, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts and emcee of the event, speaking for the hosting environmental groups, commented that all of the candidates were “closer to our views  than any slate of candidates, at least I have ever seen before, smart thoughtful candidates that I think are hearing us.” But the candidates were divided on how to achieve these goals.

Photo Blog: Reflecting on the People’s Climate March

Mass Energy’s message of clean, affordable energy was echoed by about 400,000 people on New York City on Sept. 21. The People’s Climate March was timed to coincide with a United Nations Summit on Climate Change. According to the UN, “Climate change is not a far-off problem. It is happening now and is having very real consequences on people’s lives. Climate change is disrupting national economies, costing us dearly today and even more tomorrow.  But there is a growing recognition that affordable, scalable solutions are available now that will enable us all to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient economies.

“There is a sense that change is in the air. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited world leaders, from government, finance, business, and civil society to Climate Summit 2014 this 23 September to galvanize and catalyze climate action.  He has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015. Climate Summit 2014 provides a unique opportunity for leaders to champion an ambitious vision, anchored in action that will enable a meaningful global agreement in 2015.”

Rhode Island Sends Mixed Signals on Renewable Energy

Russia, Ukraine, and Heating Oil Prices