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

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Our Take on Rhode Island’s Climate Action Strategy

Rhode Island is at a crucial juncture in taking meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Strategy (CAS), which is a...

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Heating (2)

Massachusetts Energy efficiency Heating Climate change

Behold: Mass Save Will Deliver $13.6 Billion In Benefits Over Three Years

In the last few weeks, there has been much written about rising natural gas rates in Massachusetts and some commentary about whether the state’s energy efficiency program, Mass Save, is at fault. Two factors have caused our total gas bills to spike: gas rates were increased on November 1st and this winterhas had very cold weather that caused increased consumption. As a gas customer myself, that’s been my experience. But anger about Mass Save is misplaced. It’s true that the budget for Mass Save is likely to increase, but the program is a big part of the solution to our energy woes. And in fact, its existence benefits everyone financially – even folks who don’t take advantage of the Mass Save program offerings directly – by decreasing overall costs.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Closing the Spark Gap is Key to Electrification

Meeting climate goals anywhere, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, depends upon electrifying everything – cars, space heating, water heating, stoves, and clothes dryers. Combustion has to be phased out. Federal and state purchase incentives for many of those items help level the playing field on an up-front cost basis. However, they do not address operating costs. To meet our climate goals, we must reduce the ratio of prices for electricity versus prices for fossil fuels – the Spark Gap.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Massachusetts Heating

What caused the Recent Increase in Massachusetts Natural Gas Rates?

On October 31st, the Boston Globe and other media outlets reported that most natural gas (methane) customers in Massachusetts are going to experience a big increase in the winter-time rates (November through May). Eversource was approved by state regulators for rate increases of 25% to 30%, while National Grid got approved to hike its rate by 11% to 13%.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Energy efficiency Heating

Coordinating Mass Save with the Clean Heat Standard is Essential

This year, Massachusetts government agencies are working on major aspects of building decarbonization in three different arenas: Mass Save, the “Future of Gas” proceeding, and the Clean Heat Standard. The Commonwealth must coordinate these efforts to find the optimum set of policy solutions. This blog outlines our view on how state agencies should be coordinating these processes.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Heating Rhode Island Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

The Future of Gas in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Utility-supplied natural gas (methane) is the primary heating fuel in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, supplying 52% and 54% of homes, respectively. Given their mandates to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, both states are exploring strategies to transition away from their prevalent gas distribution systems. However, reducing and ultimately eliminating emissions from the heating sector, and doing so in a manner that minimizes costs to utility consumers and the state, is a formidable policy challenge. It will be an interesting journey, but one that must be taken.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker 
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Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Heating Phasing out fossil fuels

Introducing the Massachusetts Clean Heat Platform

Green Energy Consumers Alliance and our allied organizations are certain that more legislation is needed if Massachusetts is to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates. This is especially true when it comes to the state's second-largest source of emissions, the residential and commercial building sector. No one bill or policy proposed in this session is sufficient by itself to meet these objectives. However, several complementary policies have been proposed together that would move us away from fossil fuels and towards electrification.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Renewable Propane: A Reality Check

The propane industry has been advocating for the use of renewable propane to reduce emissions for their customer base. According to 2022 American Community Survey estimates, 153,000, or about 5 percent, of homes across Massachusetts and Rhode Island use propane as their primary heating fuel. That is a large enough number to take a close look at what renewable propane is all about. This blog provides a brief introduction to the fuel, if it will ever be affordable, and its climate impacts.  

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Heating Phasing out fossil fuels

Biodiesel & the Clean Heat Standard

In previous blogs, we expressed strong support for a Clean Heat Standard (CHS) as a policy to decarbonize the building sector. We have also expressed vehement opposition to the notion put forth by gas utilities of allowing renewable natural gas and hydrogen to be considered clean heat. This blog covers the question of whether biodiesel ought to be given credit as clean heat when blended with regular heating oil. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien