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

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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,...

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Phasing out fossil fuels

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 & Anna Vanderspek Larry Chretien & Anna Vanderspek
Electric vehicles/Transportation Rhode Island Phasing out fossil fuels

New Smart Charging Program for EV Drivers in Rhode Island

Here at Green Energy Consumers Alliance, we talk a lot about the need for managed charging programs for electric vehicles (EVs), both to reduce stress on our electric grid and to incentivize more EV adoption. So, we’re excited to announce that Rhode Island Energy (RIE) has just launched a new Electric Vehicle Demand Response (EVDR) program. Here are all the details and how you can sign up to help reduce grid demand during peak times – and earn up to $70!

Picture of Anna Vanderspek & Tina Munter Anna Vanderspek & Tina Munter
Energy policy & advocacy Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Project 2025 is a Dire Threat to Clean Energy and Climate Action

As the presidential election approaches, we are grounded in the work that has been done in the first half of this decade to advance clean energy policy and jobs, reduce household energy costs, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, we want to acknowledge the real potential consequences of backsliding on these accomplishments under an administration that does not support the growth of clean energy. This blog will highlight some climate wins we have seen in the prior 4 years, and underscore the impact Project 2025 would have in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Picture of Carrie Katan & Tina Munter Carrie Katan & Tina Munter
Renewable energy Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Poll Finds Majority Support for Offshore Wind in Southern New England

If you read our blog on the High Cost of Saying NO to Offshore Wind, you know that offshore wind technology brings numerous benefits. Fortunately, New Englanders are increasingly aware of said benefits. Recent poll resultsfrom the Barr Foundation highlight consensus among Southern New England residents in favor of offshore wind initiatives. Conducted by Hart Research between June 7-16, this poll surveyed over 1,200 registered voters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, showcasing strong regional support for transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation Rhode Island Phasing out fossil fuels

Rhode Island Is First State to Complete Phase 1 Under National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program

We write with some exciting news regarding Rhode Island’s transportation emission reduction efforts! Last week, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to complete Phase 1 of the alternative fuel corridor under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. The NEVI program is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and funds states to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to create an interconnected network that enhances data collection, access, and reliability for EV charging funding and development.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

A Reminder On Electric Cars, Climate, and Air Pollution

A June 18 Boston Globe story, “If even the secretary of transportation won’t take the train, who will?” greatly understates the value that electric vehicles bring to us in terms of reducing pollution causing both global warming and severe health problems. Much of the article is about how we need to support public transportation and reduce the total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by individual cars. We agree heartily on that point. We absolutely need to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and overall VMT to meet our climate goals, and public transit is a key way of doing that. (Not to mention all the social and economic benefits of a better public transit system.) But the cars that are left on our roads do need to be electric, and as soon as possible, for the sake of our climate and our health.

Picture of Larry Chretien & Anna Vanderspek Larry Chretien & Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Massachusetts State Senate Passed a Good Climate Bill

On Tuesday, June 25, the Mass. State Senate passed, by a vote of 38-2, An Act Upgrading the Grid and Protecting Consumers. We appreciate the Senate’s good work. They’re doing the right thing for consumers by banning retail electricity suppliers. They’re supporting EV adoption. And they are authorizing the Department of Public Utilities to regulate gas utilities in alignment with our climate mandates.

Picture of Larry Chretien, Carrie Katan, & Anna Vanderspek Larry Chretien, Carrie Katan, & Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Phasing out fossil fuels

Massachusetts Polling Shows Strong Support for Gas Utility Regulation and Electrification

Recent polling conducted by MassInc on behalf of Rewiring America and Green Energy Consumers Alliance shows strong public support for regulating gas utilities in ways that are compatible with the Commonwealth’s climate laws. The public also supports efforts aimed at switching from fossil fuel heating to electrification.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien