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

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Is There Such A Thing As Too Much DC Fast Charging?

It’s no secret that we are big fans of electric vehicles (EVs) here at Green Energy Consumers Alliance – they have lower operational costs over their...

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Phasing out fossil fuels (8)

Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Should Massachusetts phase out rebates for new oil- and gas-fired systems for heat and hot water?

Recently I was asked by the Boston Globe to write 350 words on why the Mass Save energy efficiency program should phase out rebates for new oil-fired systems for heat and hot water. Another writer took the opposite view and readers were invited to vote for their preferred argument. The Globe’s request was reasonable and so I wrote my piece, but in this expanded blog, I can better address some important points in the discussion.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Green municipal aggregation Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Guest Blog: How Massachusetts cities & towns are leading our transition to clean energy

As mayors representing a diverse group of communities across Massachusetts, we are in a unique position to be on the front lines of how the big global issues manifest from block to block in our neighborhoods. One of the many ways we see this is in how our residents want to power their homes and businesses. Their message to us is clear: they want cost-effective solutions that speed our transition to clean and renewable energy, and they want innovative and meaningful ways to help them combat the climate crisis.

Joe Curtatone , Kim Driscoll Joseph Petty 
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Yvonne Spicer
Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Our enemies are gasoline and the internal combustion engine

From 1982 to 2016, Green Energy Consumers Alliance focused our attention on building energy for homes and businesses. But in 2016, alarmed at the rise in greenhouse gas emissions from cars, we became aware of the potential of vehicle electrification as a measure to reduce those emissions. Since we are an alliance of consumers and, at our core, connect energy users to cleaner options through our program offerings, we looked outside the house and began our Drive Green program in order to educate people about electric vehicles (EVs) and to give them a chance to get one at a more affordable price.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
 and
Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation Phasing out fossil fuels

Policy is rigged to favor gas guzzlers over climate, health, & consumers

In April 2020, while the economy shuttered and infection rates for COVID-19 in the US skyrocketed, pickup truck sales exceeded sedan sales for the first time. Passenger cars are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and more people than ever believe man-made climate change is happening. So how are biggest gas-guzzling cars taking over the industry?

by Mal Skowron
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Rhode Island Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Getting to 100% Renewable Energy in Rhode Island

In January 2020, Governor Raimondo signed an Executive Order setting a goal of meeting Rhode Island electricity demand from 100% renewable sources by the end of the decade. Back in January, we wrote that we’re skeptical that another study will result in the action we need. Over six months later, where does Rhode Island stand on 100% renewable electricity?

Kai Salem 
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Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Electricity and the grid Rhode Island Phasing out fossil fuels

Turning Governor Raimondo's executive order on 100% renewable energy into action in 2020

Last week, Governor Raimondo signed Executive Order 20-01, Advancing 100% Renewable Energy Future for Rhode Island by 2030. The order came on the heels of particularly disconcerting assertions made in the same week by Speaker Mattiello about the limited impact that action taken in Rhode Island can have on the climate crisis overall.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien