EXELON GENERATION told federal regulators on Wednesday that it is willing to keep operating two power plants and a liquefied natural gas facility in Everett from 2022 to 2024 if […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment, Politics
Kulik: Pipeline resistance strong in House
THE LEADER OF THE ANTI-PIPELINE FORCES in the House said on Wednesday that the coalition remains strong and could probably defeat any legislative bid to have electric ratepayers finance a […]
Posted inOpinion
Union official backs Bay State Wind
OFFSHORE WIND BECAME A FOCUS for Massachusetts more than 10 years ago, and I have been caught up by it and am now engaged in the process of making it […]
Posted inEnvironment
Another skirmish in the pipeline wars
THE LATEST PIPELINE SKIRMISH centers around the two-week cold snap New England endured at the end of December and early January. Massachusetts businesses groups last week released a study that […]
Posted inOpinion
Obama saw a key role for natural gas
MASSACHUSETTS HAS A LONG HISTORY of leading the nation through innovative programs and establishing tough standards that improve public health and environmental protection. From some of the nation’s earliest innovative […]
Posted inOpinion
Time to update state’s appliance standards
MASSACHUSETTS HAS MADE great strides in reducing electric and gas usage through state policies and our nationally recognized energy efficiency programs. These programs have provided billions of dollars in rebates […]
Posted inEnvironment
Baker goes slow on smart meters
THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION authorized the state’s utilities to spend $220 million over the next three years upgrading the power grid to accommodate renewables, electricity storage, and more efficient ways of […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s up with the Globe and natural gas?
GIVEN THE LONG HISTORY of the Boston Globe’s editorial board advocacy for consumers and the environment, including its current strong criticism of regulation rollbacks by the Trump administration, it is […]
Posted inOpinion
Build offshore wind farms, transmission separately
LARGE QUANTITIES OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY are on the horizon in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, as state governments have recognized that offshore wind power is not only clean […]
Posted inOpinion
Governor, move more quickly on offshore wind
The following is a letter sent to Gov. Charlie Baker by the heads of 12 environmental groups. ON BEHALF OF THE UNDERSIGNED organizations and our hundreds of thousands of members […]
Posted inOpinion
Fears about blackouts increasing
THREE MONTHS AGO, the organization that runs our New England power grid sounded a shocking alarm: Our region faces a possibility of forced, rolling wintertime blackouts in coming years, largely […]
Posted inOpinion
We need a RGGI for transportation
AS WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY and the worldwide movement to protect our environment, it’s heartening that sustainability and an appreciation for clean air, water, and land have become mainstream values. […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. at climate, transportation crossroads
THERE IS A DEEPENING LEVEL of discomfort permeating business and government leaders in Massachusetts today. The economy is strong; unemployment is low; cranes dot the skyline over greater Boston, with […]
Posted inEnvironment
Globe pushes for new natural gas pipelines
The BOSTON GLOBE editorial page is going all in for new natural gas pipelines. In an editorial entitled “Why you’ll pay for Beacon Hill’s pipeline folly,” the Globe said it was […]
Posted inOpinion
Getting to grid modernization
IN MASSACHUSETTS and across much of the country, the push is on for “grid modernization.” The “grid” is at a critical point of transformation, being driven by trends towards de-carbonization, […]
Posted inEnvironment
Tax that dirty water
LISA MURPHY DOESN’T have any control over how much rain or snow falls on her property in Milton, but she is nevertheless being charged a special fee for stormwater runoff. […]
Posted inOpinion
Go bigger with offshore wind procurement
IN RECENT MONTHS, the Baker administration has taken several important steps toward a clean energy future for the Commonwealth, including bold initiatives to accelerate large-scale clean energy as enabled by […]
Posted inOpinion
What hospitals are doing for climate resiliency
THIS MARCH, BRUTAL NOR’EASTERS have battered the region weekly, knocking out power to thousands and causing destructive flooding along the coastline. ‘Bomb cyclone’ and ‘polar vortex’ have become popular terms […]
Posted inOpinion
Tweak needed for clean peak standard
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER recently submitted a significant bond bill to the Legislature calling for a $1.4 billion authorization for climate adaptation, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. While the dollar amounts grab […]
Posted inEnvironment
Grid operator raises alarm at Mystic shutdown
This story was updated at 7:25 p.m. to include clarifying material. THE OPERATOR OF THE REGIONAL POWER GRID said on Tuesday that it plans to take immediate steps to prevent […]
Posted inEnvironment
Delays likely in offshore wind procurement
THE STATE’S TOP ENERGY OFFICIAL said on Tuesday that the selection of a winner or winners of the offshore wind procurement will probably be delayed beyond April 23 because the […]
Posted inEnvironment, Politics
Baker treads softly on Healey proposal
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER adopted a cautious approach to Attorney General Maura Healey’s call for the elimination of a 50-company business sector that sells electricity to homeowners in Massachusetts. Healey last […]
Posted inEnvironment
Baker proposes home energy efficiency score
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Tuesday proposed the creation of an easy-to-understand home energy efficiency score that could provide guidance for owners seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their residences […]
Posted inTransportation
Walsh wants to hike parking fines
BOSTON MAYOR MARTY WALSH will unveil a $5 million plan to improve the city’s transportation system, ranging from repaving roads and sidewalks to creating dedicated bus lanes, and plans to […]