Healey can cast the utility companies as a critical partner when it’s advantageous for her to do so — or turn them into a political punching bag and convenient foil when it benefits her.
National Grid
Posted inEnergy
Mass. regulators approve new plan to shield solar customers from unexpected price spikes
The move, adopted with buy-in from the energy industry, advocates, and state officials, could save thousands of electric customers looking to install solar panels across the state from being saddled with last-minute, seemingly random charges that could stretch past $10,000 per project.Â
Posted inEnergy
Ten communities in Massachusetts went ‘fossil fuel free.’ Then utilities spent $100M on natural gas infrastructure there.
As these municipalities are quickly finding out, moving off gas for new buildings doesn’t preclude the utilities from needing to spend tens of millions of dollars each year upgrading the existing gas system.
Posted inEnergy
State regulators are weighing how much to crack down on leaky gas pipes
DEP’s program review is one slice of the central debate animating the dynamic between regulators and the gas companies: whether and how fast the utilities should shift away from delivering gas to customers — their current business model.
Posted inEnergy
Enbridge proposes new gas pipeline expansion in New England, placing Mass. in the crosshairs
Enbridge’s announcement is bound to ignite a firestorm and set off a host of thorny questions, while Gov. Maura Healey’s position on natural gas will again be put to the test as the proposal lands amid her reelection campaign.
Posted inEnergy
AG Campbell: Mass. gas companies need to overhaul their climate plans — or face penalties
The central tension: Getting Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Berkshire Gas, and Liberty to move away from how they currently make money — providing gas to customers.
Posted inEnvironment
Ratepayer revolt: Has the affordability debate soured Mass. on climate commitments?
Fighting climate change was once a badge of honor in Massachusetts, embraced by virtually all Democrats and even a lot of Republicans. But as households grapple with soaring energy bills, elected officials have become much more squeamish about the topic.
Posted inState Government
Mariano weighs in on energy bill savings, audit preferences
“Mariano described the House energy bill as an attempt to strip away some of the public policy charges that have accumulated on electric and gas bills over the last two decades as Massachusetts sought to incentivize a transition away from fossil fuels.”
Posted inEnergy
New report: Gas utilities spent record amount replacing leaky pipes in 2024
The latest data on utilities’ work to replace leaky pipes paints an even more damning picture of GSEP as costs balloon with few additional results — driving up ratepayer bills — and places recent reform efforts into greater context.Â
Posted inEnergy
Energy industry pads key lawmaker’s campaign coffers as major bill advancesÂ
Cusack’s legislation would lower the amount of renewable energy the utilities would be required to purchase and cut the state’s energy efficiency initiative, which is funded through the utilities’ ratepayers, by $500 million.
Posted inEnvironment
R.I. offshore wind price bit higher than Mass.
WHEN MASSACHUSETTS AND Rhode Island began exploring the construction of wind farms off the coast, there was a lot of debate about whether to start big or start small. Those […]
Posted inThe Download
R.I. offshore wind price bit higher than Mass.
When Massachusetts and Rhode Island began exploring the construction of wind farms off the coast, there was a lot of debate about whether to start big or start small. Those […]
Posted inThe Back Story
Grid hearing had one-sided feel Â
Legislative hearings are supposed to be fact-finding missions – a bill comes before a committee, proponents and opponents testify, and lawmakers ask questions to understand the implications of the proposed legislation.  But hearings can also serve as […]
Posted inUncategorized
Nat’l Grid says lockout all about its customers
The Massachusetts president of National Grid defends the nearly four-month lockout of 1,250 workers by saying the company is doing what it needs to do to bring its costs in […]
Posted inThe Download
The Codcast: Natl. Grid says lockout all about its customers
The Massachusetts president of National Grid defends the nearly four-month lockout of 1,250 workers by saying the company is doing what it needs to do to bring its costs in […]
Posted inEconomy, Politics, State House News Service
Lawmakers revive bill to pressure National Grid
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE HOUSE APPEARS ready to begin ratcheting up the pressure on National Grid to end its lockout of more 1,250 union gas workers, reviving a three-month-old […]
Posted inThe Download
Gas pains
As the National Grid lockout of 1,200 gas workers nears two months, there is growing pressure on the company by local officials to end the impasse. But there doesn’t seem to […]
Posted inOpinion
Gas lockout endangers everyone
LAST FALL, NATIONAL GRID employee Scott Ambler helped prevent what could have been a potentially devastating gas explosion in Weymouth. Ambler was not assigned to the job; instead he was […]
Posted inUncategorized
Busted unions
Labor unions may be taking a beating these days but they’re not going down without a fight and somebody is going to emerge bloodied. The latest battlefield is right here […]
Posted inThe Download
Busted unions
Labor unions may be taking a beating these days but they’re not going down without a fight and somebody is going to emerge bloodied. The latest battlefield is right here […]
