We know how much carbon we emit, with reasonable accuracy. We know how much carbon we need to stop emitting. We know much about the carbon-free resources we need to procure. Now we just need to know the cost to the Commonwealth.
Charlie Harak
Posted inOpinion
Meeting climate goals requires new policy, funding
There are statutory, policy, and funding changes we must adopt if we are to meet our climate goals.
Posted inOpinion
Wait, we’re number 2?
LIKE THE FAMOUS Avis commercial says: when you’re number two, you gotta try harder! When it comes to energy efficiency policy, that is the unfamiliar position Massachusetts now finds itself in. For years –– nine years to be precise –– the Commonwealth led or tied as the most energy efficient state in the nation, according […]
Posted inOpinion
Best climate change policy you’ve never heard of
FIFTY-SIX GAMES, eight consecutive NBA titles, 297 straight NFL starts. The sports world is full of well-known streaks. A less famous streak is held by our own Commonwealth of Massachusetts which, for the past nine years in a row, has earned the title as the most energy efficient state in the nation. It’s no small […]
Posted inOpinion
DPU failing to protect Mass. consumers
MASSACHUSETTS UTILITY CUSTOMERS who switched to competitive electricity suppliers paid $177 million more over a two-year period than if they had stayed with the local utility company (National Grid, Eversource, or Unitil) as detailed in a thoroughly documented March 2018 report by Attorney General (AG) Maura Healey. An April 2018 report from the National Consumer […]
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 to thousands of residential and business customers for investments in boiler upgrades, motor replacements and lighting changes. But there is more to be done, particularly […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Let’s boost solar with smaller subsidies
LEGISLATORS ARE HAVING A HEATED DEBATE over the subsidies that flow to those who install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. That debate has been largely portrayed as dividing environmentalists and solar companies versus utilities and some business leaders. Solar advocates seek an immediate lifting of the “net metering caps” that limit the number of PV systems […]