THE OPERATOR of the New England power grid and six of the region’s major utilities are calling on state and federal policymakers to develop an “energy reserve” that can be tapped when energy supply chains are disrupted. In a call to action memo in advance of a September 8 conference sponsored by the Federal Energy […]
Plugging In
Posted inEnergy, Opinion
Federal aid shows hydrogen is here to stay
IN A RESIDENTIAL neighborhood on suburban Long Island, a clean energy technology that is both old and new could be the answer to eliminating carbon emissions from the entire economy across the country. In Hempstead, a project called HyGrid will blend green hydrogen with renewable natural gas to safely and reliably heat homes, while slashing […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. needs to be as bold on drought as it is on climate
WE CAN’T have climate action without drought action. Massachusetts is appropriately regarded as a leader when it comes to climate change and environmental policy. Just this month the Legislature passed, and the governor signed, a historic bill that will keep the Commonwealth at the forefront of reducing carbon emissions, deploying renewable energy, and lowering our dependence […]
Posted inEducation, Energy, Environment, Opinion
Schools are missing from the state’s climate plan
ON THURSDAY, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a landmark climate bill which affirms, for the first time, that schools are part of the state’s leadership on climate. What’s missing is a plan that will turn that affirmation into action. The Green and Healthy Schools provision in the climate bill, originally filed by Sen. […]
Posted inOpinion
Now is the time to triple down on renewables
RECENTLY, BOTH branches of the Massachusetts Legislature approved a new compromise climate bill. This legislation, which now sits on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk for review, represents significant progress as the Commonwealth seeks to meet its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Equally encouraging was the Biden administration’s announcement at the shuttered Brayton Point […]
Posted inOpinion
Climate bill needed for environmental, equity reasons
THE CLEAN ENERGY legislation on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk opens the door for marginalized communities across the Commonwealth to share in the many benefits of the fight against climate change. The governor should sign this bill, which builds on the foundation of environmental justice already underway in the Commonwealth, to further codify equity and inclusion in […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Uncertain times for Daloisio, Clean Energy Center
JENNIFER DALOISIO and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center are both facing a bit of uncertainty. The agency, a key cog in the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is about to emerge from the bureaucratic shadows as the state prepares to dive into clean energy in a big way. But how the agency will emerge […]
Posted inOpinion
Pass ebike legislation, reward car-lite living
THE STATE Legislature and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation need to keep their eye on the real transportation goal for the state – maintaining and increasing the number of people and households that are living car-independent lives – as we sort through the T’s long-predicted crisis, The state’s economy, the people’s daily welfare, and the […]
Posted inOpinion
National Grid has a vision for fossil-free heat
FOR THOSE INCLINED to reference Greek mythology when discussing Massachusetts energy policy, the attributes of Greek architecture may provide a better blueprint. Striving towards precision and excellence, the architects of ancient Greece practiced a methodical, systematic style that appropriately balanced aspiration with sound architectural order for enduring results. At National Grid, we have embraced a […]
Posted inEnergy, State Government
Here’s what’s in the Legislature’s energy/climate change legislation
THE LEGISLATURE suspended its rules and whisked through a climate change bill on Thursday that seeks to make Massachusetts the “Saudi Arabia of wind,” promotes the adoption of zero emission vehicles, and allows 10 communities to bar fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction. The precise contents of the bill were not available and the funding […]