The Maine Public Utilities Commission has done it again, acting against the best interest of Maine’s citizens and businesses by proposing a new rule that will limit the growth of solar energy in Maine. Maine already lags well behind the rest of New England and the country on solar development and this new rule will…
Sep 16
2016
2016
Sep 7
2016
2016
Regulators hear the latest battle over Vt. Gas pipeline
Inside the auditorium, the crowd heard arguments on a 2-year-old petition by the Conservation Law Foundation. It argues the Certificate of Public Good allowing the Vermont Gas Pipeline needs to be changed because of changes since the project was first approved, like shifts in the energy market and project overruns that have nearly doubled the…
Jul 19
2016
2016
Maine Approves Scheme Allowing Big Gas to Gamble Public’s Money
“Today, the fossil fuel industry hoodwinked the PUC into gambling one billion dollars of Mainers’ hard-earned money on a massive new gas pipeline,” said CLF attorney Ben Tettlebaum. “From Day One, this LePage-appointed commission has been desperate to find any way to justify overwhelming concessions for Big Gas, no matter the cost. From helping kill the solar bill, to reopening wind contracts, to squashing energy efficiency programs and more, these commissioners have exhibited a troubling pattern of failed leadership, regressive policies and unlawful behavior, and today’s decision is no exception.”
Jul 7
2016
2016
Video: Historic Decision Could Mean the End of Coal in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission recently reached an historic settlement that requires Eversource to sell all of its power plants in the state. This will force its old and inefficient coal-fired plants – including Merrimack Station in Bow – to compete on an open market against more economically and environmentally friendly sources of energy, like solar and wind. CLF…
Jul 4
2016
2016
Eversource Deal Signals End To Coal Power In NH
… Merrimack Station and Schiller Station have long been the target of environmental groups, including the Conservation Law Foundation, which has consistently listed the plants among the so-called “Dirty Dozen” of New England polluters. “Merrimack Station and Schiller Station power plants earn the award for the millions of pounds of toxic air pollution and greenhouse…
Jul 1
2016
2016
New Hampshire Deal Ends Public Subsidies for Coal-Fired Power Plants
“For too long, families and businesses in New Hampshire have been asked to prop up inefficient coal and oil plants despite market forces rapidly propelling us toward a clean energy future,” said Tom Irwin, Director of CLF’s New Hampshire Advocacy Center. “When the dirty fuels of yesterday are put into competition with the renewable alternatives of tomorrow, it’s a win-win for our economy and our environment. While there’s still a long way to go, today we took a big step down the path toward achieving a clean energy economy for New Hampshire.”
Jun 24
2016
2016
Senate Energy Bill Sets Right Course for Commonwealth’s Future
“Today’s bill answers the call of millions throughout Massachusetts demanding a viable path toward a clean energy future,” said CLF attorney Caitlin Peale Sloan. “Ensuring the health of our communities and environment tomorrow requires bold action on climate change today, and this bill is undoubtedly the strongest we’ve seen from this legislature. While it falls short of addressing rampant gas leaks in the system or public subsidies for fossil fuel pipelines, it brings us significantly closer to the energy solutions necessary to move our state and our region forward.”
Jun 23
2016
2016
Rhode Island General Assembly Ends 2016 Session By Passing Two Renewable Energy Bills
On Saturday morning, June 18, at 6:00 AM, the Rhode Island General Assembly wrapped up its 2016 session after an all-night session that many observers likened to college students cramming for exams. Two bills that CLF was closely involved with were passed by both chambers in those last few hours. It is virtually certain that…
Apr 28
2016
2016
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Will Not Harm Renewable Energy
On April 19, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Hughes v. PPL, No. 14-614. The case addressed the kinds of incentives that states are allowed (or not allowed) to provide for certain kinds of energy production. For this reason, some environmentalists were concerned that the decision could affect the legality of Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)…
Feb 2
2016
2016
Coal-Fired Power Plant Owner Shows No Commitment to Bridgeport or the Environment
A little over a year ago, the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, home of one of the last coal-fired power plants in New England, passed a resolution calling for the plant’s owner, PSEG, to shut down the 50-year old behemoth and rehabilitate the property for its next use. But PSEG decided instead to double-down in Bridgeport,…