Tomorrow, the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities, and Energy will hear from the public on legislation that could change over one-third of the electric supply in Massachusetts. It is critical that an energy bill of this magnitude be tailored to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the clean energy economy of the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, none of the legislation currently on the table would accomplish this vital goal. For this reason, the Global Warming Solutions Project (GWSP) will present its plan at the hearing for a comprehensive energy policy that will create a more diverse and stable electricity supply, maximize potential clean energy benefits, and minimize risks to ratepayers and our environment.
Sep 28
2015
2015
Aug 25
2015
2015
Governor Baker’s Solar Bill Misses the Mark
Anticipating the release of his promised solar power legislation, we encouraged Governor Baker to be bold in strengthening and continuing the solar-friendly policies, including net metering, that have made Massachusetts a national leader in solar energy. Unfortunately, his proposed bill falls well short of that goal. At a time when our changing climate demands urgent action…
Jul 17
2015
2015
Experts Weigh In: Maine Doesn’t Need New Gas Pipelines
This week consultants hired by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) concluded that Maine should not enter into contracts to purchase gas pipeline capacity because the costs of doing so would outweigh the benefits to Mainers. In many ways, this was a foregone conclusion – one that CLF predicted nearly a year ago and that the PUC itself (unofficially) reached before soliciting proposals from pipeline companies and spending taxpayer dollars on a lengthy consultant’s report. It’s a cautionary tale not just for Maine but for all of New England as the region weighs its energy future – and decides whether it will overinvest in natural gas or blaze a trail based on cleaner, renewable resources.
Jun 24
2015
2015
CLF Applauds Maine Legislature for Overriding Governor’s Veto of Energy Efficiency Bill
“With their override vote, the legislature has served the best interest of all Mainers by restoring funding for energy efficiency,” said Sean Mahoney, Executive Vice President, Conservation Law Foundation. “With one stroke of his veto pen, Governor LePage wiped out $38 million in funding for energy efficiency in Maine, which would have cost Mainers nearly $200 million a year in lost savings and higher energy bills. Thankfully the legislature stood their ground. “
Jun 23
2015
2015
CLF Calls on Maine Legislators to Overturn Governor’s Veto of Energy Efficiency Bill
“Governor LePage is supposed to represent and serve the best interests of Maine residents, but instead he abuses his power and takes money out of people’s pockets,” said Sean Mahoney, Executive Vice President, Conservation Law Foundation. “With one stroke of his veto pen, Governor LePage has wiped out $38 million in funding for energy efficiency in Maine, which could cost Mainers nearly $200 million a year in lost savings and higher energy bills.”
Jun 23
2015
2015
UPDATE: Take Action: Restore Energy Efficiency Funding in Maine
With one stroke of his veto pen, Governor Paul LePage planned to wipe out more than $35 million in funding for energy efficiency in Maine, which would have cost Mainers $200 million a year in lost savings and higher energy bills. But Maine’s legislature stood strong, overriding the governor’s veto and restoring the state’s energy efficiency funding.
May 15
2015
2015
The Alternatives to New Natural Gas Pipelines
Now that we’ve made it through the winter, policymakers in Massachusetts are taking a look at the state of energy in the Commonwealth and trying to sort out what to do about the big energy policy questions currently on the table. First among these questions is what, if any, public policy support and funding should…
Apr 30
2015
2015
Vermont is Burning the Furniture
Vermont legislators are scrambling to plug the budget – and there are plans to raid funding for heating efficiency to do that. This is troubling on many levels. It raids monies from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to backfill another shortage. It also comes on top of the proposal to shortchange energy efficiency as part of otherwise…
Apr 23
2015
2015
Conservation Law Foundation Says Smart Regional Energy Plan Crucial For New England’s Future
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) attended the Northeast Forum on Regional Energy Solutions hosted by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy today ahead of the New England Governors Energy Conference and released the following statement.
Apr 8
2015
2015
A Single Word Could Restore Maine Energy Efficiency Funding
A recent decision by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) severely limits energy efficiency funding in the state. If the decision stands, Efficiency Maine Trust – the public entity that runs energy efficiency programs – would see its near-term budget cut from about $60 million to $22 million. This drastic cut in energy efficiency funding…