One of the biggest criticisms of renewable energy is that it is not “dispatchable.” “Dispatchable” electricity generators are the most useful ones to operators of the electricity grid, because grid operators can turn them on and off as needed, and more accurately control their output of electricity to keep the overall grid safe and reliable.…
Jan 19
2017
2017
Jan 4
2017
2017
CLF Calls Electric Vehicles Bill a Positive Step Forward in Reducing Polluting Emissions
“Massachusetts consumers want electric cars, but convenient access to charging stations is a barrier to getting more electric vehicles on the road. This bill helps communities promote the charging infrastructure necessary to support increased electric car sales in the state,” said Megan Herzog, Staff Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation.
Dec 28
2016
2016
Community Voices: The Clean Energy Landscape
On one of those perfect, blue-sky-and-sunshine summer days that New Englanders dream of all winter long, Peter Baute emerges from a shaded trail into a small clearing overlooking Block Island Sound. At least half a dozen people mill about the clearing, cameras in hand, jockeying for the best angle of the scene before them. They’re…
Dec 13
2016
2016
Federal Appeals Court Gives Go Ahead to Connecticut’s Renewable Energy Programs
In a case challenging Connecticut’s authority to implement two key renewable energy programs, a federal appeals court issued a ruling yesterday, allowing the programs to proceed. The Court’s ruling, coming just a day after it heard oral arguments in the case, reinforces the viability and legitimacy of Connecticut’s renewable energy programs and similar programs being…
Dec 8
2016
2016
Going Low-Carb
Transforming New England’s Energy System New England’s coal-fired power plants were at their peak when CLF opened its doors 50 years ago. The majority of the region’s coal fleet came online in the post-war boom years of the1950s and 1960s and they would go on to dominate our region’s electricity mix for decades. Today, however,…
Dec 8
2016
2016
New Hampshire Governor-elect Sununu’s Opportunity: Champion Clean Energy, Not Fossil Fuels
This year, the need to aggressively tackle the problem of climate change couldn’t have been clearer. From 2016 likely surpassing 2015 as the hottest year on record globally, to historic drought conditions here in New Hampshire, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the health of our environment, our communities, and our economy. At a time…
Dec 7
2016
2016
A Message to Governor-Elect Scott: Clean Water and a Resilient Climate for All Vermonters
While much attention has been focused on the impending leadership change in Washington, two New England states – Vermont and New Hampshire – will inaugurate new governors in January. Here in Vermont, we are looking forward to working with Governor-elect Scott, as we have with Vermont’s governors – both Republican and Democrat – throughout our 50-year history.…
Dec 2
2016
2016
Maine Rejects Big Gas’s Gamble – For Now
Last week, the Maine Public Utilities Commission closed the latest chapter (for now) in the ongoing saga that is the demise of Spectra’s Access Northeast Project when it decided to indefinitely postpone its proceedings on the ill-conceived natural gas pipeline proposal. Previously, the Commission decided to move forward with a contract for natural gas capacity…
Nov 3
2016
2016
Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Massachusetts’ Path Forward
In a recent Executive Order, Governor Baker broke his silence on this summer’s landmark decision by Massachusetts’ highest court on the Global Warming Solutions Act. The Court’s decision in Kain v. Dept. of Environmental Protection unanimously confirmed that Baker’s administration must act decisively to ensure the Commonwealth meets the Global Warming Solutions Act’s 2020 cap…
Oct 25
2016
2016
Your Voice Needed to Support Rooftop Solar in New Hampshire
The Public Utilities Commission currently holds the future of rooftop solar in New Hampshire in its hands. Entrenched interests in New Hampshire are fighting the burgeoning growth of rooftop solar in the state. But CLF knows that rooftop solar powers homes and supports the electric grid. Even more importantly, it empowers the fight against climate…