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 13
2016
2016
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…
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…
Sep 27
2016
2016
Clean Power Plan Gets Its Day in Court
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is hearing oral arguments in a monumental climate change case. At issue is the Clean Power Plan, the most ambitious action ever taken by the federal government to control carbon emissions and tackle global climate change. The Clean Power Plan outlines the first-ever…
Sep 8
2016
2016
Lessons on Offshore Wind from Copenhagen
Do you remember the energy crisis of the 1970s? Countries like the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe – all overly-reliant on foreign oil – faced oil shortages and spiking prices. Perhaps you’ve seen images of cars lining up to purchase gasoline, or heard stories of gasoline rationing. If your license plate ended in an odd…
Sep 1
2016
2016
Don’t Believe the Hype: Solar Power Benefits All Mainers
Mainers like solar power, they want more of it, and they don’t want to change how solar panel owners are paid for it. That’s the take-home message of comments Maine residents submitted to the state’s Public Utilities Commission in its current proceeding to review how solar power customers are reimbursed for the power they produce.…
Aug 17
2016
2016
Massachusetts’ Highest Court Rejects Public Subsidies for Fossil Fuels
“This is an incredibly important and timely decision,” said David Ismay, CLF’s lead attorney on the case. “Today our highest court affirmed Massachusetts’ commitment to an open energy future by rejecting the Baker Administration’s attempt to subsidize the dying fossil fuel industry. The course of our economy and our energy markets runs counter to the will of multi-billion dollar pipeline companies, and, thanks to today’s decision, the government will no longer be able to unfairly and unlawfully tip the scales.”