The 5 million ton elephant in Massachusetts’s nation-leading climate action plan – the oversold and overstated greenhouse gas emissions reductions from new imports of Canadian hydropower comprising more than 20% of the state’s goal – is too big to ignore. That’s why it’s encouraging that the plan’s misplaced reliance on the Northern Pass transmission project…
May 4
2012
2012
May 1
2012
2012
Patrick Administration Proposes Nation-Leading Biomass Regulations
Last week, the Patrick Administration released new proposed final rules and guidance on the state’s incentives for biomass energy. It is a big win for our forests, for the role of science in policy making, for efficiency, and for environmental advocates across Massachusetts. I’m proud of the Patrick administration for their tireless work on this…
Feb 3
2012
2012
Massachusetts and Federal Government Team Up to Tap Abundant Offshore Wind Energy Resource
Earlier today my colleague Sue Reid, VP & Director of CLF Massachusetts, joined state and federal officials to announce the latest milestone for obtaining plentiful and clean renewable wind energy from the Outer Continental Shelf offshore of Massachusetts. Specifically, they initiated the process for developers to begin leasing and site assessment, and for data gathering and public input, to facilitate off shore wind deployment in an area approximately 12 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and 13 nautical miles southwest of Nantucket. The “Call Area” as it is termed, was identified following consultation with ocean users, such as fishermen and other stakeholders, through an intergovernmental renewable energy task force led by Massachusetts officials.
Dec 1
2011
2011
Northern Pass: The 5 million ton elephant in Massachusetts’s climate plan
The Northern Pass transmission project is being pitched by its developers as a clean energy proposal for New Hampshire. As I’ve pointed out before, Northern Pass is a regional proposal with dubious benefits in the Granite State. Unfortunately, the developers’ hollow promises have found an audience further south, in Massachusetts. From the public discussion as…
Aug 6
2011
2011
Do the math, Senator Brown
Yesterday, Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown sent a letter to Governor Patrick criticizing the Governor’s mention of a potential state gas tax increase as one of the ways to provide additional revenue for the state’s dangerously underfunded transportation system.
Aug 5
2011
2011
Patrick Administration wants to throw in the towel on Red Line/Blue Line Connector
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (“MBTA”) spider-map has been praised and replicated in countries around the world, but it only takes one short look at the transit map to realize one obvious missing link: the Red Line and the Blue Line are the only two of Boston’s rapid transit lines that do not intersect.
May 3
2011
2011
CLF applauds new biomass regulations for MA
CLF praised the Patrick Administration today for announcing its new regulations on biomass energy for the state of Massachusetts.