Clean Energy Bill Clears the Way for More Offshore Wind Power
After passing historic legislation in 2016 that had the Commonwealth leading the nation with a 1,600 megawatt (MW) commitment, states along the coast have followed suit, setting higher goals and plotting out procurement plans. Massachusetts continues to blaze the trail, with an 800 MW project now in the queue (twice the size of the next largest project contract in any other state), and the bill Governor Baker signed yesterday indicates that the Commonwealth has no intention of slowing down.
Read MoreHow Did We Do?: ELM Legislative Wrap Up
The Environmental League of Massachusetts started the two-year legislative cycle on January 1, 2017 with an ambitious policy agenda that would promote clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural resources throughout the Commonwealth. We ended the session with some notable successes and much work still to do. Here’s a summary of how our top legislative priorities fared this session.
Read MoreOffshore Wind Solidifies Its Role as a Major Player in the Clean Energy Future
Since the passing of legislation back in 2016 that authorized the state’s utilities to procure up to 1,600 MW of offshore wind power, the big question has been what will this do to our electric rates? We recently learned the answer: electric rates will go down. According to a filing made by the Department of Energy Resources, the first 800 MW offshore wind project will result in a 0.1% to 1.5% reduction in our monthly electric bills.
Read MoreLegislature Misses Opportunity to Take Bold Action on Climate Change
Yesterday, leaders from the House and Senate released a bill that will modestly move the Commonwealth along a path to achieve our greenhouse gas reduction requirements. This bill (H4857) contained some laudable elements, but provides little in the way of bold policy innovation and leadership expected from the Bay State.
Read MoreHistoric Step Forward for Offshore Wind Power in New England
Two offshore wind energy projects have been selected by the region’s utilities to provide power to Massachusetts (Vineyard Wind – 800 megawatts) and Rhode Island (Deepwater Wind – 400 megawatts), jumpstarting the nation’s offshore wind industry.
Read MoreGubernatorial Forum on Energy and the Environment
On Monday, April 23, ELM and 12 co-sponsoring organizations hosted a Gubernatorial Forum on Energy and the Environment. View the full video of the forum.
Read MoreOffshore Wind is Coming!
Three experienced companies just submitted proposals to fulfill the state’s groundbreaking requirement that utilities include offshore wind power as part of their energy mix. Now that the proposals are in, they need to be reviewed quickly so the process can continue moving forward.
Read MoreJoin us for Parks and Water Lobby Day
Join your friends and fellow park and water advocates from around Massachusetts for an exciting Lobby Day at the State House this fall! Meet with legislative offices for your Representative and Senator to urge them to support increased funding for our state agencies charged with stewarding these precious resources.
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