Boston Passes Groundbreaking Net Zero Carbon Zoning Policy

Mayor Michelle Wu has announced the approval of an amendment to Boston’s zoning code to incorporate Net Zero Carbon (NZC) Zoning. This pioneering policy mandates that most new large buildings permitted after July 1, 2025, must achieve net zero carbon emissions upon opening. ​ Buildings account for nearly 71% of Boston’s carbon emissions. The NZC….

Real time electricity prices double in New England

Experts anticipate that President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico will lead to increased costs for New England residents, particularly affecting gasoline, food, and other essential items. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has warned that these tariffs could cause energy prices in the state to “skyrocket” if implemented as planned…..

Massachusetts DPU Orders 5% Gas Bill Reduction to Ease Winter Costs

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has ordered natural gas distribution companies to reduce residential and low-income customer bills by at least 5% for March and April 2025 due to high winter costs. These reductions must be proposed by February 24 and take effect March 1. The DPU did not specify whether cuts should….

Proposed tariffs on imports from neighboring countries could increase electricity prices

Proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports could lead to higher electricity prices in the U.S. A 25% tariff on Canadian electricity could add $290 million annually to New York’s energy costs and $100 million to Massachusetts. These increases may also raise prices for goods that rely on energy for production and transportation. Diversifying energy….

Trump freezes funding for IRA

On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing the disbursement of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This action is part of a broader initiative titled “Terminating the Green New Deal,” aiming to reassess and potentially….

Edison international Shares Fall After L.A Fires Investigation

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Shares of Edison International dropped after an investigation raised concerns over whether equipment from Southern California Edison contributed to the Hurst and Eaton fires in Los Angeles. The company’s stock fell 14% to $55.66 Monday, marking its biggest drop since March 16, 2020. For the month, shares are down 31%. Last week, SoCal began shutting….

2024 marked a new high for the solar grid’s contributions to New England

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In 2024, solar energy significantly enhanced New England’s electricity grid, with solar power contributing to the region’s energy mix at unprecedented levels. This surge was particularly notable during peak demand periods, such as hot summer days, when solar generation effectively reduced the strain on the grid. The increase in solar capacity is largely attributed to….

Biden bans offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters; Trump promises to undo ban when he takes office

Offshore oil rig at sunset.

In early January 2025, President Joe Biden issued a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of U.S. federal waters. This action affects the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea. Biden utilized the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act….