Natural Gas Prices Fall Below $2

Line graph showing the fluctuations in natural-gas prices from july 2015 to january 2020, with a peak around october 2018.

During the winter season, gas prices typically skyrocket as people begin making use of heating, yet this has not been the case recently. Weather phenomena this winter have proven to be very mild when compared to prior years, leading to a surplus of natural gas supply, and a falling of prices. This past Tuesday, natural….

Massachusetts Municipalities Seek to Ban New Natural Gas Connections

Blue flames emitting from a metal gas stove burner against a dark background.

Last month, Brookline approved legislation banning natural gas hookups for new buildings, giving the idea for other cities to consider this. Recently, the towns of Cambridge, Newton, Lexington, Arlington, and 12 others have held meetings to discuss implementation of the same. Proponents for the initiative argue that a shift in technology is needed at the….

MA to Reach 1.6 GW Offshore Wind Capacity Requirement

Map showing offshore wind lease areas near nantucket, highlighted in different colors, with location markers and labels like "mayflower wind.

Last week, the Baker administration and three utilities unanimously selected Mayflower Wind to provide 804 MW of clean offshore wind capacity to Massachusetts, which is enough capacity to power approximately half a million homes. With this selection, the state is poised to reach the 1.6 GW of offshore wind capacity required by a 2016 state….

Federal Solar Tax Credit to Reduce in 2020

Graph showing the step-down of solar tax credits from 30% in 2019 to a permanent 10% in 2022.

The federal solar tax credit, formally known as the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is set to reduce in 2020. Given that it is mid-to-late October, this means you only have two months or so to take advantage of the credit before it reduces. Until 2020, the credit is equal to 30% of the qualified….

California and New England behind on 2050 emission reduction goals

Industrial landscape at sunset, with silhouettes of multiple smokestacks emitting thick smoke against a vibrant orange sky.

Even though California and New England are two parts of the United States most committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, they are behind on their 2050 goals, according to several recent reports. For example, California aims to reduce emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. A report from Next 10 released on October….

ISO-NE: New England Energy Constrained

Silhouettes of multiple electricity pylons with interconnected wires against an orange sunset sky.

According to ISO-New England’s 10-year assessment of the region, New England’s electric grid is energy constrained. In its draft 2019 Regional Assessment Plan, ISO, which operates New England’s power grid, detailed the constraints facing the region: while the region is becoming cleaner and more efficient—and it has seen coal, nuclear, and oil generation retire—it still….

Quebec-to-MA Hydropower Project Gains Steam

Sun shining above snow-covered power lines and electricity pylons in a wintry landscape.

Last February, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) denied an essential state permit for Northern Pass Transmission, an Eversource project that would bring hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts. At the time, the denial appeared to call the project into question. But the conversation has shifted from New Hampshire to western Maine and the $950….

ISO-NE Forward Capacity Auction shows surplus capacity for 2022 – 2023

Graph showing isone capacity rates with multi-colored bars representing different regions and a line graph for system surplus/deficit over various dates.

The recent ISO – New England forward capacity auction conducted on February 4th corresponding for the period of 2022 – 2023 resulted in a clearing price of $3.80/kW/month, an 18% price reduction from last year’s auction of $4.63/kW/month for 2021 – 2022. This comes as very positive news, quelling the unsettling predictions on shortage of….

MA Bill to End Competitive Residential Electric Supply

A glowing light bulb illuminates against a dark background.

On Tuesday, January 22, a bill was filed in Massachusetts to end competitive residential electric supply starting in 2020. Currently, residential (in addition to commercial and industrial) customers can get their electric supply competitively, from third-party competitive suppliers, rather than the utility. But bill HD 1204/SD 880, An Act Relative to Protecting Residential Electric Customers,….

National Grid Files New Basic Electric Rates

This week, National Grid filed proposed basic service electric rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for Large Commercial and Industrial customers in Massachusetts. These proposed rates (subject to DPU approval) would be effective starting February 2019 and are shown below in $ per kWh: SEMA: February 2019 – 19.249 March 2019- 16.031        ….