One of the many arcane dimensions of the energy world is the requirements of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS). In a nutshell, the RPS requires electricity suppliers to utilize a certain percentage of renewable energy in their sales. Suppliers meet that requirement by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), which are generated from qualifying […]
Much has been made on both sides of the green energy debate about Attorney General Martha Coakley’s testimony at a recent legislative hearing on the Green Communities Act. Her testimony was the most objective and comprehensive examination of the energy policies and activities in the state among all of the speakers of the day. She […]
Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing yesterday on the effectiveness of the Green Communities Act (GCA). I was among those who testified, including Attorney General Coakley, officials from DOER, the Patrick Administration, utilities, business groups and others. From my perspective, there are many things that have worked well in the […]
Much has been argued in the proceeding before the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) about the appropriate standard of review for the merger of Northeast Utilities (NU) and NSTAR. Initially, the companies filed their case under the long standing precedent of “no net harm” to ratepayers. Later the Department of Energy Resources advocated for a […]
The proposed merger between NStar and Northeast Utilities will have a significant impact on the region’s energy marketplace. Whether it will be good for consumers – particularly the 500 nonprofit members of PowerOptions which form a backbone of the Massachusetts economy, depends largely on the conditions now being negotiated. For months, interested parties have been […]
Lots of attention has been paid to the financial subsidies the state and federal government have provided for the development of renewable energy (see last week’s blog). What the general public is much less aware of are the subsidies that come directly from ratepayers through their electric rates. These subsidies are part of a patchwork […]
