Massachusetts
-
Fossil fuels
Massachusetts scrutinizes pipeline-safety program as gas bills spike
The program aims to fix leaky pipes, but critics say utilities use it to boost profits and overbuild fossil-fuel infrastructure not needed as the state decarbonizes.By Sarah Shemkus .
-
Virtual power plants
Massachusetts tries a market for distributed energy to tame grid costs
National Grid’s new marketplace seeks batteries, EV chargers, and other distributed energy resources to help relieve stressed grid circuits. Here’s how it works.By Jeff St. John .
-
Politics
Affordability is scrambling energy politics in Massachusetts
Everyone agrees that the state has an energy bill crisis. But there is little consensus on why — or how to fix the increasingly acute problem.By Sarah Shemkus .
-
Transmission
Finally, New England’s clean-energy transmission line is ready to go
A controversial project that will bring 1.2 GW of Canadian hydropower into the region is slated to come online this week after nearly a decade of work.By Sarah Shemkus .
-
Fossil fuels
The legal battle bogging down Massachusetts’ plan to ditch gas
In 2023, state regulators released a landmark order paving the way for a clean energy transition. Utilities aren’t quite ready to embrace the change.By Sarah Shemkus .
-
Utilities
First utility-owned geothermal network to double in size with DOE funds
The $8.6 million grant for Eversource’s pioneering project in Framingham, Massachusetts, is a rare win for renewable energy under the Trump administration.By Phil McKenna .
-
Policy & regulation
Massachusetts bill would undo climate goals and cut efficiency spending
The Democratic lawmaker behind the proposal says it will make energy more affordable, but opponents say it would harm the environment and consumers.By Sarah Shemkus .
-
Carbon-free buildings
Massachusetts considers expanding effort to ban gas in new buildings
Lawmakers are weighing a bill that would allow 10 more cities and towns to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in new construction through an existing pilot program.By Sarah Shemkus .
-
Clean industry
Boston’s century-old steam heat system is getting a low-carbon makeover
Boston and Cambridge’s decades-old district energy system is being retooled to shift away from gas and toward heat pumps and electric boilers.By Jeff St. John .
-
Heat pumps
Massachusetts heat-pump owners are about to get cheaper electricity
The state’s innovative winter heat-pump rates go into effect this weekend and should make the tech more accessible. Deeper discounts could come next year.By Sarah Shemkus .
Sponsored