Northeast

Hydropower

Could hydropower hamper NYC’s building decarbonization law?

New York City building owners can soon buy renewable energy credits to comply with Local Law 97. Climate groups want Mayor Mamdani to limit this practice.

By Benjy Sachs, New York Focus .

7 July 2026

Concrete infrastructure with a yellow background — Part of the Champlain Hudson Power Express converter station. CHPE is expected to deliver 10.4 terawatt-hours of clean energy per year to the New York Metro area. (Leor Stylar/New York Focus; Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

Electrification

In this Brooklyn warehouse, stoves are turned into batteries

Startup Electra is outfitting induction stoves with slender batteries that enable the electric appliances to be plugged into a standard outlet — and help the grid.

By Maria Gallucci . 6 July 2026
Policy & regulation

Major energy-affordability bill passes Massachusetts Senate

Now the legislature must hammer out the differences between the Senate text and the House version, which includes major cuts to energy-efficiency funding.

By Sarah Shemkus . 2 July 2026
Solar

Martha’s Vineyard solar array will cut bills for low-income islanders

A new rooftop solar project offers the first test of a community-benefit model that nonprofit PowerOptions Connect hopes to roll out across the Northeast.

By Sarah Shemkus . 1 July 2026
Electrification

How an NYC high-rise is keeping cool with geothermal energy

New York City’s green building laws are pushing developers toward cleaner technologies — even as state policymakers backtrack on climate change targets.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 July 2026
Energy efficiency

Vermont is boosting new homes that can cut energy use in half

A nation-leading program that encourages superefficient manufactured homes is underway in Vermont, and will produce significant energy savings for residents.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 June 2026
Solar

Connecticut’s new solar law is better than nothing

The legislation authorizes plug-in solar and extends some renewable energy incentives — but uncertainty still clouds the solar industry in Connecticut.

By Sarah Shemkus . 30 June 2026
Energy efficiency

Massachusetts Senate preserves energy-efficiency funding in new bill

Earlier this year, the House proposed $1B in cuts to the state’s nation-leading efficiency program. The Senate rejected that idea in a sweeping new energy bill.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 June 2026
Batteries

Tesla offers discounted home batteries in New England VPP push

Households in Massachusetts and Connecticut can get cheap Powerwall leases — so long as they let Tesla monetize the batteries in virtual power plant programs.

By Jeff St. John . 18 June 2026
Solar

Will New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sign a balcony solar bill?

The legislature passed a measure to allow DIY plug-in solar panels, and clean energy boosters are hopeful that Hochul will sign it to promote affordability.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 June 2026
Transmission

Is New England’s new hydropower transmission line paying off?

The flow has been stop and go for the first few months, but the line shows plenty of potential to boost Massachusetts’ renewable energy supply.

By Sarah Shemkus . 16 June 2026