Northeast

Electrification

This Massachusetts town banned gas — and housing boomed anyway

Critics say stringent, pro-electrification building codes and restrictions on natural gas will impede housing developers. A Boston suburb is proving them wrong.

By Sarah Shemkus . 6 August 2025
Carbon-free buildings

New York becomes first state to commit to all-electric new buildings

The state finalized rules ensuring most new edifices will install electric heat pumps and stoves instead of gas appliances, lowering costs and improving air quality.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 July 2025
Heat pumps

Massachusetts could give heat pump owners a huge discount on electricity

The state will lower electricity rates for heat pump owners this winter, and is considering even deeper cuts to encourage residents to ditch fossil-fueled heating.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 July 2025
Clean energy

Maine moves to fast-track clean energy before federal tax credits expire

The state is prioritizing projects built on PFAS-contaminated land as it looks to kickstart installations that can help it reach 100% clean energy by 2040.

By Sarah Shemkus . 24 July 2025
Solar

New Hampshire raids clean energy fund, jeopardizing solar program

The state’s new budget redirects $15M meant for clean energy, likely ending plans to expand a pilot that funds municipal solar projects.

By Sarah Shemkus . 23 July 2025
Policy & regulation

New York to scale back key energy-efficiency program

EmPower+ helps New Yorkers insulate their homes, get new boilers, and make other efficiency upgrades. The state could cut its funding by nearly two-thirds.

By Colin Kinniburgh . 22 July 2025
Electrification

Massachusetts test shows big savings from free heat pumps and solar

Low-income residents on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard who participated in a home electrification pilot saw their utility bills drop by more than half.

By Sarah Shemkus . 17 July 2025
Offshore wind

Tax credit cuts in Trump’s megabill imperil two fully approved wind farms

The “Big, Beautiful Bill” includes rollbacks of clean energy incentives that at least two offshore wind projects rely on to pencil out financially, analysts say.

By Clare Fieseler . 8 July 2025
Clean energy

A heat wave hit New England's grid. Clean energy saved the day.

On the hottest day this year, behind-the-meter solar panels and a growing network of batteries helped prevent blackouts and saved consumers millions of dollars.

By Sarah Shemkus . 8 July 2025
Wind

Is wind power finally coming to Maine’s remote north?

After more than a decade of fits and starts, developers are forming new plans for onshore wind and transmission lines to connect it to the New England grid.

By Sarah Shemkus . 7 July 2025