RECENT BLOG POSTS

3 Massachusetts Officials are 2012 Clean Energy Champions

3 Massachusetts Officials are 2012 Clean Energy Champions

A standing-room only speaking program featuring Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, over 100 Massachusetts clean energy company attendees and a diverse company exhibition weren’t the only highlights of NECEC’s first-ever Massachusetts Clean Energy Day on Tuesday: We also announced our 2012 Clean Energy Champions! Senator Ben Downing, Representative John Keenan and...
Statement on NSTAR and Northeast Utilities Merger

Statement on NSTAR and Northeast Utilities Merger

  We applaud the conditional agreement reached between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Nstar to move forward on a clean energy economy that is great for customers, business and for jobs in the Commonwealth,” said Peter Rothstein, president of the New England Clean Energy Council.  “The agreement for Nstar to be...
Energy Leaders Breakfast Club

Energy Leaders Breakfast Club

Almost one year ago, we started the Energy Leaders Forum, a collaboration between the New England Clean Energy Council and Mass High Tech, to spur conversations on current issues in the clean energy sector.  Today, we are engaging in new dialogues by inviting some of the region’s thought leadership for...
A Look at Cleantech VC in New England

A Look at Cleantech VC in New England

Much is written about cleantech venture capital globally and nationally, but much less is out there about investments at the state and regional levels. Courtesy of The Cleantech Group, I've charted cleantech venture investments in New England from 2007 through Q3 2011.
Clean Energy is Driving Economic Growth in the Commonwealth

Clean Energy is Driving Economic Growth in the Commonwealth

NECEC President Peter Rothstein weighs in on energy costs and the Green Communities Act in Commonwealth Magazine.
The Green Jobs Debate

The Green Jobs Debate

A labor market researcher who has studied clean energy employment in depth reflects on the consistent misunderstandings about "green jobs."
We Need Sensible Wind Siting Reform

We Need Sensible Wind Siting Reform

As the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy considers changes to the state's wind permitting process, it should keep in mind how public policy sustains existing renewable energy jobs and promotes innovation. A sensible balance between local control and simplified permitting rules will allow the commonwealth to...
Latest entries

Walmart To Install Solar on 27 Massachusetts Stores by 2014

With the announcement that it will install solar panels to generate electricity at 27 stores in Massachusetts by 2014, Walmart will become the largest user of solar power in the state, generating more than 10 megawatts of power. Walmart’s move demonstrates how solar energy has grown and become a mainstream part of our energy system....

“Beyond Boom and Bust” Report Warns of 75% Decline in Federal Clean Energy Funding Since 2009 Level

With clean energy subsidies from President Obama’s 2009 stimulus bill ending, and other subsidies expiring, a new report from the Brookings Institution, the World Resources Institute and the Breakthrough Institute analyzes the clean energy industry, and findings show that the industry is facing a “funding cliff.” The New York Times ran an editorial on Sunday,...

First Cleantech Innovations New England Awards Winners Announced

Over the past several months student teams from around the country have been competing for a $200,000 grand prize at the MIT Clean Energy Prize.  Fifteen semi-finalists were selected in March.  Over the weekend those fifteen, split amongst three energy sub-categories, presented their final plans and category winners were selected.  Yesterday, the three category finalists were...
The Entrepreneur: A Masterpiece of Dexterity, Grace and Risk

The Entrepreneur: A Masterpiece of Dexterity, Grace and Risk

Bilal Zuberi led the 2012 University Research & Entrepreneurship Symposium (URES, pronounced by those in the know as U-Rez) breakout session titled “Resourceful Entrepreneurs.” An innocent title, it called up images of a boy scout with a good Swiss army knife and a set of dry matches, but what followed seemed more like instructions on...
NECEC Applauds Massachusetts Senate on Passage of Energy Legislation

NECEC Applauds Massachusetts Senate on Passage of Energy Legislation

Massachusetts took an important step last week to reinforce and advance its position at the forefront of clean energy policy in the US.  On Thursday, April 5, 2012, the Senate unanimously passed S2214, An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity in the Commonwealth.  Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Therese Murray, Senator Ben Downing,...

Upcoming Clean Energy Events in April

Springtime in New England means many things, including a variety of terrific and informative clean energy industry events! We’d like to highlight some of the great events that are taking place locally during the remainder of the month.   This Friday, our friends at Foley Hoag will host the latest edition of the Restructuring Roundtable,...

NECEC Co-Founder Now DOE Leader

Dr. David Danielson, New England Clean Energy Council Co-Founder and General Catalyst Alum, has been named Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE. Accelerating cleantech has spanned his career in various roles – beginning in 2009, Dave served as a Program Director at ARPA-E . His close ties to New England also include...

The Push for Clean Energy

Inspired in part by the continuing Solyndra debate and recent comments by the New York Times on the automotive industry’s stance on electric vehicles, a recent Boston Globe Editorial highlights the results of political uncertainty on federal funding on a national and local level.  NECEC’s President Peter Rothstein weighed in on the Globe piece, citing those costs. Continuing,...
Legislative Update - March 30, 2012

Legislative Update – March 30, 2012

Yesterday afternoon, the Massachusetts Senate began debate on Senate Bill 2200, An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity in the Commonwealth, and the 58 amendments that have been proposed.  This bill is the follow on to the MA Joint Telecommunications Utilities and Energy Committee’s bill we reported on last week. NECEC, as part of a...
The Complicated Energy Innovation Challenge

The Complicated Energy Innovation Challenge

The Energy industry  abounds with unique and often conflicting interests. Incumbent players have little incentive to change the status quo because of enormous capital investments in infrastructure, production capacity, and supply chains. Fortunately, scientists and entrepreneurs continue to face these challenges head on, charging ahead to lead a revolution that will be won in incremental...

Weekly Links 3-23-12

Member News Braemar Energy Ventures Leads Third Funding Round for Albeo Technologies Ameresco Announces Work on Energy Efficiency Project at Nevada’s Fourth Largest School District First Wind Completes $236 Million Financing of Kawailoa Wind Project, Hawaii’s Largest Wind Project A123 Systems to Develop Lithium Ion Battery Packs for New Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle From Geely...
Bill to Affect Clean Energy in MA

Bill to Affect Clean Energy in MA

On Tuesday, March 20, the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy favorably reported an energy bill that includes several provisions affecting the clean energy industry in Massachusetts.  This is a positive first step in the legislative process.  NECEC will be weighing in both to support elements of the bill that advance clean energy and...