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...
Diverse Coalition Partnering for Offshore Wind in New England
Last week I attended an open hearing about a new offshore wind development area off the coast of Nantucket Sound sponsored by the Board of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), a new agency within the US Department of the Interior that oversees energy exploration and development in federal waters. The proposed Wind Energy Area, which sits...
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 a customer of Cape Wind...
On-Bill Repayment (OBR) for Energy Efficiency Upgrades – Will California Lead the Way?
(Originally appeared on Groom Energy’s EnterpriseSmartGrid.org) I spent last Wednesday at the California PUC in San Francisco participating in a workshop debating the merits of California’s newly proposed policy for utility on-bill repayment (OBR). (Although being at the workshop necessitated my taking the Boston redeye that night (ugh) my spirits were lifted as I waited at SFO...
One Small Step Forward For Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Development
(This post was originally published on February 3rd on Foley Hoag’s Law and the Environment blog.) Yesterday, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a notice of availability for the Environmental Assessment it prepared in connection with the issuance of leases for wind energy development off the coast of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The EA includes...
We’re all Customers of Green Electricity
The Boston Globe ran a story on January 31st on Nstar’s Green program, describing its price surcharge, volatility and modest uptake. As a program which offers a a 50% or 100% renewable option for those few customers who are highly-dedicated early-adopters, the program was never intended as a major sales channel for renewables. However, the...
AEE & ACORE Collaboration and Forums
Yesterday, NECEC’s national network partner, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) announced a new collaboration with the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) to understand the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) with respect to advanced energy technologies that reduce costs and risks associated with reliance on fossil fuels. DOD identified challenges and renewable energy...
What I Learned About Selling Clean Energy Products & Services to the Department of Defense
On October 19th Congresswoman Niki Tsongas hosted an event in partnership with the New England Clean Energy Council on Department of Defense (DoD) procurement opportunities for clean energy companies. Here's what I learned...
New England Leads in Energy Efficiency
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has its latest state ranking out, and New England looks quite good. Massachusetts takes the #1 spot, with Rhode Island and Vermont tied for #5. Connecticut ties for #8, Maine for #12, and New Hampshire is #21.
Where Does Our Electricity Go?
Even if we know where our electricity comes from (which often we don’t), we may not always know where it goes.