NECEC Congratulates Ernest Moniz on Confirmation as Energy Secretary
The New England Clean Energy Council offers its congratulations on the confirmation of Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy. Professor Moniz’s role leading the MIT Energy Initiative has been important to the growth of clean and renewable energy in New England. His leadership as undersecretary of energy and as associate director of the White House...
RGGI will let the region thrive
The following pice by Chris Meyer originally appeared on Seacoast Online on Monday, May 13th. Back in 2008, one year into the Great Recession, I started a brand-new business. Crazy? Just the opposite. My company, Yankee Thermal Imaging, makes money by helping New Englanders save money on energy. We test buildings with cutting-edge technology that...
MA Clean Energy Day A Success!
Today, The New England Clean Energy Council held its Second Annual Massachusetts Clean Energy Day at the State House in Boston. Numerous member companies representing a broad array of sectors joined NECEC for a day of meetings with legislators, and exhibited in the historic Grand Staircase. Awards were given to Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep....
NH Telegraph Oped: Republicans Should Embrace RGGI
The following oped in favor of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) ran in the Nashua Telegraph in New Hampshre on Sunday, May 5. Author Charlie Niebling is a consultant and former general manager for New England Wood Pellet, a privately held renewable-energy company with 80 employees, based in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Many sound reasons Republicans should embrace...
Gov. Patrick: MA Solar Target Reached 4 Years Early; New Goal Set
Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the solar goal set in 2007 of 250 megawatts of residential and commercial solar energy installed in the Commonwealth has been reached four years early, and set an ambitious new goal of 1,600 MW by 2020. Gov. Patrick was joined by Energy & Environmental Affair Secretary Rick Sullivan and...
Lowering Energy Costs In Maine – In Support of LD 1426
NECEC submitted testimony in Maine yesterday in support of LD 1426, An Act to Improve Maine’s Economy and Lower Energy Costs Through Energy Efficiency. The Act brings the benefits of greater energy efficiency to Maine’s energy consumers by encouraging Maine’s energy efficiency provider, the Efficiency Maine Trust, to procure all cost-effective, reliable and achievable energy...
MA Launches Innovative Dashboard to Track Emissions Reductions
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) today launched a new dashboard for Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) initiatives. Said EEA Secretary Rick Sullivan: As we celebrate Earth Day, it is appropriate to announce a practical tool that will help us gauge our success in protecting the environment. This will allow us to...
NECEC Urges Support for NH HB 306, RGGI Emissions Cap Reduction
The following letter was sent to New Hampshire leadership regarding approval of the reduction of the carbon emissions cap for states participating in RGGI – the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Dear Chairman Prescott and Senators Bradley, Fuller Clark, Woodburn and Odell: This week, the Committee considered HB 306, legislation to approve the reduction of...
Bangor Daily News: RGGI Energy Efficiency Dedication Leads to Lasting Payoffs
The Bangor Daily News published an editorial describing where Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s bill, LD 1425, needs improvement. The Governor’s Bill has been introduced by Rep. Dunphy (R), ranking minority member on the Energy Committee. The editorial points out that the bill has good elements, with the goal of lowering energy costs and reducing dependence on fossil...
McGinn in Politico: More Renewables for States, Not Less
Today’s Politico piece by Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn calls for protecting state Renewable Portfolio Standards, noting that they reduce energy costs and make states, regions and the nation more energy independent. McGinn writes: Renewable Portfolio Standards drive renewable energy development, but more importantly in difficult economic times, RPS policies can decrease electricity rates. For example, in...
New Hampshire Senate Defeats Wind Moratorium Bill
NECEC applauds the New Hampshire Senate for its leadership in defeating the Wind Moratorium Bill SB 99, “An Act relative to the process for applying for a certificate for an energy facility.” The availability and adoption of wind energy has a direct impact on economic development in New Hampshire, promoting local businesses, adding jobs to...
Solar Industry Magazine Highlights NECEC CT RPS Position
The New England Clean Energy Council was featured in a recent Solar Industry article on the debate over the future of Connecticut’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has recommended changing the RPS to increase the Class I resource target from 20% by 2020 to 25% by 2025, and allowing...