ENERGY
The Bay State is eager to claim the cutting-edge of sustainable solutions. CommonWealth Beacon breaks down moves in renewable energy, conservation, and innovation, from offshore wind to cranberry bog solar arrays, gas taxes to retrofit incentives.
FEMA quietly removes access to New England coastal erosion hazard tool
FEMA has not explained why some climate products have been hidden from view, but the New England regional director told Nantucket that it is “to ensure the alignment” of FEMA actions with Trump directives.
‘We have time to reverse this. We have time to step up’
The Trump administration has begun to pull back on key environmental protections designed to transition the country off of fossil fuels.
‘Water doesn’t know property lines’: Where Massachusetts’s climate and housing crises meet
“The state rules have to catch up with the reality of climate change,” said Matthew Fee, a Nantucket select board member. “A town road can’t be abandoned if someone’s [living] on it, but what happens when the road goes into the ocean?”
Trump’s shadow looms as offshore wind price negotiation deadline missed
The latest delay was the second time since Trump was elected that the two sides have failed to meet a deadline and contract negotiations had to be extended.
‘Cut hay, not USDA’: Mass. farmers rally in Hadley against agriculture program cuts
Hundreds gathered outside Hadley Town Hall Sunday protesting a deluge of changes to the USDA by the Trump administration, including frozen grant money, program cuts, staff layoffs, and the slated closure of Massachusetts’ Natural Resources Conservation Service office.
Mass. agriculture commissioner urges federal government to release funds and rehire USDA staff
The head of the Massachusetts’ agricultural department has written a letter urging the federal government to release frozen funds for farmers and reinstate staff at the US Department of Agriculture.
Mass. legislators visited Canadian renewable power operations
The trip comes as state energy policies shaped through a series of clean energy laws are suddenly at odds with the new direction of federal energy policy under President Donald Trump.
Massachusetts-based company launches program to fund community solar projects
With the federal dollars for renewable energy slowing to a trickle or stopping altogether, a company based in Cambridge called Solstice is looking to provide some funding to community solar projects in underserved areas.
After heating bills spike, Healey announces $50 credit for electric customers
Gov. Maura Healey announced a plan on Monday to save ratepayers in Massachusetts up to $5.8 billion on their energy bills in the next five years, with immediate relief in the form of a $50 credit for residential customers on electricity bills in April.
EPA move to undermine greenhouse gas regulation will hurt US competitiveness, says former Mass. energy official
“Pollution knows no state boundary, nor does heat, drought or intense storms.” – Former Mass. energy undersecretary Barbara Kates-Garnick on the Trump administration’s attempt to weaken a rule that underpins the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
The $500 million cut to Mass Save budget is ‘short-sighted,’ climate activists say
“Like a lot of stuff in the climate world, this decision is going to save people money in the short term but cost us more money in the long term.” – Vickash Mohanka, head of the Massachusetts Sierra Club.
Spring in Massachusetts has warmed by approximately two and a half degrees Fahrenheit over the past 55 years
Spring in Massachusetts counties has warmed by approximately two and a half degrees Fahrenheit over the past 55 years leading to earlier fire seasons and increased risks of drought, according to a new Climate Matters analysis.
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