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RGGI States Leading the Way Toward Economic and Environmental Success

Category: Press Releases

BOSTON — A new report from Acadia Center shows that the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) continues to deliver for the economy, for the environment, and for public health. The program is driving down CO2 emissions, which have declined in each of the last 6 years and are down 40% since the program launched. The RGGI states have outperformed the rest of the country in emissions reductions and economic growth over this period, and the region has seen average electricity prices fall while prices have increased in the rest of the country. On top of all
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Labor, Environmental Leaders Urge Connecticut Action on Offshore Wind

Category: Press Releases

HARTFORD, CT — More than sixty labor, religious, environmental and business leaders gathered on Wednesday to discuss the development of offshore wind energy in New England and to call for Connecticut to act quickly to secure a share of the jobs and economic activity. The half-day forum, hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”) Local 90 in Wallingford, was organized by the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs and Acadia Center, with co-sponsorship from the Connecticut Port Authority and the Greater Hartford-New Britain Building and Construction Trades Council. Following the gathering, the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs
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Public Service Commission Decision Undermines Consumer-Friendly Future for Solar Power and Clean Distributed Energy

Category: Press Releases

NEW YORK — The Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an important Implementation Order on September 14, 2017, in the Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) proceeding (Case 15-E-0751). Unfortunately, this order will impede the advancement of solar energy in New York and impose unnecessary barriers on the ability of consumers, businesses and communities to benefit from this clean energy resource. The structure laid out by the PSC in March of 2017 promised to reform and update New York’s approach to valuing solar energy and expanding consumer solar markets. The Order undermines the new VDER net metering structure because it undervalues distributed
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Maine Grassroots Climate Change Action Conference draws activists statewide

Category: News

One of the well-attended sessions was titled “Maine’s Clean Energy Future: A Vision for 2030 Fossil Fuel Free and Non-Transmission Alternatives.” Kathleen Meil, of Acadia Center, an advocate for clean energy, said Maine is a leader in utilization of heat pumps. “Heat pumps are paying off,“ she said. Her presentation also emphasized that further introduction of natural gas into Maine is not an effective strategy. “We are done with natural gas,” Meil said. “Natural gas is not the future.” Read the full article from the Sun Journal here.

Environmentalists say state’s energy plan falls short

Category: News

But in a letter to Klee last week, 24 environmental groups — including the Acadia Center, the Sierra Club and the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters — challenged Klee’s assumption, saying DEEP’s plan is too modest to achieve those goals. Read the full article from the Connecticut Post here.

RGGI Auction Prices Rebound in Response to Proposed Changes

Category: Press Releases

BOSTON — Prices increased in the first Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction since the participating states proposed a set of changes to the program. This is an initial indication that the market expects the program to be stronger in the future. All 14,371,585 available allowances were sold at a clearing price of $4.35, generating $62,516,395 in revenue for reinvestment. This brings the program’s total revenue to $2.78 billion—most of which has been used to fund energy efficiency and other consumer benefit programs. The Auction 37 clearing price is 72% higher than the previous auction and 4% lower than the
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Green groups push CT for more ambitious renewable standards

Category: News

Two dozen officials from groups like Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Acadia Center, Sierra Club, CT Roundtable on Climate & Jobs and Connecticut Citizen Action Group signed a letter delivered to DEEP ahead of its Thursday afternoon public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES), released last month. Read the full article from the Hartford Business Journal here.

Massachusetts Joins Other States in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Announcing Plan to Reduce Emissions by Additional 30 Percent over 2020 Levels

Category: News

The consortium has been lauded for its success in achieving carbon dioxide emissions reductions and extensive investment in clean energy technology. A 2016 report by the Acadia Center found RGGI states reduced emissions by 16 percent more than other states while energy prices fell by an average of 3.4 percent. The regional permit auctions have generated more than $2.7 billion in proceeds used to build a cleaner energy system, and healthcare cost savings from emissions reductions are estimated to be nearly $6 billion. Read the full article from The National Law Review here.

Proposed State Energy Strategy Draws Critics

Category: News

A group of 24 energy and environmental groups submitted a letter to state officials in advance of Wednesday’s public hearing detailing their fears that the new plan falls short of what is needed to achieve Connecticut’s energy goals. […] The coalition protesting different aspects of the proposed energy strategy includes the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Acadia Center, and Clean Water Action. Among the other organizations signing on to the letter were the Connecticut Sierra Club, Solar Connecticut Inc., the Connecticut Citizens Action Group, and the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. Read the full article from the Hartford Courant here.

Low Lily fan-funds full-length album

Category: News

“We open it up to YOU to preorder the CD, and maybe consider donating more, selecting one of the many enticing rewards we have come up with to make this extra fun, and — we hope — mutually beneficial. “In addition to being artists, we are also dedicated citizens of our world, and we love to support organizations who we feel are doing great things for the sustainability of our planet. Therefore we will be donating 5% of all money we raise to the Acadia Center, based here in the northeast. We like the Acadia Center, as they spend time
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