Once seen as opponents to climate action, utilities and the business community are making changes. Is that a sign the tides are turning?
As state officials and climate advocates have tried to push forward with major climate initiatives, powerful forces, including gas utilities and prominent business organizations, have for years worked to delay or undermine them.
Now, in a boon for climate action, that appears to be changing.
As business opportunities in a burgeoning clean economy grow, two influential lobbying groups now have leaders with strong environmental credentials. Meanwhile, a prominent business group parted ways with an executive who had represented gas interests, and the state’s two largest utilities have made moves that advocates believe could lead them to deemphasize their fossil fuel based operations.
Kyle Murray, Massachusetts program director at the clean energy advocacy group Acadia Center, who has observed the changes happening across the state’s business community, said they are driven less by the escalating urgency of the climate crisis than by a growing sense of economic opportunity.
“To be blunt about it, the business community will go where they see an opportunity to make money,” he said. “The green transition is providing a ton of jobs and a ton of new investments.”
To read the full article from the Boston Globe, click here.
Concerns over pollution, costs for CT’s phase out of gas-powered cars
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) heard public comment from lawmakers, organizations and the general public over Gov. Ned Lamont’s announcement that Connecticut would begin phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles beginning in 2027.
Connecticut is one of sixteen states that adhere to California’s emission standards as opposed to federal emission standards. California last year announced they would no longer allow the sale of new gasoline powered vehicles by 2035, and, instead, all new vehicle sales would have to be zero emission vehicles, particularly electric vehicles.
Representatives from environmental organizations like Save the Sound, the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Acadia Center all testified that Connecticut’s adoption of these emission standards will lead to less pollution in the air, fewer asthma deaths, more jobs to build out the infrastructure for EV’s and help combat climate change.
To read the full article, click here.
New Jersey environmentalists launch campaign to raise energy awareness
Organizations from around New Jersey have joined together to form Clean Energy Action Now (CLEAN), a campaign dedicated to increasing awareness of the health, economic, and climate benefits of an equitable clean energy future.
The New Jersey environmental advocates launched the campaign to raise awareness of the health, economic, and climate benefits of an equitable clean energy future for New Jersey and to counter lies propagated by the fossil fuel industry.
An Attempt to Enhance Energy Efficiency in Connecticut’s Underserved and Overburdened Communities, Community Expertise, and Climate Advocate Urges
In an area of the country with the oldest housing stock, the highest 25% of emitting homes make up a disproportionate amount – well over 50% – of the residential on-state climate emissions. High emitting homes in Connecticut are not likely weatherized and are more often located in low-income communities and communities of color. High-emitting housing units are also more likely to pose serious health risks. Hazards such as asbestos, mold, lead, vermiculite, and knob and tube wiring, among others, are substantial barriers to retrofitting and energy efficiency upgrades.
At the tail end of Connecticut’s 2023 legislative session, Connecticut’s General Assembly passed H.B. No. 6942. Sections 90 and 91 of H.B. No. 6942 set out the guidance to establish a $125M “Housing Environmental Improvement Revolving Loan Fund” through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Housing. Effective July 1, 2024, $75M will be available in a to provide low-interest financing for retrofits projects of multifamily residences in environmental justice communities that improve energy efficiency and building shell weatherization. Potential projects include but are not limited to, the installation of heat pumps, solar power generating systems, improved roofing, doors, windows, and any electric system or wiring upgrades necessary for such retrofit. The pilot program(s) will also prioritize upgrades that include the remediation of health and safety concerns such as mold, vermiculite, asbestos, etc. They will prioritize upgrades on non-owner-occupied units and units where residents or prospective residents are low-income. H.B. No. 6942 calls attention to engaging residents and owners to assist with participation and implementation. This is especially important as Tenaya Taylor, Executive Director at Nonprofit Accountability Group wrote, “…when people do take the time to find out about energy efficiency programs, complete the burdensome paperwork and get in touch with and convince their landlords to sign off on an application, too often the promised upgrades do not materialize.”
A report by DEEP on the program’s success is expected by October 2027 and will provide any recommendations for a permanent program and any subsequent legislation. The pilot program(s) will run until September 30, 2028.
The pilot program(s) outlined in H.B. No. 6942 align with Acadia Center’s Next Generation Energy Efficiency challenge priorities which aim to address: 1) sub-standard housing quality, 2) climate mitigation, 3) clean heating and whole-house electrification, and 4) sustaining investments in efficiency. Acadia Center will continue collaborating with coalition partners, the Lamont Administration, and community leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while accelerating energy justice.
The Housing Environmental Improvement Loan Fund is an important step towards improving energy efficiency in overburdened and underserved communities. Climate advocates around Connecticut are calling for urgent, collaborative, and transparent action to “reestablish Connecticut as a true climate leader.” Through this process, community knowledge and expertise must be supported, centered, and valued as “the fight for housing justice and the fight for energy justice are the same fight.” Acadia Center will continue to play an active role in advancing energy efficiency efforts in Connecticut while enhancing outreach and engagement efforts to drive action on climate and energy justice.
Utilities, Generators and Wind Developers Spend Big on Lobbying in Mass.
National Grid and Eversource, Massachusetts’ largest investor-owned gas and electric utility companies, were the highest-spending energy companies on lobbying in the state over the first half of this year, while Shell Oil, NextEra and several offshore wind developers also spent big.
The lobbying data sheds light on the political influence, broad agreements and simmering tensions that underlie Massachusetts’ climate and energy policy.
A wide range of organizations representing industry, environmental and labor interests also lobbied in favor of the bill, including National Grid, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Acadia Center and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
To read the full article from RTO Insider, click here.
Environmental advocates launch Clean Energy Action Now
In an effort to raise awareness of the health, economic and climate benefits of an equitable clean energy future for the state, a number of top environmental agencies and advocates announced Tuesday they are launching the Clean Energy Action Now campaign.
The campaign, which will be known as CLEAN, aims to support the urgent adoption of policies that encourage and accelerate clean energy solutions, such as establishing a state target in law of 100% clean electricity by 2035. It also will work toward finding an equitable, affordable pathway to upgrade New Jersey’s homes and buildings to clean energy and highly efficient appliances such as heat pumps.
The following organizations are founding members of CLEAN:
- Acadia Center;
- Environmental Defense Fund;
- Natural Resources Defense Council;
- New Jersey Conservation Foundation;
- New Jersey League of Conservation Voters;
- ReThink Energy NJ;
- Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter;
- New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition;
- MnM Consulting.
To read the full article from ROI-NJ, click here.
Advocates want to limit how utilities pay for ‘political activities’ in Mass.
When you pay your monthly electric or gas bill, you give your utility money for a lot more than just the energy you use.
You pay for the cost of building and maintaining electrical wires or pipelines.
You pay for operating expenses like employee salaries and renting office space.
You pay for the state’s energy efficiency program.
And, experts say, you might also help pay for some of your utility’s attempts to influence climate policy or advance its other political goals.
Several environmental groups in the state like GreenRoots, Acadia Center and Slingshot also say they also support the effort.
“I think specific statutory rules would be beneficial for Massachusetts,” Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said. “Rules that increase transparency and ease the regulatory burden on ratepayers are always welcome.”
To read the full article from wbur, click here.
Connecticut Joins States Across the Region, Announcing Plans to Adopt Live-Saving Clean Cars and Trucks Standards
PRESS RELEASE – July 26, 2023
Hartford — Today, Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and the Environment announced that they are moving forward with plans to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars (ACCII), Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) programs this year. This announcement sets the state on a path to lower vehicle emissions and a healthy transition to electric vehicles and cleaner air.
The transportation sector contributes 38% of the state’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, more than any other sector. Tailpipe pollution is also responsible for 67% of the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a key component of smog that causes increased risk of asthma, lung disease and cancer. In Connecticut specifically, 4 out of 8 counties received F grades from the American Lung Association due to high ozone days.
Heavy-duty trucks and buses make up just 6% of all on-road vehicles across the states, but are responsible for over 50% of all NOx pollution and 45% of the diesel soot, also known as fine particulate matter, which finds its way deep into the lungs resulting in early death attributed to cardiovascular diseases, like heart attacks and strokes, as well as lung cancer, reproductive and developmental harm, and even diabetes and dementia.
“I am heartened by the announcement of these proposed regulations to help curb transportation emissions by the Lamont Administration and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection,” said Jayson Velazquez, Climate and Energy Justice Policy Associate, Acadia Center. “Measures like these will strengthen Connecticut’s position as a leader in climate action. I look forward to continued collaboration between the administration and our coalition partners to achieve equitable and timely emissions reductions.”
To read the full press release from Electric Trucks Now, click here.
Heat pumps are key to a clean-energy future, but how do they work?
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Wednesday is scheduled to vote on a program that seeks to decarbonize buildings by switching space and water heating from fossil fuels to electric heat pumps. While many clean-energy advocates support the project, critics argue the switch will increase demand on the electric grid and require expensive upgrades that could cost utility customers more. But the average New Jersey resident might not know what heat pumps are, how they work or even why people are urged to switch.
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners in living or commercial spaces. Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space. In the summertime, they remove heat from the air inside and push cooled air back into the room. In the cooler months, they do the opposite, drawing heat energy from the air outside and moving it into the home, according to the Acadia Center.
Heat pumps do not generate heat; they simply transfer it.
Are heat pumps really cost-efficient?
When entire units are replaced, annual savings are around 3,000 kilowatt hours (or $459) as compared to electric resistant heaters and 6,200 kWh (or $948) as compared to oil system, according to a study by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships.
An Acadia Center report also said New Jersey residents could save hundreds of dollars annually on their energy bills. But how much residents can save depends on prior fuel sources, weatherization, local utility rates and ongoing fluctuations in the energy market, according to the Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey.
To read the full article in NJ Spotlight News, click here.
Massachusetts is phasing out natural gas. Why is it expanding in Douglas?
There’s not a whole lot to do in the tiny Central Massachusetts town of Douglas. There are state forests, a couple of pizza shops, and the water slides of the Breezy Picnic Grounds — it’s more Norman Rockwell than Downtown Crossing.
It also happens to be among the state’s 91 cities and towns with no natural gas service, a distinction that has led climate advocates to believe such communities are sure bets for converting quickly and easily from dirty fuels like oil and propane directly to climate-friendly electricity.
So they were dismayed recently to learn that Douglas officials and one of the state’s biggest gas utilities worked in the shadows for several years to bring gas service to the town and deliberately concealed the plans from climate advocates and others who might intervene.
“It sounds like this was an attempt to keep this out of the public eye, to keep the public less informed,” said Kyle Murray, director of the Massachusetts program at the clean energy advocacy nonprofit Acadia Center. “It’s incredibly depressing.”
To read the full article in the Boston Globe, click here.
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