The Trump administration has begun to pull back on key environmental protections designed to transition the country off of fossil fuels.
Environment
Posted inEnergy
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.
Posted inEnvironment
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.
Posted inEnvironment
Republican and Democratic lawmakers push for a statewide water conservation strategy
After a record fire and drought season in Massachusetts, legislation in the new legislative session aims to empower the state to conserve water during severe drought.
Posted inEnergy
National Grid pulls plug on a geothermal pilot program in Lowell
One of three geothermal pilot programs in Massachusetts to displace fossil fuels for heating and cooling has been quietly scrapped. National Grid has cited high costs for pulling the plug on its project in Lowell.
Posted inEnergy
Replacing fossil fuel-fired ‘peaker plants’ can help Massachusetts meet climate goals, according to new report
New report says that replacing fossil fuel-fired “peaker plants” can help Massachusetts meet climate goals. Advocates say that these power plants are the “worst offenders with the dirtiest per unit of energy produced.”
Posted inOpinion
Each of us needs to help regulate our urban forest
AS WE LEAVE BEHIND one of the hottest summers on record, it is encouraging that the federal government has just released more than $1 billion in grants from the administration’s Inflation Reduction Act to help communities build broader, healthier, and more equitable urban forests. The city of Boston received over $11 million, Springfield $6 million, […]
Posted inOpinion
My energy efficiency efforts were frustrated by Mass Save
THERE’S A BROAD consensus in Massachusetts, affirmed by state law and policy, to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies as an important way to advance our climate and energy goals. In my experience, unfortunately, the Commonwealth’s energy efficiency programs do not appear capable of supporting these goals. I offer this brief outline of my […]
Posted inOpinion
Why is the US locking down for climate change?
AMERICANS REALLY hated locking down for COVID-19, so why does the US keep locking down for climate change? Sometimes we are locked in, due to wildfire smoke and heat; and sometimes we are locked out, with homes leveled due to flooding and fire; but the bottom line is–we keep locking down. Our children aren’t playing […]
Posted inEnvironment
Healey: State agencies to stop buying plastic bottles
GOV. MAURA HEALEY said she plans to issue an executive order later this week barring state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles, a move that gives new life to a long-simmering debate on Beacon Hill about the best ways to reduce and recycle waste materials. At a conference in New York on Monday hosted by […]