Massachusetts

The Massachusetts House passed a comprehensive energy bill aimed at tackling affordability issues in the Commonwealth.  House Bill 5151 builds on Gov. Healey’s proposal to bring cost effective clean energy online and increase grid reliability. 

Canary Media reports on the proposed Trimount battery project—a 700MW, 2.8GWh facility near Boston, MA. United’s Alex Lawton emphasized that projects like Trimount could demonstrate how energy storage technologies can reduce grid strain and increase affordability for consumers.

United’s Shawn Kelly and Sarah Steinberg discuss United’s latest report with Demand Side Analytics, which identifies ways in which Massachusetts could support electrification without abandoning its energy conservation and long-term system cost containment imperatives. The report’s findings discovered that a time-of-use (TOU) electric rate, paired with enhanced energy efficiency efforts, can significantly reduce residential energy bills for electrified homes while mitigating rate increases for all homes.

A new report, authored by Advanced Energy United and Demand Side Analytics, identifies ways in which Massachusetts can support electrification without abandoning its energy efficiency and long-term system cost containment imperatives. The report shows that a time-of-use (TOU) electric rate, paired with enhanced energy efficiency efforts, can significantly reduce residential energy bills for electrified homes while mitigating rate increases for all homes.

Canary Media reports on Massachusetts advocates urging Governor Maura Healey to stay the course on enforcement of the state’s long-established ACCII standards, amid concerns that the administration may backtrack on those commitments. United’s Kat Burnham observes the pressure to roll back these standards isn’t coming from consumers, and notes the state already has incentives and infrastructure in place to support the transition to electrified transportation.

Amidst the shifting political landscape, advanced energy experts weigh in on the potential impacts of Trump’s proposed tariffs on renewable energy solutions (e.g., offshore wind, solar, and geothermal). United’s Harry Godfrey shared his insights with The Boston Globe, emphasizing the progress advanced energy has made across the nation and the many benefits renewables provide for Americans, including lower energy costs, job creation, and economic boosts.

In 2023, advanced energy employment nationwide increased by 4%, more than double the growth rate of the overall U.S. labor market. Advanced energy jobs surged from 2022 to 2023, with 4.1 million U.S. workers now working in the sector. Some of these gains were driven by the early impact of tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Boston Globe discusses the recent developments in offshore wind farms in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, highlighting the significant investment and progress being made by both states to expand their offshore wind capacity, enhance renewable energy sources, and reduce carbon emissions. In the article, United’s Kat Burnham praised the efforts made by Governor Healy administration in Massachusetts to support new wind farm projects.

The Boston Globe covers the recent federal funding allocated to New England for grid upgrades to support clean energy goals. The article quotes United’s Jeremy McDiarmid who highlights the importance of interstate cooperation, adding that state coordination should save money for New England ratepayers in the long run.

In an opinion piece for The Boston Business Journal, United’s Jeremy McDiarmid discusses the urgent need for siting and permitting reform in Massachusetts and across the country to streamline processes and reduce delays for infrastructure projects. McDiarmid emphasizes that these reforms are essential for building clean energy infrastructure, creating jobs, and ensuring a reliable, clean energy future.

Anticipation builds for the latest round of offshore wind solicitation in New England

In an opinion piece featured in NJ Spotlight News, United’s President and CEO Heather O’Neill writes about the storm of challenges the offshore wind industry faced in the last few post-pandemic years, and highlights four key steps to getting the industry back to full power.