“Renewable natural gas” is not a large-scale climate solution. It’s a shameless attempt by the fossil fuel industry to convince New Englanders to pay for more polluting pipelines.
A Renewable Energy Certificate is a way to measure and track the production of clean energy. It’s how states and utilities track how much clean energy is being produced by renewable energy sources and which electrical utilities are buying that power.
From more severe storms to prolonged heat waves, climate change is here and it’s happening now. Luckily, clean energy solutions like solar panels can help both our planet and our economy.
In spite of its critics, clean, renewable energy continues to come down in price and become better able to handle the demands of our electricity grid.
“Mainers have a right to affordable, clean energy,” said Emily Green, Staff Attorney at CLF. “Strong solar policy helps create jobs, protects our environment, and can lower our energy bills. This bill puts the interests of residents and businesses first, and clears the way for Maine’s clean energy future.”
Since Sean Mahoney, CLF’s Executive Vice President, and his wife put a rooftop solar panel system on their barn, they’ve noticed a huge difference in their energy bills. All told, their annual energy costs have decreased by up to 80 percent! For the Mahoneys, installing solar panels was about both saving money on electricity and about reducing their carbon footprint.
Siting solar energy projects can be a challenge in a small, dense state like Rhode Island; state guidelines can help solve problems before they start.
“It is senseless to punish solar panel owners for generating their own electricity, and today’s ruling finally recognizes that fact,” said Emily Green, Staff Attorney at CLF. “This regressive policy burdened businesses with unnecessary fees and thwarted efforts to expand solar energy in Maine. Clean, job-creating solar will help end our addiction to dirty fossil fuels and we must do more to encourage it, including eliminating this senseless fee for homes and small businesses next.
While Massachusetts has made solid progress on clean energy, much work remains if we want to protect our families and businesses from the devastating effects of climate change. The magnitude of the transition before us – moving to virtually 100 percent clean energy in every sector of our economy – allows no rest or time… Continue reading If We Act Fast, Massachusetts Can Still Make Progress on Clean Energy
Strong net metering policies are a critical step on our path towards a local, clean energy future.
