Congressman Auchincloss Appointed to Energy & Commerce

Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) has been appointed to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. The Committee is at the forefront of health care, technology, and energy policy. Rep. Auchincloss will serve on the Health, Energy, and Environment subcommittees. 

In particular, the committee has responsibility for matters including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce. 

 

Congressman Auchincloss Appointed to Energy & Commerce

“I am focused on lowering the cost of health care. Energy & Commerce is the prime committee for policy that can reduce co-pays and premiums, empower patients and doctors, and rein in the middlemen of corporate healthcare. I am excited to get working on legislation,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04)

 

A photo from Congressman Auchincloss’ first full-committee meeting can be viewed here -> 

Register Now! The Transmission Challenge: Unleashing New England's Renewable Energy Potential featuring Sen. Markey

The Transmission Challenge:Unleashing New England's Renewable Energy PotentialA new era of renewable energy beckons in New England. Yet the promise of deploying abundant clean energy — both on land and at sea — faces a fundamental obstacle: the need for new and upgraded transmission infrastructure.  Without significant transmission planning and investment, New England states risk squandering clean and inexpensive energy sources while falling short of vitally important carbon reduction goals. Effective transmission planning will help ensure states meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and reward New England ratepayers with billions in energy savings.Join RENEW Northeast, an organization that unites environmental advocates and the clean energy industry, along with energy regulators, elected officials, and thought leaders, for a conference on the urgent and necessary steps to build the transmission foundation for the next era of clean energy.Monday, April 3, 20238:30 a.m. - NoonFederal Reserve Bank of BostonProgram Details:Keynote Address - Senator Edward J. MarkeyPresentation - Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of EnergyPanel Discussion - Making the Connection: Transmission Challenges Confronting Renewable EnergyNew England faces a variety of challenges in connecting needed renewable energy resources to a legacy grid built around fossil fuel power plants. Our panel of leading clean energy executives, public interest organizations and leading academic researchers will explore the opportunities and obstacles in harnessing the full potential of New England renewable energy.Featured Panelists: Clarke Bruno, CEO, AnbaricMichelle Gardner, Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs - Northeast, NextEra Energy ResourcesCarrie Hitt, Lead Transmission Strategy & Innovation Hub, EquinorSarah Jackson, Northeast Climate Mitigation Strategy Lead, The Nature ConservancyLopa Parikh, Head of Electricity Policy, OrstedPanel Discussion - The Transmission Infrastructure Opportunity: The Regional PlanIn recognizing the need to expand transmission and work collaboratively, New England states are joining together to pursue Department of Energy funding to support the expanding grid capacity and building critical new infrastructure. What are the potential benefits from this innovative multi-state collaboration and what hurdles remain? Join leading New England energy officials working on the proposal (panel in formation).Featured Panelists:Moderator: Jon Chesto, Reporter, The Boston GlobePhilip L. Bartlett II, Chairman, Maine Public Utilities CommissionChristopher Kearns, Interim Energy Commissioner, Rhode Island Office of Energy ResourcesJason Marshall, Deputy Secretary & Special Counsel for Federal & Regional Energy Affairs, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental AffairsRegister Now for what promises to be an engaging morning. We look forward to seeing you there!

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The Transmission Challenge: Unleashing New England's Renewable Energy Potential A new era of renewable energy beckons in New England. Yet the promise of deploying abundant clean energy — both on land and at sea — faces a fundamental obstacle: the need for new and upgraded transmission infrastructure.   Without significant transmission planning and investment, New England states risk squandering clean and inexpensive energy sources while falling short of vitally important carbon reduction goals. Effective transmission planning will help ensure states meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and reward New England ratepayers with billions in energy savings. Join RENEW Northeast, an organization that unites environmental advocates and the clean energy industry, along with energy regulators, elected officials, and thought leaders, for a conference on the urgent and necessary steps to build the transmission foundation for the next era of clean energy. Monday, April 3, 2023 8:30 a.m. - Noon Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Program Details: Keynote Address - Senator Edward J. Markey Presentation - Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy Panel Discussion - Making the Connection: Transmission Challenges Confronting Renewable Energy New England faces a variety of challenges in connecting needed renewable energy resources to a legacy grid built around fossil fuel power plants. Our panel of leading clean energy executives, public interest organizations and leading academic researchers will explore the opportunities and obstacles in harnessing the full potential of New England renewable energy. Featured Panelists: Clarke Bruno, CEO, Anbaric Michelle Gardner, Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs - Northeast, NextEra Energy Resources Carrie Hitt, Lead Transmission Strategy & Innovation Hub, Equinor Sarah Jackson, Northeast Climate Mitigation Strategy Lead, The Nature Conservancy Lopa Parikh, Head of Electricity Policy, Orsted Panel Discussion - The Transmission Infrastructure Opportunity: The Regional Plan In recognizing the need to expand transmission and work collaboratively, New England states are joining together to pursue Department of Energy funding to support the expanding grid capacity and building critical new infrastructure. What are the potential benefits from this innovative multi-state collaboration and what hurdles remain? Join leading New England energy officials working on the proposal (panel in formation). Featured Panelists: Moderator: Jon Chesto, Reporter, The Boston Globe Philip L. Bartlett II, Chairman, Maine Public Utilities Commission Christopher Kearns, Interim Energy Commissioner, Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Jason Marshall, Deputy Secretary & Special Counsel for Federal & Regional Energy Affairs, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Register Now for what promises to be an engaging morning. We look forward to seeing you there! Monday, April 3, 2023 8:30 AM Transmission Challenge: Unleashing New England's Renewable Energy Potential Register Federal Reserve Bank of Boston RENEW Northeast PO Box 383, Madison, CT 06443 US

Permitting Reform: The key to Unlocking Massachusetts’ Energy Revolution -Thursday, April 6

Program with Massachusetts energy leaders, advocates, and key legislators exploring why permitting reform is critical to meeting clean energy goals

The path to achieving decarbonization goals and ultimately a net-zero Commonwealth faces a challenge: The arduous and lengthy process of upgrading the local and regional electric grid and permitting new energy infrastructure. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law lay the financial incentives and support to expand ambitious infrastructure investments that can usher in a clean energy future. But projects typically encounter an uncertain fate on the ground, including a maze of litigation and unnecessary permitting delays that are making climate goals increasingly difficult to meet. The permitting reform challenge involves balancing critical review processes that ensure equitable stakeholder participation with the urgency to upgrade current infrastructure and install the next generation equipment. As Massachusetts considers reforms designed to streamline energy infrastructure regulation, join the MASSterList and the State House News Service for an important panel discussion on this critical policy issue with Massachusetts energy leaders, advocates, and key legislators. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Dylan Rossiter: Dylan.Rossiter@StateHouseNews.com IN-PERSON EVENT [THURSDAY, APRIL 6] MCLE New England — 10 Winter Pl, Boston (Downtown Crossing), MA 02108 8 AM networking/light refreshments — 9 AM panel discussion TICKETS PANEL DISCUSSION: Rep. Jeffrey Roy: House Chair, Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Lizzi Weyant: Deputy Executive Director for Public Affairs and Advocacy, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Elizabeth Turnbull Henry: President, Environmental League of Massachusetts Steve Woerner: President, National Grid New England Colin A. Young: Reporter, State House News Service (moderator)

Affiliated News Services, LLC | 568 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482 Sent by massterlist@massterlist.com

CommonWealth Magazine: "The dirty truth of Northfield Mountain’s ‘clean’ energy"

"ON FEBRUARY 11, CommonWealth published a commentary by FirstLight Power CEO Alicia Barton bragging of the Christmas Eve grid-rescuing heroics of her company’s Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station. She went on to describe Northfield as a “zero-emissions” power plant that helped save New England from a natural gas energy squeeze. There were holes in her contentions, and she failed to mention all the other elephants in the room.

Northfield Mountain, located on the Connecticut River in northwest Massachusetts, is actually a gas-powered plant. It’s a massive, net-power-loss electric machine, run off ISO-New England’s imported natural gas and nuclear-dominated energy grid. Its daily use halts, cripples, and reverses miles of the Connecticut River. Its turbines annually kill hundreds of millions of eggs, larvae, and juvenile and adult fish, and other assorted aquatic species in a four-state river system."

Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/the-dirty-truth-of-northfield-mountains-clean-energy/

 

CommonWealth Magazine: "The dirty truth of Northfield Mountain’s ‘clean’ energy"

Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) 2022-23 Winter Heating Season Begins November 1, 2022

LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30. The Massachusetts home energy assistance program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating cost for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30. The LIHEAP program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development in partnership with a network of 20 agencies across the state. No matter what type of heating source you have, LIHEAP may be able to help you pay your winter heating bills. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.

Eligible Massachusetts households, can apply online at www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP

or find their local agency at hedfuel.azurewebsites.net (enter Franklin)

Note: when I followed both links, they agreed in determining that Self Help, Inc is the service provider for Franklin. You can apply online directly at -> https://www.toapply.org/SHI

Thanks for connecting with Self-Help, Inc

How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams

How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams By Colleen Tressler When temperatures drop, it often costs more to stay comfortable in your home — and scammers know that. This alert is the first in a series to help you get your home ready for winter, save money, and avoid fraud.  Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/09/how-save-money-utilities-winter-and-avoid-scams

How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams

The Hill: "US on ‘cusp’ of falling gas prices"

Gasoline futures fell more than 10 percent Tuesday and are down more than 22 percent since June, raising hopes that the high price of gas across the country might soon fall. 

• The price of U.S. crude oil fell more than 8 percent and international benchmark Brent crude fell nearly 10 percent on Tuesday. 
• “We’re on the cusp of seeing more savings,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at gas price tracking site GasBuddy. “I’m trying to be a little bit optimistic here that this relief could make its entire way to the pump in the weeks ahead.”  

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline now stands at $4.78, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), down from a recent peak above $5 per gallon. A year ago, the national average was only $3.13, representing a 50-percent annual spike in the price of gas.  

Continue reading the Energy update from The Hill -> https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/overnights/3548202-energy-environment-why-gas-prices-may-finally-be-on-the-way-down/ 

A motorist fills up a vehicle at a Shell gas station Monday, July 4, 2022, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“If we give nature a chance, and back off from fighting it, it comes back”

REP. PATRICIA HADDAD of Somerset, long a powerful figure in the Massachusetts House, is now also the star of a new documentary written, directed, and produced by California-based filmmaker Kiki Goshay about America’s love affair with energy.

The documentary’s strength is the long look it takes at the country’s haphazard energy evolution from one president to the next, and from one crisis to the next. The story is told using Haddad and Somerset as the laboratory where those twists and turns play out – often with devastating personal and environmental consequences.

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/rep-haddad-is-star-of-energy-documentary-2/ 

Listen to this episode of The Codcast  https://soundcloud.com/massinc/empowered-somerset

CommonWealth Magazine · Haddad is star of energy documentary

Get ready for Saturday, May 21 - Recycling event at Beaver Pond, Earth Day Clean up at DelCarte

1 - Recycling and Energy Drive
Saturday May 14 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Chilson Beach (Beaver Pond)

Details in the flyer found here (download a copy as a reminder)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ivod-3X5poF_kuwnpNdtE8cTnaq17N_u/view?usp=sharing

Get ready for Saturday, May 21 - Recycling event at Beaver Pond

2 - Earth Day Clean up at DelCarte Recreation Area

t-shirts provided for volunteers, community service hours certified as needed

Scheduled for 9 AM to Noon, Saturday, May 21 

Meet at the playground parking lot

Additional details can be found on the Town page

https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/earth-day-2022-delcarte-cleanup-event

Earth Day Clean up at DelCarte Recreation Area

DelCarte Recreation Area parking lot on Pleasant St 

If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?

When most people toss a plastic bottle or cup into the recycling bin, they assume that means the plastic is recycled – but a new report lays bare how rarely that actually happens.

According to the Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics, the organization behind the report released on Wednesday, the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was just 5% to 6% in 2021.

The Department of Energy also released a research paper this week, which analyzed data from 2019, and came to the same number: only 5% of plastics are being recycled. The researchers on that report wrote that landfilled plastic waste in the United States has been on the rise for many reasons, including “low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country”, according to a press release.

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/04/us-recycling-plastic-waste 

Last Beach Cleanup & Beyond Plastics report -> 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/62726edceb7cc742d53eb073/1651666652743/The+Real+Truth+about+the+U.S.+Plastic+Recycling+Rate+2021+Facts+and+Figures+_5-4-22.pdf

Dept of Energy report ->    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344922002087?via%3Dihub

 

If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?

Recap on Energy/Climate front: one step forward, two steps back

Something to watch for as a key component of the MA net zero goals: 

"Administration officials did not respond to requests for comment, but the Department of Energy Resources notified stakeholders it was releasing on Tuesday a “straw proposal” containing updates to the existing stretch code and a framework for an “opt-in specialized stretch code.” 

Sources said the revisions to the state building code would deal primarily with windows, insulation, and other measures to reduce energy usage. The opt-in specialized stretch code would allow communities to voluntarily take additional measures that would accelerate energy conservation, including requiring all new construction to include rooftop solar where practicable. 

The stretch code would also require new construction to be equipped for full electrification and to meet at least some passive house standards, the goal of which is to dramatically limit energy usage."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/baker-seeking-major-changes-in-building-code/

Baker seeking major changes in building code

While the building codes may move forward, a move by the ISO-New England group apparently moves the State efforts backward.

"At a time when New England should be racing to bring as much clean energy online as possible to green its electricity supply, the grid moved this past week to effectively discourage major wind and solar projects for at least another two years.

Like other regional power suppliers, New England’s grid operator has been asked by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to remove or change a mechanism that makes it harder for clean energy projects to enter the competitive market. But after months of saying it supported such a measure, ISO-New England reversed its stance last week and aligned with a proposal from the natural gas industry that would slow-walk any such change.

“It’s another example of not meeting the moment to usher in the clean energy transition,” said Jeremy McDiarmid, of the Northeast Clean Energy Council. “It is an example of the system not being equipped to change as fast as we need it to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/05/science/decision-made-behind-closed-doors-may-set-clean-energy-back-by-two-years/ 

MAPC: Resources for Low-Income Residents to lower their energy bills

25% of U.S. households have a high energy burden -- meaning they spend a a high percentage of their incomes on energy bills. @AllInEnergy helps people lower their bills through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and income-based discounts.

https://t.co/Xde1rIAt80   or   https://www.mapc.org/planning101/reducing-energy-burden-resources-for-low-income-residents/

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MAPCMetroBoston/status/1490683515188355073

MAPC: Resources for Low-Income Residents to lower their energy bills

State Representative Roy: What's happening - September 2021 Newsletter

View this email in your browser Your support is greatly appreciated! Thank you I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who attended my event on September 8 in Franklin. It was an amazing evening and I am so grateful we could all reconnect in person. It was a treat turning 60 with so many of you present. You can view photos from the night by clicking here. I have some people that I need to thank for all their efforts and support. Thanks to the whole team at La Cantina Winery for hosting us at their beautiful outdoor space. I also want to thank the team at The Rome Restaurant for providing, as always, such delicious food. I would also like to thank Dr. Michael Walker-Jones, Jennifer Knight, Tom Mercer, Mike Doherty, Representative Mike Soter, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, and Majority Leader Claire Cronin for giving such thoughtful and kind remarks. I am honored and humbled by their friendship and support over the years. If you haven't had a chance to donate towards the event yet, and you want to support our 2022 campaign, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you all again for coming. I couldn't have spent my 60th birthday with better people. I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Jeff Energy/recycling event in Franklin We had a very successful Recycling and Energy Event in Franklin. Over 300 cars were served and over 100 dehumidifiers were delivered in exchange for $30 and a rebate on a new purchase. The program typically brings in 1,600 dehumidifiers annually across the state, and we did 100 in just one day. We also collected four truckloads of furniture for Habitat for Humanity and two truckloads of electronics for recycling. And we had folks from Eversource and Mass Save sign up several customers for energy savings repairs in their homes. It was a great way to help fight climate change and reduce energy costs. Many thanks to Fred Cullen at Green Team Junk Removal, Marcie Rappa, National Grid, EverSource, MassSave, Habitat for Humanity, and the Town of Franklin for helping put it all together and make it a success. And thank you to the residents for helping save the planet by showing up and turning in your unused goods and and giving them new life. Copyright (C) 2021 State Rep Jeff Roy. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 43 Boston, MA 02133 The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents, follow this link ->  https://mailchi.mp/4ef97d58f1fd/whats-happening-september-2021-newsletter?

"Oil firms knew decades ago fossil fuels posed grave health risks, files reveal"

"The oil industry knew at least 50 years ago that air pollution from burning fossil fuels posed serious risks to human health, only to spend decades aggressively lobbying against clean air regulations, a trove of internal documents seen by the Guardian reveal.

The documents, which include internal memos and reports, show the industry was long aware that it created large amounts of air pollution, that pollutants could lodge deep in the lungs and be “real villains in health effects”, and even that its own workers may be experiencing birth defects among their children.

But these concerns did little to stop oil and gas companies, and their proxies, spreading doubt about the growing body of science linking the burning of fossil fuels to an array of health problems that kill millions of people around the world each year. Echoing the fossil-fuel industry’s history of undermining of climate science, oil and gas interests released a torrent of material aimed at raising uncertainty over the harm caused by air pollution and used this to deter US lawmakers from placing further limits on pollutants."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/18/oil-industry-fossil-fuels-air-pollution-documents

CommonWealth Magazine: "Home energy upgrades could be challenge"

 

"THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE has once again sent a comprehensive climate bill to Gov. Charlie Baker, and this time Baker has sent it back with a series of amendments. While the two sides agree on the broad terms of the bill, a major sticking point is an interim goal on the road to net zero emissions by 2050. The bill would mandate that emission levels reach 50 percent of 1990 levels by 2030. The Baker administration (and current state policy) favors a 45 percent goal.

That difference of 5 points almost seems like a rounding error, but it has major implications for everyday residents, especially for homeowners. Among other measures, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides says that extra 5 percentage points would require the complete elimination of heating oil. EEA estimates retrofitting oil-heated homes would cost an additional $3 billion over 10 years. Meanwhile, under either interim target scenario, tens of thousands of homes need to convert from carbon-heavy fuels like oil and gas to renewables like solar and wind." 

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/news-analysis/poll-home-energy-upgrades-could-be-challenge/

CommonWealth Magazine: "Home energy upgrades could be challenge"

FM #470 - Interview with State Rep Jeff Roy - 02/22/21 (audio)

FM #470 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 470 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Indoor riding to prepare for his 19th PanMass Challenge
• Thursday night continues COVID-19 modified rehearsal with Ben Gardner’s Boat 
• Outlook for 2021
• Pandemic, vaccine, oversight of Gov Baker and pandemic process
• Committee assignment: Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities, and Energy
• What bills did you Intro/or re-introduce for this session

Links to Jeff's personal web page as well as his Legislative pages are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 42 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jeff.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c7fea725-a210-4022-8eeb-1024c04e576a

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Rep Roy’s State Legislator profile page which lists the bills he filed for the 192nd Session  https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1 

Rep Roy’s personal page  https://jeffreyroy.com/ 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Rep Roy on his tour of UMass Medical in Nov 2019 as part of his visits to all 29 MA Commonwealth public colleges