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Climate Bill Stalemate: The Unfinished Business of Massachusetts’ Legislative Session

A variety of bills relating to the future of clean energy and a resilient climate in the Commonwealth to keep it on track to meet its 2050 climate goals of net-zero emissions were consolidated into the climate omnibus bill for this session.

By Sophia Gosselin-Smoske read more Icon arrow
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2024 is the Year for Your Organization to Save with Solar

This expansion of eligibility is an exciting opportunity for organizations operating in these areas to unlock even more savings with solar.

By Katie Moffitt read more Icon arrow
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Operational Impacts of Extreme Weather Events

New England’s electric grid system operator, ISO New England, has spent over a decade implementing a series of out-of-market winter reliability programs to ensure the region does not risk energy shortages in the coldest months. Now ISO New England has published a study showing that these programs, which are ultimately paid for by New England electric customers, merit careful scrutiny and quantitative analysis to determine if they are really needed.

By Jackie Litynski and Chelsea Mattioda read more Icon arrow
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Massachusetts Make-Ready Program: New Incentives for EV Chargers and Infrastructure

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly popular, one of the biggest challenges to their adoption is the lack of charging infrastructure. After a long regulatory process, the new Massachusetts “Make-Ready Program” is helping to address this challenge.

By Julia Damiano read more Icon arrow
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Going Solar Has Never Been More Affordable for Housing Authorities and Other Nonprofits, Here’s Why

PowerOptions is excited to announce Sunwealth as our solar provider. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help your organization go solar, get in touch with us today.

By Katie Moffitt read more Icon arrow
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Funding Opportunities for Colleges and Universities

The IRA includes several provisions and incentives that will allow colleges and universities to deploy changes that help their campuses and communities adapt to climate change and provide for a more sustainable future.

By Julia Damiano read more Icon arrow
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New England Relies on Costly Fossil Fuel

New England’s continued reliance on natural gas generation for electric supply has proven problematic and costly during extreme weather events, such as heat waves and cold snaps.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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Four Reasons Why Now is the Time for Nonprofits to Go Solar

Renewable energy has become a mainstay of power generation across the nation and is continuing to grow rapidly, as states, municipalities, and organizations set ever more ambitious carbon reduction goals.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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The Inflation Reduction Act Changes the Game for Nonprofits and Local Governments

Hot off the heels of the Federal Infrastructure Bill and the CHIPS and Science Act, the newly passed Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed on August 12, 2022, is a nearly $400 billion legislative package that expands tax incentives and discounts for solar, electric vehicles and battery equipment, and other renewable energy resources.

By Julia Damiano read more Icon arrow
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Mass Fleet Advisor Program

Mass Fleet Advisor, sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, has been created to ease the transition to electric vehicles for medium- and heavy-duty private and commercial fleets in Massachusetts. The program provides free technical assistance to educate fleet owners about available electric vehicles and funding opportunities, as well as assisting them in planning their charging equipment and infrastructure needs.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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Understanding the Infrastructure Act

On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion piece of legislation with $550 billion in new spending, became law. To help you follow the money, the PowerOptions team has compiled the following list, outlining major upcoming grants included in the new law relating to your energy needs.

By Julia Damiano read more Icon arrow
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Massachusetts’ New Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan

On January 31, 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved a revised and reinvigorated Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan for the Commonwealth. The dense, almost 400-page order allocates nearly $4 billion in efficiency and demand reduction resources and paves the road for numerous programs set to run from 2022 through the end of 2024.

By Julia Damiano read more Icon arrow
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Delay of MOPR Elimination Increasing Energy Costs

As in many states across the country, the clock is ticking on making the Commonwealth’s electric grid cleaner. Passed last year, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy requires that Massachusetts cut its carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. To accomplish this, millions of residents and businesses will need to be served by renewable energy sources within the decade.

By Julia Damiano read more Icon arrow
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Virtual Power Purchase Agreements

Several cities and nonprofit organizations have approached procurement in recent years is by participating in Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (Virtual PPAs or VPPAs) as a cost-effective way to meet carbon emission reduction goals.

By Liam Sullivan read more Icon arrow
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Community Choice Aggregation

Across the country Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), which allows cities and towns to buy electricity on behalf of residents and businesses, is being utilized as a key tool to help consumers address climate change by allowing communities to serve as an energy buyer for their constituents with the goal to provide more affordable and cleaner electricity.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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Comments to DPU on Utilities Phase II EV Program Filings

PowerOptions recognizes our Members’ need for an incentive program that provides essential financial support to help defray the upfront and ongoing costs associated with EV charging equipment and infrastructure. As part of our advocacy work, on September 14th PowerOptions offered the following comments to the Massachusetts Department of Utilities.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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Just The Road Ahead in Rhode Island

The Act on Climate, which was signed into law by Governor McKee in April 2021, has been hailed as the most influential environmental law ever passed in the Ocean State. It is one of several bills that became law this year that will create new opportunities for organizations to bring more clean energy and energy efficiency into their sustainability efforts in the years ahead.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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Massachusetts Climate Law Brings Opportunities and Incentives

Groundbreaking climate legislation has taken hold in New England. In the first half of the year, the Governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island signed bills that will move the two states towards net-zero emissions.

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
PowerOptions Strengthens Leadership to Drive Operational Excellence and Member Success
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PowerOptions Strengthens Leadership to Drive Operational Excellence and Member Success

Kristen Stelljes and Alanna Boyd Join PowerOptions  to Accelerate Energy Solutions for Nonprofits and Public Entities  BOSTON, MA – PowerOptions is pleased to announce the addition of Kristen Stelljes as Senior Vice President and Alanna Boyd as Director of Commodity and Member Relations. Both bring exceptional expertise, a strong dedication to community-focused initiatives, and a […]

By Jackie Renzi read more Icon arrow
Highland Electric Fleets and PowerOptions Partner to Provide School Bus Fleet Electrification to Schools, Municipalities, and Nonprofits in New England
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Highland Electric Fleets and PowerOptions Partner to Provide School Bus Fleet Electrification to Schools, Municipalities, and Nonprofits in New England

The agreement will make Highland’s full suite of school bus electrification services available to PowerOptions’ Members Boston and Beverly, MA – May 14, 2024 — PowerOptions, the largest energy consortium in New England, has selected Highland Electric Fleets, the leading provider of school bus electrification-as-a-service in North America, to deliver turnkey school bus fleet electrification […]

By Liam Sullivan read more Icon arrow
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10 Ways Your School Can Start Saving Energy Today

Schools use a lot of energy, and much of the time this is unavoidable. Computers, smart boards, lighting, heating and air conditioning are all vital in today’s schools. However, there are plenty of simple ways to save energy at school, which we outline here. These 10 creative ways to save energy at school balance practical […]

By PowerOptions Team read more Icon arrow
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