Latest news with #RebeccaTepper
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mass. solar industry still seeing bright days, but says ‘Big Beautiful Bill' will cast a shadow
WEST SPRINGFIELD — President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act threw shade on Massachusetts' solar power development just weeks after energy from the sun saved the state's electric ratepayers $8 million on one very hot, very sunny day. 'It is the cheapest and the fastest way to bring energy into the state,' Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in an interview. She added that red states — like Florida and Texas — are embracing solar, as well. 'It's a really bipartisan and really popular way of producing energy,' Tepper said. On July 7, after the domestic policy bill was passed, Trump followed up with an executive order declaring his intention to 'rapidly eliminate the market distortions and costs imposed on taxpayers by so-called 'green' energy subsidies.' The sunny day Tepper uses as a counterexample was June 24, when high demand — for air conditioning on what felt like a 110-degree day — matched with high production from solar panels. That meant there was more available power from behind-the-meter photovoltaic systems in households or businesses, and the system didn't need to tap expensive peak power, said Elizabeth Mahony, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, citing data from Holyoke-based ISO New England. But with a popular 30% federal tax credit for solar systems ending Jan. 1, local installers are fielding calls from homeowners anxious to get in on the deal while they can. Installers themselves eye an uncertain future. 'I think the long-term impact is that it is going to set the solar industry back some,' said Michael Hempstead, president and owner of Valley Solar headquartered in Easthampton. 'There are going to be job losses. There will be contraction.' The think tank Energy Innovation Policy and Technology forecasts a 1.8-gigawatt decrease in generation capacity in Massachusetts because of the measures in the reconciliation bill. That includes a 1.4-gigawatt decrease in solar capacity. An average conventional power plant is about 2 gigawatts. Households in Massachusetts will face significantly increased energy costs, Energy Innovation said. It finds $100 annual increases in household energy bills by 2030 and $120 by 2035. Energy Innovation also forecasts $8.3 billion in gross domestic product lost by 2035 in Massachusetts and 6,300 job losses here by 2030. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center said there are about 115,000 clean energy workers in the state. With 30 employees, Valley Solar is the largest independent photovoltaic contractor in Western or Central Massachusetts. Hempstead's done the math, and without the 30% federal tax credit, the estimated five to six years it would take a $20,000-to-$40,000 solar system to earn back its investment now will take seven to eight years. ISO estimates that production from small-scale solar installations across New England is expected to grow by two thirds over the next 10 years. Electricity costs also will go up. 'So if energy tends to keep going the way they have been, we still feel bullish about the future of solar in Massachusetts,' Hempstead said. But, he said solar projects still will get canceled in the wake of Trump's bill. 'The impact of that is going to drive electric prices up even more,' he said. BlueWave, a solar developer that last year opened a utility-sized project in Palmer designed to allow cows to graze in its shade, said the end of renewable subsidies will increase costs at a time when affordability is already a challenge. Federal tax credits for green energy projects last for just two more years. 'By increasing the cost of capital for solar and wind projects, the bill undermines the sources of energy that stand ready to deploy quickly to meet growing electricity demand,' BlueWave Chief Development Officer Mike Marsch said. 'States can fill part of the gap left by the federal government by working to remove barriers to deployment and drive down the soft costs of solar.' Mahony said the state's SMART 3 solar incentive program is careful to connect subsidies to the cost to ratepayers, while guaranteeing developers an income over 10 or 20 years. The SMART 3 program incentivizes solar projects on the built environment, such as rooftops and capped landfills. 'We are hyperfocused on making sure that we can build projects in the next two years, according to the timelines of this bill,' Mahony said. But no state can completely fill the gap left by the retreating federal government. 'We've been talking to developers. ... They really don't know yet,' Mahony said. 'People taking stock and looking at their pipeline of projects. What can we do to make Massachusetts the place where they can spend their precious resources?' Valley Solar is branching out, Hempstead said. It's launching a new service, remotely monitoring solar systems — even those installed by others — as well doing repairs on systems that it didn't install. That way, Valley Solar will take advantage as competitors are squeezed out of business. 'We recognize this is a real need in the market,' he said. Stories by Jim Kinney Northampton gives up on stalled Calvin deal, puts liquor license back into circulation Mercy Medical Center nurses ratify contract; raises they say will help patient care Actor, advocate, author Ed Begley Jr. to speak about his 'wild man' days at Springfield event Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amherst receives grant funds to protect town drinking water
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The town of Amherst is one of five communities in Massachusetts that received funding from the Healey administration through the Drinking Water Supply Protection program. The Healey administration announced on Friday that the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will provide over $1 million in grant funding to protect drinking water resources in the state. Five cities and towns were selected to receive funds, allowing these communities to purchase land to maintain the safety and quality of drinking water for residents. Two Springfield golf courses receive $6M in clubhouse upgrades 'This funding is a critical step in ensuring that our communities have access to safe, clean drinking water,' said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. 'By investing in land protection, we are not only safeguarding our vital water resources but also enhancing the quality of life for residents who rely on these resources for health and recreation.' All land secured through funds from the Drinking Water Supply Protection Program will be designated protected open space under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. The town of Amherst was awarded $218,820 in grant funds to purchase an over 50-acre wooded property in Pelham. The purchase of this property, adjacent to designated Watershed Protection Land, will protect designated Zone A surface water that contributes to the Pelham Reservoir System. Approximately one-third of Amherst's drinking water comes from the reservoir system, and it will now receive greater protection and directly benefit public health. Other communities receiving grant funds through the program are Haverhill, Falmouth, Amesbury, and Cambridge. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Small nuclear reactors could be built in Massachusetts if Healey's energy bill passes
Gov. Maura Healey has unveiled new legislation that aims to save residents $10 billion on utility bills, in part by bringing more energy into the state. And one of the ways she's proposing to do that is by putting nuclear power back on the table in Massachusetts. The governor's bill would "allow for advanced nuclear development and deployment," her office says, and proposes consideration of small modular reactors "that could improve reliability, stabilize prices, and decarbonize region's power grid." "We've got new, innovative, very safe ways to do nuclear," Healey said at a press conference on Tuesday. Nuclear power in Massachusetts If the bill passes, it would repeal a 1982 law that requires any new nuclear facility in Massachusetts to get approval from a statewide ballot initiative. The administrations says eight of 14 states that had similar nuclear moratoriums have since moved to fully or partially lift those limitations. "We're proposing that the state take a look at nuclear," Energy and Environmental Affairs Sec. Rebecca Tepper said. "We're not talking about sort of your old-school nuclear power plant. What we're talking about is cutting edge, small-scale nuclear technology." The only nuclear power plant in Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, shut down permanently in 2019 after 47 years of generating electricity. The administration says the bill could save utility customers $10 billion over 10 years. Healey also stresses it's more important than ever for Massachusetts to build its own energy supply from different sources. "The Trump administration has not been favorable toward wind," Healey said. "But we're moving ahead with everything. I know members of the Trump administration support nuclear, for example." Small nuclear reactors Last year, tech giants Amazon and Google said they are also pursuing nuclear technology to help power artificial intelligence, which requires a lot of energy. The small modular reactors, which Google hopes to have online by 2030, generate about a third of the power that traditional reactors do, but they can be built faster and at a lower cost. They still produce hazardous waste, but instead of fuel roads they use fuel "pebbles" that are about the size of golf balls. At least one nuclear safety expert is skeptical that this new technology will work out. "There's only one problem with small modular reactors: They don't really exist," George Washington University professor Sharon Squassoni said in a recent CBS Sunday Morning interview. "I think they're going to find out pretty quickly that it takes way too long and it's way too expensive."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eversource plans heft monthly charge for customers who opt out of smart meter
After a long, cold winter that resulted in sky-high energy bills for many Massachusetts residents, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced it is filing a comprehensive energy bill that will save ratepayers $10 billion over 10 years. Governor Maura Healey announced The Energy Affordability, Independence & Innovation Act at a press conference held at Leominster's Veterans Services building. The Governor said key reforms include eliminating and reducing certain electrical bill charges, furthering accountability for utilities on billing and reducing barriers to 'cutting edge nuclear technologies.' What's that charge for? We're breaking down your utility bills At the same time, Eversource announced it will begin rolling out Smart Meters this summer. Those meters will replace induction devices, which measure electricity use by the speed of a metal wheel that responds to differences in amperage. Induction meters have been in use for more than 130 years and are still considered a cheap and effective way to monitor energy consumption. One drawback to the meters: they have to be physically read. The new Smart Meters will use Wi-Fi to remotely transmit energy usage information in real time. Other advantages include the automatic relay of outage information and more accurate billing. Massachusetts is late to the game with Smart Meters, with many states adopting their use in recent years. 'All across the country people have already rolled out these meters and people are really enjoying them and understanding they can help them save money on their electric bills,' said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. 'I think people will really be able to save money on their bills by being able to have better control over their electric use and when they use it.' But critics of Smart Meters warn that with their reliance on Wi-Fi, the devices are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats that could result in the stealing of an enormous amount of personal data. And the roll-out is costly. Eversource, which services nearly 1.5 million Massachusetts electric customers, plans to recoup cost of installing the SmartMeters over a period of about six years. Customers have already begun paying for the new technology, in fact, at a rate of about $1.75 a month. That amount could rise as the replacement program gets underway — but a source tells Boston 25 News the charges will remain below $5 a month. Customers who don't want the remote technology can opt out. But manual reading will cost $34 a month, Eversource said — and the utility will charge a one-time service fee of $42. 'All across the country we're using these devices without any problems,' said Tepper. 'And to the extent that there are any issues we're going to address them.' Dave Keating of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) said issues are inevitable because Eversource is not using licensed electricians to install the Smart Meters. 'A lot of these homes are old and the meter sockets worn,' Keating said. 'If you just pop them out, there's a very good chance of them breaking, sparking, arcing.' Keating said that could result in a fire. But Eversource tells Boston 25 News that because no wires are involved in the installation of the Smart Meters, licensed electricians are not needed. However, the company said it will employ licensed electricians in the event technicians run into situations in which wires are involved. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
$800K awarded for dam removal, coastal wetlands restoration projects in Mass. Here's the list
Massachusetts has awarded $839,288 in grants to support 'priority' restoration projects for rivers and coastal wetlands in eight communities, state officials said this week. The projects will 'strengthen resilience to climate change, improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and restore wildlife habitat,' Tepper said, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement on Monday. The projects, funded by the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration, focus on removing barriers in rivers and restoring coastal wetlands. 'Ecological restoration projects like these are important for preparing our communities for extreme weather, protecting our neighborhoods, and ensuring that wildlife has the habitats they need to survive,' Tepper said. 'Investing in these projects benefits us now and helps create a healthier environment for the future.' 'With every river, wetland, and stream restored, we have profound benefits for nature and people in Massachusetts,' said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O'Shea. 'Now is the time for action—we are proud to support tangible solutions to protect our state's irreplaceable biodiversity and help communities prepare for climate change. These critical projects will restore critical habitat for fish and wildlife and make our communities safer, healthier, and more beautiful." All eight projects are being awarded grants from the DER's Priority Projects Program, which supports wetland and river restoration projects that benefit the state's environment and economy. This work involves removing aging and unsafe dams, restoring freshwater wetlands that used to be cranberry farmlands, replacing and removing undersized and degrading culverts, and restoring coastal habitats, officials said. The state is awarding funding to the following eight 'priority' projects: Abbey Brook Restoration & Revitalization, City of Chicopee, $45,000: This award will provide additional support for the second phase of the Abbey Brook Restoration and Revitalization Project in Chicopee, which will ultimately remove two dams, replace an undersized culvert, and 'daylight' a 250-foot stretch of river that currently runs underground. This work will restore natural river processes, enhance water quality and stormwater management, and improve stream connectivity. Becker Pond Dam Removal, Town of Mount Washington, $86,000: This award will support construction for the Becker Pond Dam Removal Project in Mount Washington, which will remove an obsolete dam on an important cold water tributary of Schenob Brook. Frost Fish Creek Restoration, Town of Chatham, $5,288: This award will support planning and development for the Frost Fish Creek Restoration Project in Chatham, which will restore natural tidal exchange and stream flow to upstream salt marsh and an impounded former cranberry bog. This work will improve water quality and restore the health of the wetland within Frost Fish Creek, which is a part of the Pleasant Bay Area of Critical Concern. Kinne Brook Restoration, Town of Chester, $240,000: This award supports construction for the Kinne Brook Restoration Project in Chester, which will replace an undersized culvert on Kinne Brook Road and remove a collapsed culvert in the Hiram H. Fox Wildlife Management Area, ultimately eliminating two barriers to fish and wildlife passage on a Coldwater Fishery Resource. Old Swamp River Dam Removal, Town of Weymouth, $180,000: This award will support construction for the Old Swamp River Dam Removal Project in Weymouth, which will restore fish passage on a Coldwater Fishery Resource that historically supported a wild population of brook trout and currently provides critical spawning habitat for river herring. Sesuit Creek Restoration, Town of Dennis, $210,000: This award will support design and permitting, implementation, and post-planting assessment for the Sesuit Creek Restoration Project in Dennis. This project is restoring natural salt marsh vegetation and monitoring the restoration process of 57 acres of salt marsh after two severely undersized culverts were replaced in 2008 to restore tidal flow. Upper Bass River Restoration, Town of Yarmouth, $62,000: This award will support survey and design work for the Upper Bass River Restoration Project in Yarmouth as well as final design for a portion of the site. This project will restore 57 acres of former cranberry bogs and replace two undersized road-stream crossings to improve water quality, restore wetland and stream processes, improve fish passage, and increase coastal resilience. Windswept Cranberry Bog Wetland Restoration, Town of Nantucket, $11,000: This award will support post-construction monitoring for the Windswept Cranberry Bog Wetland Restoration Project in Nantucket, which is currently finishing construction and will restore 40 acres of wetlands on retired cranberry farmland and reconnect the wetland and trail system to a larger assemblage of 231 acres of open space. Once designated as a DER Priority Project, projects are eligible to apply for funding opportunities and receive technical support and services from DER. The projects awarded funding on Monday were chosen through a competitive process and include important restoration work, officials said. These awards are in addition to over $2 million granted to 17 projects in March, bringing the total of DER awarded funds for restoration Priority Projects in 2025 to over $2.8 million. 'DER is proud to support river and wetland restoration throughout the Commonwealth and work closely with our partners on these efforts,' said Division of Ecological Restoration Director Beth Lambert. 'Together, we increase climate resilience, reconnect important wildlife passage corridors, enhance critical habitat, and improve water quality and public safety.' State Senator Julian Cyr, D-Truro, said the funding is 'another strong investment in the environmental and economic future of the Cape and Islands.' 'Just take one look at the before-and-after pics from recent restoration projects and you see why this is so important,' Cyr said. 'In total, we're talking about hundreds of acres of revitalization between Nantucket, Yarmouth, Dennis, and Chatham.' State Senator Patrick M. O'Connor, R-Weymouth, said the grant 'will be crucial' in the continuance of the Old Swamp River dam removal. O'Connor noted the cultural significance that the herring run has within the Town of Weymouth. 'For years, many have gathered from across the South Shore to watch the herring run and keep the area well preserved for the enjoyment of all,' O'Connor said. 'With the removal of the dam that obstructs the river herring from spawning, among other things, this is an investment not just into wildlife conservation, but community preservation.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
