RENEW’s comments in response to Maine PUC’s NOI on procurement of transmission and renewable energy for northern Maine
Subject: Docket 2021-00223 – Comments on Notice of Inquiry
The Maine Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and RENEW Northeast (RENEW) jointly submit the attached comments in response to the Commission’s August 4, 2021…
Letter to Dept. of Commerce in opposition to the imposition of duties on imports of solar products
Subject: Imposition of duties on imports of solar products from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam Secretary Raimondo: RENEW Northeast, Inc. (“RENEW”)1 submits these comments in opposition to the imposition of duties on imports of solar products from Malaysia, Thailand,...
RENEW Northeast Statement: In Today’s Heat Wave, Renewable Energy and Storage Can Meet Peak Electricity Demands
August 12, 2021 In Today's Heat Wave, Renewable Energy and Storage Can Meet Peak Electricity Demands During this heat wave, New England has been burning dirty and costly coal and oil around the clock each day to generate electricity at peak hours. This is no longer...
Testimony to the Massachusetts General Court, Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Testimony of Francis Pullaro, Executive Director, RENEW Northeast Chairmen Barrett and Roy and members of the Committee, My name is Francis Pullaro. I am the Executive Director of RENEW Northeast (RENEW), an association uniting environmental advocates and developers...
Testimony in support of allocating $100 million of ARPA funds to facilitate economic development activity for the offshore wind industry through port development
Testimony of Francis Pullaro, Executive Director, RENEW Northeast Chairmen Michlewitz, Rodrigues, and Hunt and Members of the Committees, My name is Francis Pullaro. I am the Executive Director of RENEW Northeast, which is a non-profit association uniting the...
INTERVIEW: Connecticut’s IRP lags on energy storage procurements. Will pending bill respond?
Key Capture Energy NY 1 Project, 20 MW, Saratoga County, NY. Photo courtesy of Key Capture Energy. Connecticut’s General Assembly is considering legislation to deploy 1,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, allowing for competitive procurements that would include...
RENEW Northeast Statement on US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Record of Decision for Vineyard Wind
“Today’s Record of Decision by BOEM comes with a feeling of elation for citizens, companies, environmentalists, and communities invested in a sustainable future for Massachusetts and for the nation,” said Francis Pullaro, Executive Director of RENEW Northeast, a...
CT Mirror: Connecticut should accelerate energy storage deployment to benefit consumers and the environment
Key Capture Energy NY 1 Project, 20 MW, Saratoga County, NY. Photo courtesy of Key Capture Energy. The Connecticut General Assembly is considering legislation – Senate Bill 952 – to ensure deployment of 1,000 megawatts of energy storage capacity by the end of 2030 –...
FERC Should Adopt NEPOOL ORTP Alternative
Proposal benefits consumers and the renewable energy industry Subject: ISO New England’s (ISO or ISO-NE) triennial recalculation of Offer Review Trigger Prices (ORTP) starting with Forward Capacity Auction (FCA) 16 to be run in February 2022 for the capacity...
Broad Coalition Applauds Biden Administration Offshore Wind Moves, Signaling United Support for Responsible Development
Contacts:Joe Martens, Director, New York Offshore Wind Alliance, (518) 300-0945, jmartens@aceny.orgEvan Vaughan, Deputy Director, MAREC Action, (202) 431-4640, evaughan@marec.usFrancis Pullaro, Executive Director, RENEW Northeast, (646) 734-8768, fpullaro@renew-ne.org...
CT Raised Bill 6498 Discourages Solar Investment & Raises Costs
Testimony of RENEW Northeast before the Environment Committee in Opposition to Raised Bill 6498 An Act Concerning the Siting of Certain Solar Facilities on Farmlands and Core Forests March 19, 2021 Co-Chairs Cohen and Gresko, Ranking Members Miner and Harding, and...
Governor Baker: Sign the Climate Bill into Law
On behalf of the business and non-profit members of RENEW Northeast, I write to commend your Administration for giving the critical task of climate change mitigation the attention and resources it deserves. Under your leadership, Massachusetts has made important decisions, starting with your major commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth by 2050.
Climate legislation makes sure Massachusetts will be at the forefront of reaping the benefits of offshore wind
Statement from Francis Pullaro, Executive Director, RENEW Northeast RE: Massachusetts’ House and Senate Adoption of An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.2995) “For developers of offshore wind projects, this legislation sends a...
In Big Win for New England Ratepayers, NEPOOL Takes Major Step to Recognize Low Cost of Renewable Generation
Proposal valuing renewables in capacity market auctions now moves to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Madison, Connecticut. December 3, 2020 RENEW Northeast, Inc. (RENEW), a leading regional renewable energy organization governed by both environmental and industry...
High ISO/CEA Offshore Wind Cost Explained
NEPOOL Participant, Thank you for your support last month of what it is now the NEPOOL Markets Committee recommended proposal that contains RENEW’s pro-consumer amendments for renewable energy resource participation in the ISO New England capacity market. In an update...
“Just the Facts” Campaign to Bring Attention to Regional Benefits of Renewable Energy
For Immediate Release Madison, Connecticut. November 17, 2020. RENEW Northeast, a leading regional renewable organization governed by both environmental and industry interests today launched a “Just the Facts” campaign designed to educate the public on renewable...
NEPOOL Markets Committee Recognizes Low Cost of Renewable Generation
Adopts RENEW Northeast amendments valuing renewables in capacity market auctions. Result will be lower costs to New England ratepayers.RENEW praises the NEPOOL Markets Committee on passing four RENEW amendments today that will allow renewable power projects to compete...
Massachusetts Businesses Urge Governor Baker to Support Lower Costs for Consumers in ISO New England Market
A coalition of the leading Massachusetts business associations submits the attached letter to Governor Baker to ask respectfully for his support for the full participation of renewable energy in all ISO New England electricity markets. ISO’s proposed exclusion of most...
ISO New England Capacity Proposals to Force Consumers to Pay Twice for Capacity
New England consumers have this fall a golden opportunity to ensure renewable energy generation can fully participate in wholesale electricity markets run by grid operator ISO New England (ISO). Despite New England consumers’ paying for utility contracts with...
RENEW Northeast submits brief to FERC on NE ISO FCM Rate Lock
RENEW Northeast submits initial brief to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) commenting on why the ISO New England Tariff's Forward Capacity Market rate lock, in which a new resource can lock in for seven years the capacity price it receives in its first...
BOEM-2020-0005 – Vineyard Wind 1, Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Program Manager Office of Renewable Energy Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 45600 Woodland Road (VAM-OREP) Sterling, Virginia 20166 RENEW Northeast, Inc. (RENEW) (1) submits these comments on the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Supplement to the Draft...
Letter to the Editor: Supporting Offshore Wind
Letter to the Editor: New Haven Register After nearly a decade of public input, studies and review, we are on the brink of realizing the vast economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind off the coast of New England. The federal agency responsible for the...
Federal Public Hearings Conclude with Overwhelming Support for Offshore Wind
Over 85% of participants, representing diverse interests, speak in favor of offshore wind.For Immediate ReleaseMadison, Connecticut. July 22, 2020.RENEW Northeast (RENEW), a leading regional renewable organization governed by both environmental and industry interests...
Federal Public Engagement Process Reveals Broad Public Support for Vineyard Wind and Offshore Wind Power Development
Business, Academia and Environmental Leaders Urged to Take Part in BOEM’s Public Comment Period to Express SupportFor Immediate Release Madison, Connecticut. July 8, 2020. - RENEW Northeast, a leading regional renewable organization...
BOEM Testimony – Francis Pullaro
My name is Francis Pullaro and I am the Executive Director of RENEW Northeast or RENEW. RENEW is a non-profit association uniting environmental advocates and the renewable energy industry whose mission involves coordinating the ideas and resources of its members with...
Offshore Wind Law Change Could Promote More Local Economic Development
RENEW supports the Massachusetts legislature taking action in the current budget debate to eliminate the requirement in Section 83C of the Energy Diversity Act that the price in subsequent procurements of offshore wind be lower than the cost of offshore wind...
Renewable Energy Developers Place Massive $400 Million Down Payment on Offshore Wind for New England
RENEW Northeast congratulates the renewable energy companies that today secured leases from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for development of offshore wind generation off southern New England. The three leases are for 390,000 acres of ocean surface that...
RENEW Protest to FERC Explains ISO Bias Against Renewables in Capacity Market
In a protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, RENEW Northeast explained how ISO New England’s proposal to give a no-bid contract to the Mystic 8 and 9 fossil fuel generation units will provide “undue” preference, advantage and prejudice prohibited by the...
RENEW Comments on the Second Maine Resource Integration Study
At the ISO New England Planning Advisory Committee on September 27, 2018, RENEW Northeast will be providing feedback to ISO New England on the Second Maine Resource Integration Study that is based on RENEW's written comments.
RENEW Testifies at Connecticut Legislature for Changing Law Harmful to Utility-Scale Solar
RENEW Northeast submitted testimony to the Connecticut legislature's environmental committee in favor of amending a law passed last year that is having a chilling effect on developers seeking new sites for utility-scale solar projects in Connecticut. Under the law,...
Massachusetts Affirms Mistake to Make Ratepayers Subsidize Foreign Power Plants
Misses Opportunity to Invest in New, Clean Energy - RENEW is disappointed today that Massachusetts chose to affirm its decision to sign a long-term contract for existing provincially owned power in Quebec. The failure of Northern Pass provided a chance to revisit that...
Massachusetts Senate Bill to Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions Will Lead to the Development of Affordable, Renewable Energy and Add Jobs to the Clean Economy
RENEW Northeast praises Chairman Pacheco, Vice-Chairman Eldridge and the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change for releasing today visionary legislation to advance a significant deployment of new renewable energy sources. The bill’s...
New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee Prudently Rejects Northern Pass, Breathes New Life into Renewable Energy Proposals for New England
RENEW Northeast commends today’s decision of the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee to deny the application of the Northern Pass transmission line. This project and the associated energy from Hydro-Quebec, as the winning bidders out of last week’s Massachusetts...
Why Utility-Scale Solar Works for Connecticut
Connecticut has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, and in January they will increase even further. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will soon release the final version of its three-year Comprehensive Energy...
Rhode Island Rate Hike Due to New Fossil Fueled Generation Not Public Policies
In a Providence Journal op-ed, RENEW Northeast and the Rhode Island chapter of the Sierra Club explained how National Grid’s rate increase was caused by the retirement of one old dirty plant, driving up consumer prices to pay for new dirty plants. We urged that...
Connecticut Law Could Curb Solar Development
The Connecticut General Assembly has enacted Senate Bill No. 943, “An Act Concerning the Installation of Certain Solar Facilities on Productive Farmlands” that singles out the least-cost form of solar development by imposing a permitting process established for...
Unleash the Ocean Winds: 3 Signs that Offshore Wind Energy Has Arrived in the US
This post is by John Rogers who is a senior energy analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists and a director on the RENEW Northeast board. UPDATE (Dec. 16, 1:34 pm EST): The intense bidding is finally over! After a marathon session that spilled into a second day,...
Massachusetts Clean Energy Victory
This post is by John Rogers who is a senior energy analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists and a director on the RENEW Northeast board. A few minutes before midnight last night came the news that the Massachusetts legislature passed the omnibus energy bill that...
Wind Energy Experts Hold ‘Wind Think Tank’ in Maine
The brightest minds in the wind industry — among them, Sen. Angus King — are in town for a two-day American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) summit, discussing how to do wind better. The senator called alternative energy critical pieces to saving the earth....
Wind Industry Meets in Portland, Maine for AWEA Regional Conference
The Maine Renewable Energy Association (“MREA”) and RENEW Northeast (“RENEW”) are pleased to welcome the American Wind Energy Association’s Wind Energy Conference - Northeast to the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks on Tuesday, July 19, and Wednesday, July 20. “MREA and...
Massachusetts Poised to Adopt Clean Energy Legislation
The Massachusetts state legislature is considering a forward--looking bill to further reduce carbon emissions and clean up our air—something all residents deserve. A bi-partisan committee of three representatives and three senators has begun working on a compromise...
Rhode Island Governor Raimondo Signs Clean Energy Legislation
Governor Gina M. Raimondo, joined by Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, led a ceremonial bill signing of legislation that will enhance the state's renewable energy policies, create green jobs, and help move the state's energy sector...
Massachusetts energy bill advances without ratepayer savings
Amendment to HB 4377 would have boosted market competition BOSTON, June 8, 2016 — The energy bill passed today by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, HB 4377, lacks an amendment that would boost competition and make carbon emission reduction commitments more...
Offshore Wind Legislation Breezes through Massachusetts House
The Massachusetts House of Representatives enacted H.4377, which will require the state's utilities to solicit long-term energy contracts for 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind power in multiple procurements through the year 2027. State Rep. Antonio Cabral, D-New...
More competition in Massachusetts would mean more savings for consumers
A bill before the Massachusetts legislature could further cut carbon emissions by building on reduction goals from previous successful procurements under the Green Communities Act. By tapping into more affordable clean energy, the state’s residents can look forward to...
Insufficient competition in proposed Mass. energy legislation a big risk to consumers
Penalizes lowest-cost generation options like land-based wind Boston, May 23, 2016 — Proposed legislation released by the Massachusetts House of Representatives today would reduce competition and severely limit greater access to low-cost, renewable energy resources,...
Massachusetts Urged to Boost Renewable Energy Targets
By Emily Norton and Francis Pullaro Massachusetts House leaders are currently drafting an omnibus energy bill to secure new supplies of electricity as much of the region’s fleet of aging nuclear, coal, and oil power plants are now set to retire. Any proposed energy...
New York Should Adopt New England’s Successful Policies of Contracts for Renewable Energy
In comments filed with the New York Public Service Commission, RENEW Northeast urged New York to switch from the current NYSERDA budget-based procurement model of renewable energy certificates (RECs) to a target-based system solely of electric utility contracting for...
New Mass. Coalition of Nonprofit & Business Group Launch Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions (ACES)
Leading Regional Organizations Combine Forces to Support Long-Term Policies that Will Create Clean, Affordable and Reliable Energy. Boston, April 26, 2016. Nearly 20 environmental, clean energy industry, business, consumer, and health groups announced the creation of...
RENEW Congratulates Abby Krich for Rising Star Award
The New England Women in Energy and the Environmental (NEWIEE) recognized Abby Krich, founder and president of Boreas Renewables, with its Rising Star Award at the organization's 2016 Awards Gala on April 14, 2016. Abby specializes in helping generation developers...
Reducing Reliance on Natural Gas through Renewable Energy
A recently issued report by RENEW board member the Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed electricity proposals now being debated in the Massachusetts legislature on the increased use of wind (both land- based and offshore) and hydroelectric power. The report...
How Low-Cost Can U.S. Offshore Wind Go? New Study Looks at the Power of Scale in Massachusetts
This post is by John Rogers who is a senior energy analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists and a director on the RENEW Northeast board. The effects of a state committing to offshore wind power at scale and over time, it turns out, are pretty impressive. A new...
Speakers Debate Massachusetts Clean Energy Legislation
Speakers at the EUCI US/Canada Cross-Border Power Summit on March 15, 2016, debated New England energy policies including pending legislation in Massachusetts on the procurement of clean energy resources, as reported by RTO Insider, "Market Policies, Emissions Goals...
RENEW Supports ISO New England Interconnection Process Improvements
RENEW Northeast submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in support of ISO New England’s filing requesting approval of Interconnection Process Improvements that will reduce the time needed to complete the Interconnection Studies for wind and...
Is Your State Betting Too Much on Natural Gas for Electricity? A New UCS Analysis Takes a Look
This post is by John Rogers who is a senior energy analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists and a director on the RENEW Northeast board. Alongside photos of the local apple festival and headlines about the school budget, recently the front page of my small...
RENEW Supports ISO New England Rule Changes Benefiting Renewable Energy
On April 15, 2015, ISO New England submitted tariff revisions for the dispatch of certain wind and hydro resources, which are classified as Intermittent Power Resources under the market rules, using Do Not Exceed Dispatch Points. RENEW Northeast submitted comments on...
RENEW Urges Support for Existing Maine Renewable Energy Standard
RENEW submitted testimony on March 19, 2015, to the Maine Energy, Utilities & Technology Committee opposing changes to Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) that will allow large Canadian hydropower to qualify. This proposed change effectively overlooks...
RENEW Testifies in Favor of Increasing Renewable Energy for Rhode Island
On January 29, 2015, RENEW testified before the Rhode Island House Committee on Corporations in support of extending Rhode Island’s Renewable Energy Standard beyond the current goal of 16 percent by 2019. In calling for 1.5 percent annual increases from 2020 to 2035,...
RENEW Protests Market Rule Changes Harmful to Renewable Energy
On August 4, 2014, RENEW submitted a protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning ISO New England's compliance filing involving changes to the design of its Forward Capacity Market known as pay for performance. The ISO's proposed tariff will...
RENEW Offers Model to Promote Development of New York’s Wind Resources
Following the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) July 1, 2014, supply-side resources Stakeholder Roundtable discussion, RENEW recommended the state move from a model of central procurement for renewable energy certificates (“RECs”) to...
New England Wind Has Potential to Reduce Electricity Costs by $1 Billion Per Year
In March 2013, an interim update from ISO New England calculated the annual wholesale electricity cost to consumers (LSE Energy Expense) with 892 MW of wind on the system, which is very close to what is installed today and estimated to produce about 2510 GWh/year, to...
Massachusetts Legislation Aims to Secure Gigawatts of Clean Energy Resources
On April 8, 2014, RENEW testified on House Bill No. 3968, An Act relative to clean energy resources, before the Massachusetts General Court’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. The legislation enables Massachusetts to participate in the...
Governor Malloy Signs Law to Bring Affordable Clean Energy to Connecticut
Governor Dannel P. Malloy today signed legislation that will implement the state's first ever Comprehensive Energy Strategy. The new law, Public Act 13-303, will expand the benefits of affordable renewable energy for Connecticut electricity customers. In conjunction...
New England Initiative Can Lead To Integration Of Large Quantities Of Wind Power
The New England states are considering whether to expand large hydropower imports into New England with the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) anticipating submitting a report on possible options to New England’s governors by the end of the year....
RENEW Members Speak at Connecticut Energy Forum
At the June 12th meeting of the Connecticut Power & Energy Society, several RENEW members participated in a panel discussion on the role of wind power in Connecticut's energy future. The panelists discussed recent legislation in Connecticut and Massachusetts...
Connecticut Promotes New, Affordable Renewable Energy in the State and New England
Renewable Energy New England, Inc., (RENEW) applauds Governor Dannel Malloy for supporting new statutory provisions that will expand the benefits of affordable renewable energy for Connecticut electricity customers. Those provisions, included in larger energy...
Windpower Benefits Rhode Island Environment and Economy
At a program sponsored by the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI), RENEW’s Executive Director, Francis Pullaro, explained how increasing wind energy production in Rhode Island on land and in its ocean waters can benefit the state’s environment and economy....
AWEA, RENEW Applaud New England Governors’ Resolution to Procure Renewable Energy
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and its regional partner, Renewable Energy New England (RENEW), applauded the New England Governors’ Conference for unanimously passing a resolution to coordinate regional renewable energy procurement and directing the...
RENEW Urges DEEP to Replace Retiring Fossil Fuel Plants with Renewables
RENEW and the Conservation Law Foundation jointly filed comments with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on its draft 2012 Integrated Resource Plan. In our comments we urge DEEP in its final draft to better protect ratepayer...
Independent Expert Panel Finds Wind Turbines Pose No Health Risk
Following the release of a report by an independent expert panel that was tasked by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to review potential health concerns related to wind turbines,...
Support the American Renewable Energy PTC Extension Act of 2011
Help extend the wind industry’s top policy driver, the federal production tax credit (PTC), for four years. Encourage your representative to cosponsor H.R. 3077, The American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act of 2011. America needs homegrown energy...
Expansion of Renewable Energy Procurements Equals Savings
RENEW urged the Massachusetts General Court's Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to raise utility procurements of renewable energy pursuant to the Green Communities Act of 2008 from a minimum of 3 percent to at least 9 percent of utility...
RENEW Urges Sensible Wind Siting Reform in Massachusetts
Significant barriers to the siting of wind turbines are holding back Massachusetts' ability to capitalize on economic development opportunities explain the New England Clean Energy Council and RENEW in an opinion piece in the Cape Cod Times. The Massachusetts...
Massachusetts Wind Siting Reform Bills Will Increase Wind Development and Maintain Local Control
RENEW’s Executive Director testified in Barnstable before the Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy in favor of the wind siting reform bills (H1775 and S1666 and H1759). The legislation will set permitting standards...