Massachusetts recently stepped closer to its first major solicitation for long-term energy storage contracts under its new Section 83E authority. On May 5, the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in partnership with the...more
5/22/2025
/ Batteries ,
Clean Energy ,
Comment Period ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Storage ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Public Utility ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Renewable Energy ,
Request for Proposals ,
State and Local Government ,
Utilities Sector
As a further update to our blog series on the landmark 2024 Massachusetts Clean Energy Bill, this post summarizes some changes to Massachusetts law affecting natural gas use. Previous posts addressed how the Clean Energy Bill...more
1/9/2025
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Clean Energy ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Infrastructure ,
Natural Gas ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Renewable Energy ,
Utilities Sector
In this Issue: Permitting Reform, the Supreme Court, EV’s, and Climate Week 2024 -
After nearly a decade as New York State’s environmental chief, I recently joined Foley Hoag to help the firm’s clients emerge as global...more
9/19/2024
/ Climate Change ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Electricity ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Projects ,
Energy Reform ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Renewable Energy ,
Utilities Sector
On August 29, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) issued a highly anticipated order approving the Electric Sector Modernization Plans (“ESMPs”) filed by the three Massachusetts electric distribution...more
On February 15, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) issued a much-anticipated order in docket D.P.U. 21-100 that finally promulgates regulations (220 CMR 18.00) to implement 2021 statutory changes...more
2/22/2024
/ Clean Energy ,
Climate Change ,
Energy Sector ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Renewable Energy ,
Solar Energy ,
State and Local Government ,
Tax Credits ,
Utilities Sector ,
Wind Power
On January 4th, as the legislative session came to a close, both houses of the Massachusetts legislature passed “An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy.” My colleague, Seth Jaffe, posted on...more
1/6/2021
/ Clean Energy ,
Electricity ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Net Zero ,
New Legislation ,
Offshore Wind ,
Renewable Energy ,
SMART ,
Solar Energy ,
State and Local Government ,
Utilities Sector ,
Wind Power
When the Massachusetts DPU opened docket DPU 20-75, I described it as a proposal to fundamentally change system planning and cost allocation in Massachusetts. The interconnection process in Massachusetts has been a perpetual...more
On October 22, the Massachusetts DPU issued an Order opening a new docket (DPU 20-75) that seeks comments on a proposal to shake up the way the electric distribution system is planned and paid for in Massachusetts. As I see...more
On July 2, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities launched an “Investigation into the Modernization of the Electric Grid – Phase Two.” In this investigation, the DPU will look again at deploying advanced...more
On October 3, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) opened a new docket (D.P.U. 17-146) to investigate two issues: whether energy storage systems paired with net metering facilities are eligible for...more
On December 23rd, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (the Department) issued an Order opening an investigation into electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging . That Order, issued the same day as the...more
On December 23rd, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued a straw proposal in docket 12-76 outlining a regulatory mechanism intended to advance modernization of the electric grid in Massachusetts. The...more
Last summer, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced an initiative to support municipalities, developers, and other stakeholders in improving the siting process for wind energy...more
In October, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities opened an investigation to explore policies that would enable Massachusetts to “take advantage of grid modernization opportunities.” ...more
Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an Order, D.P.U. 11-11-E, that addresses several controversies that had arisen out of its Order, D.P.U. 11-11-C, issued last summer. Although the Order...more