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Articles by Deb Pasternak
Don't let utilities hijack offshore wind
RECENT DISPUTES between offshore wind operators and Massachusetts regulators highlight how our clean energy future is far from guaranteed. The two projects in dispute, Commonwealth Wind and SouthCoast Wind (formerly Mayflower Wind), together with Vineyard Wind Project 1, make up 3.2 gigawatts of offshore wind energy Massachusetts has planned for 2030.
New England's last coal-fired power plant loses key revenue source
AN AUCTION for commitments to deliver electricity to the New England power grid three years from now provides two interesting clues about the region's energy future. First, New England's last active coal-fired generator, Merrimack Station in Bow, New Hampshire, failed to qualify in the auction, suggesting its days may be numbered.
Electricity prices falling, but remain high
NATIONAL GRID said its price for basic service will plummet starting May 1 but still remain above levels from a year ago. Basic service is electricity National Grid buys on behalf of customers who choose not to select their own supplier. National Grid procures the electricity through a competitive bidding process and collects no markup from customers.
SouthCoast Wind keeps hedging on its viability
IS SOUTHCOAST WIND, the proposed wind farm off the Massachusetts coast previously known as MayFlower Wind, fully committed to the power purchase contract it agreed to with the state's utilities?
Offshore wind industry united on pricing adjustments
MASSACHUSETTS POLICYMAKERS may be split on whether offshore wind developers should be allowed to adjust the pricing in their existing power purchase agreements to cope with changing economic conditions, but there is no disagreement - within the industry at least - that adjustments should be permitted on future contracts.
Here's how we define competitiveness
IN RECENT WEEKS, leading business groups in Massachusetts have urged newly-elected Gov. Maura Healey to focus on the state's economic competitiveness. As current or former leaders of organizations that employ thousands of people in Massachusetts, we agree that making Massachusetts more competitive must be a top priority for state leaders.
When a discount isn't a discount
MOST OF US have negotiated a better price for ourselves at one time or another - online, with a local merchant, or as part of our job. Those selling an item we want set the opening bid - we counter with a lower offer. And so on. While every negotiation is different, they all share two things in common: first, both parties come to an agreement on a price, and second, that price is different-and presumably lower-than the original. But what if someone were negotiating on our behalf?
More renewables, not more gas, is our future
At 4:30 p.m. on a bitter, cold Christmas Eve 2022, New England's power grid operator ISO-NE declared a capacity deficiency after gas and oil generators used during times of peak demand failed to provide sufficient energy. The failure pushed our regional power grid to the brink and put residents at risk of blackouts. Over two hours passed before ISO-NE resolved the deficiency. In that time, energy prices soared and the weaknesses of our energy system were revealed.
Correcting the record on decarbonization
A RECENT COMMENTARY, Decarbonization road map has some gaping holes by Arnold J. Wallenstein, argues that Massachusetts must scale back its efforts to decarbonize its energy system. Unfortunately, the piece relies upon incomplete assumptions while making glaring omissions about the viability of clean energy.
Fair share for the fossil fuel industry
RIGHT NOW, the fossil fuel industry is booming. A recent Reuters report said that Exxon Mobil made record annual profits in 2022, raking in $55.7 billion, exceeding its previous record of $45.2 billion in 2008. In 2018, the top 200 oil, gas, and mining companies had a combined revenue of $8 trillion - more than double Canada's GDP. And those same companies are sitting on $20 trillion worth of untapped reserves. The Paris Agreement's emissions reduction targets haven't come to fruition.
Letter To The Editor: Sierra Club Weighs-In On Nantucket Public Schools Athletic Fields Project
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club has been leading efforts to address the interrelated issues of climate change, toxics and plastic pollution. The Sierra Club was founded on promoting outdoor activities in nature. However, we do not support the growing trend to install artificial turf athletic fields and related synthetic surfaces. First, we can’t keep fossil fuels in the ground if we keep using them for plastics and other petrochemicals.
Major Offshore Wind Farm Gets Final Green Light
By Mary Anne Hitt and Deb Pasternak March 11, 2021 The Block Island wind project in Rhode Island, 2019. Photo courtesy of Mary Anne Hitt The good news coming from the Biden administration has been very uplifting so far. It’s a joy to see strong actions being taken on climate and clean energy once again. This week’s great news came in the form of a final step for a new offshore wind farm in Massachusetts.
Enviros tell Kennedy to stay where he is - CommonWealth Magazine
RECENT NEWS REPORTS have suggested that US Rep. Joe Kennedy III is seriously considering challenging Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. We are writing to say, in no uncertain terms, and in no disrespect to the congressman, that this is the wrong time for an intra-party challenge. First off, it has been clear that Markey has been a pivotal leader when it comes to climate change, and arguably has one of the most important roles to play in a very narrow window of time to advance climate action.
Quebec hydro isn’t a good fit for Mass.
submitted long-term hydro electricity supply contracts to the Department of Public Utilities for review recently. The Massachusetts Sierra Club believes strongly that these contracts are not the right way to get the regional clean energy we all need. Here are four reason why importing electricity from Quebec via a transmission line into Maine built by Central Maine Power is not the right way to go: Massachusetts is at an important crossroads in terms of our energy future.
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