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Not surprisingly, in a globalized world, international tensions have powerful effects on efforts to electrify the grid here in the US. Attempts to isolate China by pressuring U.S. companies to abandon suppliers there threaten to undermine the transition to green energy at home.
Momentum in Congress is escalating to reimpose steep trade tariffs on solar technology from China in an effort to move supply chains onshore.
The outcome of this unfolding political drama could have major consequences — not just for solar energy companies, but also for homeowners hoping to add solar panels to their roofs, motorists wanting to charge electric vehicles with clean power and utilities trying to reduce their carbon footprints.
The momentum toward a solar future is real, however: witness the Department of Energy's recent deal to provide up to $3 billion to make distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar and energy storage available to disadvantaged communities. It’s the first time the office has provided a guarantee to a collection of small assets.
Here at home, our state government is starting to show real promise in tackling the transition to clean energy and fighting climate change. The Healey administration is launching two new commissions aimed at easing the transition to clean energy infrastructure in Massachusetts. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced the establishment of the two new entities: a commission to review clean energy siting and permitting, and an interagency council focused on offshore wind development.
The efforts to add new clean energy sources must also be matched by the impetus to shut down existing fossil fuel infrastructure. We're continuing to support the effort to shut down and/or transition Peaker Plants across the state, and we've joined other environmental groups in submitting comments on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Clean Heat Standard. A Clean Heat Standard would be run by environmental regulators, and would require companies that sell polluting fuels (primarily gas, oil, and propane) to change how they serve their customers or pay a fee into programs encouraging customers to adopt electric heating systems.
And in more positive news from our state government, following up from the completion of the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is interested in sharing additional resources about the assessment findings so that the assessment can be a useful and active tool for communities, organizations, and municipalities. These resources could be used to help strengthen local climate planning, to help make community members aware of climate impacts, to help them advocate for adaptation resources, or to aid in preparation of local grant applications for climate action, etc.
For even more environmental news, info, and events, check out the latest newsletter from our colleagues at Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)!
— The NFGiM Team
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