Blog

On February 23, 2021, the City of Boston hosted an open house to review its forthcoming emissions performance standard that will set limits on emissions from energy use in existing large- and medium-sized buildings. This policy is a key strategy for meeting the city’s 2050 goal of carbon neutrality. Existing buildings are responsible for three-quarters of citywide emissions in Boston. Three other U.S. cities have adopted building performance standards—Washington DC, New York City, and St.

Last month, the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) announced a plan to stop burning coal by 2027 at the Stanton Energy Center. This plan is a pivotal first step to Orlando meeting its 2050 commitment to 100% renewable energy. The leadership of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and on-the-ground advocacy efforts by the First 50 Coalition (armed with expert analysis performed by Synapse Energy Economics) were critical in catalyzing this announcement and commitment by the OUC.

The decisions passed down by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or FERC) can have resounding impacts on U.S. electricity markets. A December 2019 FERC ruling is a reminder of this, and is likely to profoundly affect energy markets in the 13 states comprising the PJM Interconnection – a service area spanning from Illinois to New Jersey and from Michigan to North Carolina. FERC’s December 19 ruling directed PJM to substantially expand its Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) to most state-subsidized power generation resources that bid in capacity market auctions.

Beginning the week of March 15, many throughout New England have been living with emergency orders relating to COVID-19. Generally speaking, these orders limit gatherings, non-essential workforces, school openings, and on-site consumption of food and drink. In effect, these orders mean that many New Englanders are staying at home during most or all times of the day.