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By COLIN A. YOUNG

A recommendation from a task force the Legislature created a decade ago resurfaced last week before the Revenue Committee, which took testimony related to the machinations involved when a farm wants to use a portion of its land to generate both renewable electricity and supplemental income.

By CHRIS LARABEE

Beginning more than a decade ago and wrapping up in 2016, a wide-ranging coalition in western Massachusetts banded together to resist Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.’s Northeast Energy Direct project, which proposed a pipeline running through eight Franklin County towns.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Karen Chapman and Zack Kay of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission appeared before the Selectboard at its March 18 meeting to provide an annual report on the town’s status relative to a FY24 Green Communities grant.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In 2008, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Green Communities Act to support those communities throughout the commonwealth committed to reducing energy consumption, among other goals.

By MIKE LIVINGSTON

Bolstered transparency and a money back guarantee are a few of the ideas being floated by governors to smooth the path for energy projects in the face of growing power demands.

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The citizens group that formed in 2023 in opposition to a now-withdrawn proposal for a 105-megawatt battery storage facility has started a crowdfunding campaign to defray legal costs for the town, which is appealing the state attorney general’s rejection of a battery energy storage bylaw.

By CHRIS LARABEE

WARWICK — Thanks to the work of a dedicated team of volunteers over the last 17 years, Warwick residents were able to slash town energy use and pave a path forward for green energy, even in a town of just under 800 residents.

By JAMES BUCKSER

It’s getting cold in Massachusetts, and as the cost of living rises, some families will have trouble paying to keep their homes warm. One option they may not have considered is the Home Energy Assistance Program.“It’s a program that’s been available...

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

WENDELL — The Selectboard plans to appeal the state attorney general’s recent rejection of the town’s battery energy storage bylaw.During a Dec. 18 executive session, the Selectboard opted to contract with Springfield-based law firm Doherty Wallace...

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The citizens group that formed last year in opposition to a now-withdrawn proposal for a 105-megawatt battery storage facility held a virtual forum this week to shed light on local permitting and the role of municipal power in the wake of...

By MARA MELLITS

With the new climate and clean energy law changing the permitting process for solar and battery storage projects, western Massachusetts residents are left wondering how the regulations will impact their rural communities.“An act promoting a clean...

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — The past few weeks have been tough for climate activism, and longtime climate activist Bill McKibben, who makes his home in Vermont, is feeling the heat.This year will be the hottest year on record, breaking the record-setting temperatures...

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — A battery energy storage bylaw that voters overwhelmingly approved in May has been rejected by the state Attorney General’s Office for failing to comply with procedural safeguards embedded into state zoning laws.Wendell residents voted 100...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON – There is a clean energy bill sitting on Gov. Maura Healey’s desk and Beacon Hill’s calendar for this week includes an array of energy-related events and reports. But there are also mounting indications that the federal government could change...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Munching on goldenrod, white woodland aster, white clover, hairy vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, burdock and dandelions, more than 120 sheep are having much of their dietary needs met by a variety of grasses and plants growing at an 11-acre,...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

Another significant piece of legislation is ready to spring from protracted negotiations and onto the House and Senate floors for possible votes before the Nov. 5 elections.House and Senate Democrats announced a breakthrough Thursday morning on...

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — The Conservation Commission heard an initial development proposal Tuesday night for a 9-acre, 100-megawatt battery energy storage system on Rose Lane.While plans are in the very early stages, Granite Source Power’s Director of Development...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town officials have applied for a grant to begin work on an energy-efficient improvement to Town Hall.A $50,000 Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant would fund a portion of the design costs for a recommended upgrade included in an energy...

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — New Leaf Energy has nixed the controversial battery storage facility it had proposed for 68 Wendell Depot Road, and members of a local citizens’ committee formed in opposition to the project are ready to celebrate.No Assault & Batteries...

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — A Lowell-based developer of renewable energy and energy storage projects has pulled the plug on a controversial facility proposed for 68 Wendell Depot Road, citing changes in the interconnection process and the state Legislature’s failure to...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — The chances of the House and Senate reaching a stoppage time deal on clean energy permitting and other climate-related policies are slim, negotiators from both sides said shortly after midnight as the sniping and finger-pointing began.“I was...