massachusetts
Newsletter
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Offshore wind development faces mixed progress in the Northeast
A broken turbine blade in Massachusetts, a new wind project in New York, and New Jersey research illustrate the mixed progress in the Northeast’s offshore wind industry.
In short:
- A wind farm in Nantucket, Massachusetts was temporarily shut down due to a turbine blade collapse, prompting an extensive cleanup effort.
- New York launched its largest offshore wind project, Sunrise Wind, which will power around 600,000 homes.
- New Jersey allocated nearly $5 million for research to mitigate environmental impacts from planned offshore wind farms.
Key quote:
“We’re making progress in the debris recovery efforts and mobilizing even more resources on the island to hasten the cleanup as quickly as possible.”
— Klaus Moeller, CEO of Vineyard Wind
Why this matters:
Offshore wind farms are celebrated for their potential to provide vast amounts of clean energy, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. However, the collapse of a turbine blade raises questions about the structural integrity of these massive installations. Ensuring the durability and safety of wind turbines is paramount, not just for worker safety, but also to prevent environmental harm.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Jason Mavrommatis/Unsplash
New geothermal systems may be key to sustainable buildings
A new networked geothermal system in Framingham, Massachusetts, shows promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using the Earth's stable temperature to heat and cool buildings efficiently.
In short:
- Eversource Energy launched the first U.S. networked geothermal neighborhood in Framingham, utilizing geothermal heat pumps to serve 36 buildings.
- Geothermal systems provide a stable, efficient alternative to gas heating, with a “coefficient of performance,” or COP, of 6 compared to gas furnaces’ less than 1.
- The network's modular design allows for scalable implementation, potentially transforming utilities from gas suppliers to thermal energy providers.
Key quote:
“Every building sits on a thermal asset. I really don’t think there’s any more efficient or better way to heat and cool our homes.”
— Cameron Best, director of business development at Brightcore Energy
Why this matters:
Geothermal energy offers a sustainable solution to decarbonize buildings, a sector responsible for about a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Widespread adoption of this technology could significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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Credit: joegough/Big Stock Photo
Massachusetts town pilots geothermal heating and cooling system
A neighborhood in Framingham, Massachusetts, is implementing a pilot program to connect homes and businesses to a communal geothermal heating and cooling system.
In short:
- The new system aims to reduce energy bills by 20% on average for participants, despite switching from natural gas to electricity.
- The geothermal system uses an underground loop filled with water and antifreeze to transfer heat, with each home having a heat pump to regulate temperature.
- The project could serve as a model for similar initiatives, supported by local emissions laws and utility company Eversource’s net zero goals.
Key quote:
“As soon as they told me about it, I bought in 100%.”
— Jennifer Mauchan, local resident
Why this matters:
Adopting communal geothermal systems can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs. If successful, this model could be replicated in other communities, aiding broader efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable energy use.
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Massachusetts beachfront homeowners lose half-million-dollar sand dune to the sea
In a dramatic turn of events, a group of Salisbury, Massachusetts homeowners saw their expensive effort to protect their beachfront homes vanish within days.
In short:
- A costly sand dune, built by beachfront property owners in Salisbury, Massachusetts to guard against coastal erosion, was washed away in just 72 hours.
- Despite the dune's quick disappearance, the Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change claim it played a crucial role in preventing further damage from encroaching tides.
- The failure of the sand dune project highlights the broader issue of increasing coastal erosion, attributed to rising sea levels and more extreme weather due to climate change.
Key quote:
"Their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean gives them a source of moisture and their northern latitude also firmly places them under the powerful jet stream during much of the year."
— Jonathan Belles, digital meteorologist, The Weather Channel
Why this matters:
This incident not only illustrates the financial risks homeowners are willing to take to protect their properties but also serves as a microcosm for the larger, global challenges of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
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Credit: Grahame Jenkins/Unsplash
Massachusetts' offshore wind farm starts powering homes
Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S., has begun supplying power to the Massachusetts grid, marking a significant step in renewable energy.
In short:
- Vineyard Wind's initial five turbines are now operational, providing 68 megawatts of power, enough for about 30,000 homes.
- The project, when completed, will power more than 400,000 homes and businesses, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
- Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey highlights this as a pivotal moment in the transition to clean energy.
Key quote:
"Across Massachusetts, in 30,000 homes and businesses, when you turn on the light, you will now be using clean, affordable energy."
— Maura Healey, governor of Massachusetts
Why this matters:
This development moves Massachusetts toward a more sustainable future, possibly impacting national energy policies.
Be sure to read Peter Dykstra's 2022 piece highlighting the historical and ongoing resistance to clean energy initiatives, such as electric vehicles and rooftop solar.
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Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash
Massachusetts just took a big step away from natural gas. Which states might follow?
A first-in-the-country ruling sets Massachusetts on a path toward electrification of heating, and could lead regulators in other states to follow suit.
Solar installers and fire officials look for compromise on Massachusetts fire code
A group of Massachusetts solar installers are working with the state to modify fire codes that they say are too restrictive and are limiting the scale of residential solar arrays.
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