Catalyzing the Clean Energy Transition
Transitioning to clean energy will reduce consumer costs, increase reliability, secure energy diversity and independence, and create new jobs. We must develop massive amounts of clean energy infrastructure, from offshore wind and solar to energy storage and an upgraded transmission system. A successful clean energy transition will lower residents’ bills, provide them with reliable energy, and make their communities healthier.
ELM advocates for outcomes that further offshore wind development, increase grid reliability, build a diverse clean energy workforce and supply chain, and enable clean energy infrastructure development. Learn more about our legislative priorities for the clean energy transition.
RELATED DECISIONS:
JAN. 26, 2026 – A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction allowing Sunrise Wind, a project expected to power 600,000 New York homes, to resume construction. This marks the fifth consecutive court decision permitting one of the five offshore wind projects suspended under the federal government’s December 22 stop-work order to move forward.
In recent weeks, Vineyard Wind (MA), Revolution Wind (RI), Empire Wind (NY), and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (VI) have all secured similar rulings. These decisions mean that critical projects, including Vineyard Wind 1 here in Massachusetts, can continue building, allowing workers to return to job sites and preventing further delays to urgently needed clean energy generation.
However, these rulings are not final, and the federal government’s December 22 order is not dead. Developers’ legal challenges will now proceed, with courts evaluating the underlying legality of the suspension itself.
ELM, as the leader of the New England for Offshore Wind Coalition (NE4OSW), welcomes these injunctions as an important win for the rule of law, workers, and energy reliability. We urge the federal government to end its obstruction of offshore wind and allow these fully reviewed projects to move forward without further political interference.
2026
FEB. 27, 2026 – The Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed H.5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness, a sweeping bill aiming to reduce energy burdens on Massachusetts ratepayers. The legislation includes new authority for the Department of Energy Resources to procure additional wind and solar energy, expands opportunities for net-metered solar, supports energy storage deployment, and streamlines permitting for small residential solar projects. It also includes provisions to strengthen the grid, support offshore wind supply chain development, and allow municipalities to protect residents from predatory competitive energy suppliers.
However, the bill also proposes cutting $1 billion from the Mass Save energy efficiency program, one of Massachusetts’ most effective tools for lowering energy bills and reducing emissions.
ELM welcomes the progress made in the House bill to expand clean energy and protect ratepayers, and looks forward to working with the Senate to strengthen the legislation by restoring investment in Mass Save and ensuring Massachusetts continues to lead on affordability and climate solutions.
MAR. 6, 2026 – Massachusetts has finalized major reforms to the state’s energy infrastructure siting and permitting process. The updated framework, supported by ELM’s recommendations, creates a more predictable and streamlined approval process while strengthening protections for communities, environmental justice populations, and natural resources.
The new rules establish a consolidated permitting pathway with clearer timelines, require developers to proactively engage with host communities, and introduce cumulative impact analyses to help prevent additional burdens on already overburdened areas. The framework also incorporates science-based site suitability assessments and expands resources to help municipalities participate meaningfully in siting decisions.
ELM applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration for advancing these reforms, which will help Massachusetts deploy clean energy projects more efficiently while protecting communities and natural resources.
JAN. 26, 2026 – The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line began delivering Canadian hydropower into the New England grid, marking a major milestone for regional clean energy and reliability. Enabled by Massachusetts’ 2016 clean energy procurement law, NECEC faced years of legal and political setbacks before finally reaching operation.
The line is capable of delivering up to 1,200 megawatts of firm hydropower, with contracts providing 1,090 megawatts and supplying nearly 20% of Massachusetts’ electricity during most of the year. Massachusetts expects the project to deliver $3.38 billion in net economic benefits over the life of the contracts and reduce customer bills by roughly $50 million annually. The project has already resulted in lower wholesale energy prices in Maine, where the line connects into the ISO-New England grid.
ELM applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration and regional partners for completing NECEC and bringing stable, affordable clean power to Massachusetts. This demonstrates that smart policy and persistence can deliver real savings for ratepayers while strengthening New England’s energy future.
DEC. 9, 2025 – A federal judge has overturned President Trump’s January 20, 2025 executive order that blocked wind energy permitting on federal lands and waters, ruling that the sweeping halt was unlawful. This decision follows lawsuits led by a coalition of attorneys general, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and removes a major barrier that has slowed offshore wind development across the country.
For New England, the ruling could help ensure a clearer path forward for projects already under construction. However, industry leaders and experts caution that significant uncertainty remains, and federal agencies still have other tools to delay or obstruct projects.
ELM welcomes this decision as an important victory for clean energy. However, Massachusetts and the region need lasting federal certainty to protect jobs, stabilize energy costs, and keep offshore wind development moving forward.
JUL. 4, 2025 – In addition to trillions of dollars in state funding for health care, food assistance, and education, the budget reconciliation bill eliminates programs and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (2021) that promoted energy efficiency, transmission for clean energy, electric vehicles, and investments in climate resiliency, and eliminates crucial tax credits for renewable energy that do not reach construction milestones by July 4, 2026.
ELM urges the federal government to reverse course and restore these critical investments. Rolling back support for energy efficiency, resilience, and grid modernization will raise costs for families, undermine job growth, and weaken the nation’s ability to respond to the climate crisis. Massachusetts and New England must continue to lead in protecting our communities and advancing the clean energy transition.
2024
NOV. 14, 2024 – The Massachusetts Legislature passed both an expansive omnibus climate billand substantial climatetech investments in the Economic Development Bill.
The omnibus climate bill, An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers, expedites our Commonwealth’s clean energy transition through siting and permitting reform; a state procurement for energy storage resources; increased electric vehicle charging access, and; expanded offshore wind tax incentives.
The transformative climatetech provisions within the Economic Development Bill (H.4804 An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership) integrates climate priorities into our state’s economic development strategy, which will expand our workforce, drive competitive growth, and catalyze the development of technology to address our climate crisis.
ELM thanks the Legislature for passing these bills and looks forward to working with our state government to implement them.
