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Energy & Climate Counsel

Your one-stop resource for timely analysis of legal and policy developments affecting the energy and climate sectors. We focus on the issues that matter most to you, from federal and state policy and judicial decisions to business trends and financing news.

Siting Battery Storage in Massachusetts: A New Regulatory Landscape
Blog July 01, 2026
Battery energy storage systems (“BESS”) are central to Massachusetts’ clean energy strategy. The Commonwealth has committed to procuring approximately 5,000 megawatts of energy storage by July 31, 2030, and procurements are ongoing…
Massachusetts Finalizes Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Rules
Blog March 11, 2026
After more than a year of hard work by regulators and stakeholders, Massachusetts has finalized the bulk of the regulations needed to implement the siting and permitting reforms enacted in the 2024 Climate Act…
Massachusetts Energy Storage Procurement Underway
Blog September 08, 2025
Massachusetts’s first “Section 83E” procurement for energy storage is underway, with bids due Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at noon…
MA Files Draft RFP for 1,500 MW Energy Storage, DPU Requests Comments by May 30
Blog May 21, 2025
Massachusetts recently stepped closer to its first major solicitation for long-term energy storage contracts under its new Section 83E authority…
2024 Clean Energy Act Promotes Energy Storage Deployment Across Massachusetts
Blog January 15, 2025
Our latest blog post in our Massachusetts Clean Energy act series gives an overview of the primary energy storage procurement-related provisions…
2024 Clean Energy Bill Addresses Massachusetts Natural Gas Policies
Blog January 09, 2025
The new law addresses natural gas through several different avenues, with some changes intended to limit the expansion of natural gas distribution systems in the Commonwealth…
Massachusetts DPU Approves Utilities’ Electric Sector Modernization Plans
Blog September 17, 2024
On August 29, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued a highly anticipated order approving the Electric Sector Modernization Plans filed by the three Massachusetts electric distribution companies, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil. The ESMPs will provide a strategic roadmap for the EDCs’ plans to make significant investments in their electric distribution systems to support state clean energy goals…
DPU Issues Long-Anticipated Net Metering Ruling
Blog February 21, 2024
On February 15, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) issued a much-anticipated order in docket D.P.U. 21-100 that finally promulgates regulations (220 CMR 18.00) to implement 2021 statutory changes to the Net Metering Program…
New Report Details Massachusetts Whole-of-Government Approach to Climate Crisis
Blog October 26, 2023
Yesterday, Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer issued a report detailing how “to implement the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s whole-of-government approach to addressing the climate crisis.” The report identifies trends, barriers, and gaps in Massachusetts climate policy, establishes guiding principles for whole-of-government climate action, and offers recommendations to strengthen the “climate-related practices and policies of executive department agencies.”…
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ABOUT

Foley Hoag’s Energy & Climate Counsel blog aims to be your one-stop resource for timely analysis of legal and policy developments affecting the energy and climate sectors. We focus on the issues that matter most to our readers, from federal and state policy and judicial decisions to business trends and financing news.

Our authors, comprised of attorneys from the firm’s Energy & Climate practice, have been active in the energy and climate space for decades, counseling clients across the spectrum – from new, innovative technology companies to large utility-scale power projects. Recognizing early on the common concerns of the renewable and traditional energy fields, we established one of the first integrated practices to serve all segments of the energy and clean technology sectors. We believe this tight integration provides us with the insight to analyze the pressing issues, trends and opportunities that those in this industry have come to expect.