MenuNew England is traditionally associated with progressive approaches to the environment and the pursuit of renewable energy. States like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine, legislated with binding laws that set limits on emissions to mitigate climate change. This is ironic because New England still relies on one of the world’s most polluting energy sources, fuel oil, as its backup “go-to” energy source. About half of the region’s electricity is supplied by natural gas-powered generation, and when temperatures drop, forcing demand up, oil often becomes the fallback. This dependency highlights the ironic contradiction between the region’s declared environmental values and goals and the reality of its energy portfolio. The question is how to properly balance New England’s mix to meet declared green goals while minimizing the risk to its energy supply.
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