Jon Lamson

Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys with special guest Doc WatsonLive at the White House 1980 YouTube video by Performances moving to Homespun Music Instruction!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ2f...

Bill Monroe rolling in his grave over the Donroe doctrine

Thanks Josh, what a game!

@jtkantor.bsky.social hi josh! Not feeling like Joel tonight, any chance you could try Hide and Seek by Billy Strings? Thanks so much!!

Many are saying Train are the modern day Billy Joel

🙏

Drought, Climate Drive Uncertainty on New England Imports from Québec The impending addition of new export commitments could challenge Hydro-Québec over the next few years if drought conditions persist.

www.rtoinsider.com/108561-droug...

Ultimately, short- and long-term precipitation trends in Québec likely will have a significant effect on how much power New England will be able to import from the province. Story is linked below for @rtoinsider.bsky.social

The company has signed long-term contracts to send large amounts of power Mass. and New York, set to take effect over the next year. However, Quebec has faced drought conditions and declining water levels since 2023, contributing to a large reduction in the amount of power it sends to the US.

I've got a new story up today looking into how much hydropower Hydro-Quebec will be able send to New England in the coming years, and how climate change will affect Quebec's power supply long-term.

BRENDER AND EDDY!! thanks Josh you’re the best

🙏🍝🍻✨💍💔

@jtkantor.bsky.social what’s your favorite scene from scenes from an Iranian restaurant?

Yea that’s a great part. Don’t forget the water bed

What about just the “cold beer hot lights part” it really speaks to me at a deep level

Article linked here: www.rtoinsider.com/104125-massa...

Finally, as the Trump administration targets state climate policies, the state may face hard questions about how to maintain its clean energy transition throughout an administration hostile to clean energy. Read the full story here:

Lawmakers also could consider altering the mechanisms for funding policy initiatives currently funded through volumetric charges in utility rates, and climate advocates hope the state will take additional steps to discourage long-term investments in the state's gas network.

Under the umbrella of affordability, advocates and lawmakers are looking at banning or reforming direct-to-consumer competitive electricity supply practices, a key issue which was not addressed in the state's 2024 bill.

However, there seems to be a significant push for energy affordability bill in the wake of high gas prices this past winter. The Healey administration is preparing to file an affordability bill soon, which may serve as a starting point for discussions.

New story out previewing climate and energy in Massachusetts' 2025-2026 legislative session. The state has passed significant new laws in each of the past three sessions and work still needs to be done to implement these laws, so it may be a quieter this time around.

Raising awareness and taking issue with the fact that there are separate utilities named ComEd and Con Ed. Surely we can do something about this.

Mass. Clean Energy Trust Funds Grow amid Project Financing Challenges Massachusetts agencies are facing a massive influx of alternative compliance payments from electricity suppliers.

It gets a bit into the weeds, but hopefully is worth reading if you're interested in this type of thing. Check it out here @rtoinsider.bsky.social:
www.rtoinsider.com/94200-ces-rps/

I spoke with quite a few people about what the state is/should be doing with the ACP money, potential issues with the state's electricity standards, and what role the standards should play in the clean energy transition going forward.

These payments go directly to the state and serve as a cap on the market to protect ratepayers when the prices of renewable energy certificates get too high.

While the standards are intended to provide an additional revenue stream to clean energy owners and developers, electricity suppliers can also meet the requirements with APCs.

I've got a new story up about how alternative compliance payments (ACPs) for Massachusetts clean electricity portfolio standards have accumulated in a pair of state trust funds, which grew to over $500 million in 2024, compared to about $56 million in 2020. (1 of 5)

Power Trip: How utilities use customer money to fund lobbying, corporate branding, and luxury lifestyle expenses Utilities seek to charge customers for lobbying, corporate advertising, and unnecessary expenses that do not benefit customers.

Private jet trips. Massages. Professional sport games. Not the perks of being a millionaire, but instead an executive or staff member at some of the top utilities across the country. And customers are paying the price. New report from EPI: energyandpolicy.org/report-utili...

Report: Anti-Wind Groups in Southern New England Parrot Views of Fossil Fuel-Backed Right-Wing Think Tanks - ecoRI News A new paper researching anti-wind funding by an institute at Brown University mostly bypasses images of monetary payoffs by outside forces.

Brown University report finds that expertise from nationwide opponents of renewables offers scripts and guidance to local anti-wind activists. ecori.org/report-anti-...

For those interested in transmission in New England, I dug through and summarized the comments submitted on the first round of ISO-NE's new longer-term transmission planning process, which is just getting started. @rtoinsider.bsky.social www.rtoinsider.com/93235-stakeh...