Energy affordability and regional collaboration dominated talks at the New England-Canada Business Council's annual Executive Energy Conference.

A relatively small project aiming to increase gas pipeline capacity into New England is raising larger underlying questions about how the region will balance gas reliability and affordability with longer-term efforts to transition away from natural gas.

Two and a half years after taking the helm at the Massachusetts DPU, Chair Jamie Van Nostrand is leaving after leading it through a series of major changes in its approach to natural gas regulation.

Projected energy efficiency investments in New England over the next three years will generate an estimated $19.3 billion in lifetime benefits, returning $2.93 for every dollar spent, according to new analysis by the Acadia Center.

Climate and consumer advocates called on Massachusetts lawmakers to preserve the state’s energy efficiency programs as legislators work to develop an energy affordability bill in response to high gas and electricity costs over the past winter.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities directed the state’s gas distribution companies to revise their line extension policies and require new customers to cover the cost of new hookups, with limited exceptions.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the state’s investor-owned electric utilities have issued a request for proposals to procure up to 1,500 MW of mid-duration energy storage.

Strong winter discounts on electricity delivery rates are needed to more fairly charge Massachusetts homes with heat pumps for their share of grid costs, according to a new report commissioned by a coalition of environmental groups.

The impending addition of new export commitments could pose a challenge for Hydro-Québec over the next few years if drought conditions persist.