Sarah Shemkus

Sarah Shemkus

Sarah Shemkus is a longtime journalist who covers business, technology, sustainability, and the places they all meet. She has covered the workings of small-town government in New Hampshire, the doings of alleged swindlers and con men, and the minutiae of local food systems. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Boston Globe, TheAtlantic.com, Slate and other publications. Based in Gloucester, Sarah covers the state of Massachusetts.

The Latest from Sarah Shemkus

Solar

New Hampshire’s low-income community solar program finally moves forward

The state energy department is reviewing seven proposals for community solar arrays that will allocate a portion of their bill credits to low-income households.

By Sarah Shemkus . 9 October 2024
Heat pumps

Mass. regulator orders National Grid to set lower winter rate for heat pumps

The decision instructs the state’s second-largest utility to develop a more affordable wintertime electricity rate for customers who have a heat pump.

By Sarah Shemkus . 4 October 2024
Policy & regulation

Massachusetts cities embrace voluntary green building codes

Since state lawmakers approved an optional stretch code early last year, 45 municipalities covering about 30% of the state’s population have adopted the guidelines.

By Sarah Shemkus . 11 September 2024
Electrification

Massachusetts dishes out $53M to decarbonize affordable housing

It’s the second round of grants from the state that focus on making affordable housing buildings electric, efficient, affordable, and healthy. More money is coming.

By Sarah Shemkus . 12 August 2024
Clean fleets

How Massachusetts is helping fleets of cars and trucks go electric

The state is expanding its fleet advisor program, which provides guidance to small businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities looking to transition to EVs.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 June 2024
Solar

A Boston grocery store is bringing community solar to a low-income area

An 81-kilowatt project on the roof of the Dorchester Food Co-Op will test a community ownership model. New federal climate policies could help make it scalable.

By Sarah Shemkus . 21 March 2024
Climatetech finance

An IRA grant could help low-income residents in New Hampshire go solar

The state is seeking $70 million in federal funding and partnering with housing advocates to expand access to solar power for low- and moderate-income residents.

By Sarah Shemkus . 4 December 2023
Solar

Utilities in New Hampshire unexpectedly back solar net metering

In a sharp turnaround from their previous stance, Eversource, Unitil and Liberty Utilities testified in support of keeping the state's net-metering incentive intact.

By Sarah Shemkus . 14 September 2023
Batteries

A big battery is replacing this old Massachusetts fossil power plant

Thanks to a state program incentivizing cleaner peak power, a developer is building a 45 MW grid battery at the site of a fossil power plant shut down in 2022.

By Sarah Shemkus . 13 September 2023
Clean energy

New Hampshire's dormant climate plan revived by Inflation Reduction Act

State lawmakers are planning to use a $3 million federal grant to make good on climate promises set in 2009.

By Sarah Shemkus . 6 July 2023

Sarah Shemkus

The Latest from Sarah Shemkus

New Hampshire’s low-income community solar program finally moves forward

Mass. regulator orders National Grid to set lower winter rate for heat pumps

Massachusetts cities embrace voluntary green building codes

Massachusetts dishes out $53M to decarbonize affordable housing

How Massachusetts is helping fleets of cars and trucks go electric

A Boston grocery store is bringing community solar to a low-income area

An IRA grant could help low-income residents in New Hampshire go solar

Utilities in New Hampshire unexpectedly back solar net metering

A big battery is replacing this old Massachusetts fossil power plant

New Hampshire's dormant climate plan revived by Inflation Reduction Act