"Mass. Court Bans Electricity Rate Hikes to Fund Gas Pipeline Projects"

"Ruling declares current plan to finance $3 billion project illegal, gives boost to state's clean energy push, activists say."

"The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down a controversial 'pipeline tax' that would have allowed electric utilities in the state to raise rates to pay for natural gas pipeline projects.

The decision is a setback for pipeline company Spectra Energy and its proposed Access Northeast project, which would have significantly increased the flow of natural gas along an existing pipeline from New Jersey to eastern Massachusetts.

The ruling comes on the heels of several other favorable developments for  renewable energy. In May, the same court upheld the state's Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050."

Phil McKenna reports for InsideClimate News August 19, 2016.