Energy

As president and CEO of the North Central Chamber of Commerce, Roy M. Nascimento hears a lot from local businesses about the cost of electricity.

Power grid and wind energy equipment manufacturer AMSC of Devens said Tuesday that revenue was up in its second quarter on the back of additional wind contracts and a $3.7 million government contract modification.

A new report has found that Massachusetts is the New England leader on the number of electric vehicles on the roads – and in the number aimed for by 2025. But it says that even Massachusetts – and another state singled out for praise, Maryland – need to ramp up their efforts in order to reach goals set two years ago.

A 12-acre site near the base of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock now sports 7,500 solar panels, the largest such array in the region.

A week after being named the most energy efficient state in the country, Massachusetts took an additional step Monday to set ambitious, nation-leading energy efficiency goals for the next three years.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo indicated Friday that the House would address the issue of the solar net metering cap separately from more comprehensive energy legislation that is likely to also speak to wind, hydro and other sources of renewable power.

Dick Fiske Sr. and his Heart to Heart Foundation of North Brookfield was honored by the Children's Smile Coalition at Hanover Theatre in Worcester last month.

When Worcester-based Reliant Medical Group announced the layoff of 78 employees early last month, the healthcare provider cited a projected budget shortfall.

The hoopla surrounding this month's announcement of a $33-million, high-end luxury hotel for downtown Worcester may seem a bit overhyped, but given the step-by-step nature of economic revitalization, business and city officials have the right to be excited to get another important piece of the puzzle in place and can't be faulted for shouting their successes from the rooftops.

TODD DONOHOE was hired as a commercial lender at Hometown Bank in Oxford. He was most recently...