Massachusetts regulators have launched an investigation into the state’s reliance on gas, its primary fuel for residential and commercial heating. The investigation is part of the effort to effectively eliminate the state’s greenhouse gas pollution by 2050. The order, issued by the Department of Public Utilities, is due in March 2022. Environmental groups largely applauded the move and emphasized the need to electrify Massachusetts’ buildings. “This deadline actually pushes off the work that should be happening right now,” Deb Pasternak, director of Sierra Club Massachusetts, told the Boston Globe. “The obvious first step is to stop building new buildings powered by gas … and also to start doing cost-benefit analyses for all gas pipeline repair versus electrification. These two policies could be put in place today, and in addition to immediately starting to lower emissions, would significantly save money.” (Boston Globe, E&E $)