Jan 12: We Are Advocates Too!

Currents Winter 2012 Newsletter

In Massachusetts, the executive directors of Mass Energy and the Center for Eco Technology  recently testified before a legislative committee in November expressing strong support for the 2008 Green Communities Act (GCA). The GCA has made Massachusetts the top state in the country on energy efficiency and a leader on wind and solar as well.

At the hearing, we were somewhat disappointed that some testifiers expressed concern about increased costs to ratepayers related to renewable energy. Some said that because natural gas prices have dropped, so should spending on clean energy. While we’re concerned about costs too, there has been ample evidence that the benefits of clean energy far outweigh the costs, particularly over the long term. We have also advocated that rather than racing to the bottom of natural gas supplies on a short-term basis, we should be taking the longer view and building a strong foundation for that inevitable day when
natural gas prices rebound.

And we won’t stop there. In 2012, we will encourage the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council to adopt an aggressive three year plan for 2013-2015. We’ll also support policies to facilitate the deployment of wind and solar in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We’ve already spoken in favor of making it easier – technically, bureaucratically, and financially – to connect renewable energy generators with the utility grid in Massachusetts. Additionally, Mass Energy’s Larry Chretien has testified in favor of wind siting reform – supporting legislation that would make it easier and cheaper for good, locally permitted wind projects to withstand frivolous appeals.