MA State House: Energized To Discuss New Energy Bill

This past Wednesday, there was tension in the Massachusetts House, as state representatives began debating a new energy bill. The bill requires MA utilities to seek out long-term contracts to purchase 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind power and 1,200 megawatts of hydropower by 2027—enough electricity to support more than two million homes. The distributors are required to do this so long as the bids go through an evaluation process and are found to be “reasonable and cost-effective.” For example, the contracts may fit these terms if the utility is purchasing hydropower or wind energy in tandem with another renewable energy source, like solar or geothermal energy. However, many State Senators and interest groups are disappointed with the legislation and don’t believe the bill is comprehensive enough. Arcadia Center Massachusetts Director Peter Shattuck believes that though the house bill is taking strides towards implementing clean energy, it “lacks the necessary scale and scope needed for a cost-effective clean energy transformation.” He argues that "the scale of procurement for offshore wind and other renewable energy sources is smaller than the need to replace retiring generation with clean energy sources and may limit the competitiveness of opportunity for new clean energy combinations." Couple that with 50 amendments and even more on the way, and you’ve got a bill that necessitates much more time and further revision. And even if the bill passes the House in a timely manner, it will still need to be debated and passed by the Senate. Despite all of this, Governor Charlie Baker still hopes to sign an energy bill into law before the legislative session concludes at the end of July. What do you think it will take to get a comprehensive energy bill passed in MA? What provisions do you think the bill should include? Do you think the bill as it stands is comprehensive enough? For more information check out the following sources: • http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Press-Statement--Massachusetts-Energy-Bill-Lacks-Provisions-to-Ensure-Cost-Effective-Clean-Energy-Transition.html?soid=1101345351614&aid=-mLcolsr-XY • http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/06/massachusetts_house_debates_hy.html • https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H4377