The Massachusetts Senate has passed An Act to Generate Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now, the latest iteration of Speaker DiMasi’s original Green Communities Act.
The bill prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy as solutions to Massachusetts’ energy woes and has received broad support from environmental and industry groups alike.
"The Senate has made history by passing new energy policy that will make Massachusetts a national leader in energy conservation and will position us as an authority in the clean energy economy," said Diana Connett, energy associate with Environment Massachusetts.
The bill curtails energy waste in several ways. It requires electric and gas utilities to procure energy efficiency before they buy more power, and it adopts more efficient energy codes for buildings across the state. One section of the bill sets up a home energy scoring program, which brings the efficiency of a building into the equation, when buying or selling a home.
"Wasting less energy and using clean, homegrown sources of power reduces global warming pollution and cuts energy bills," added Connett. "This bill puts forth a comprehensive set of solutions to our energy problems."
The bill also incentivizes renewable energy is numerous ways. It promotes local generation of renewable energy, like solar panels and wind turbines, by making them more cost-effective for individuals, communities, and municipalities. It also creates a framework for utilities to offer long term contracts to renewable energy developers, and it offers resources to help communities plan and implement energy saving or renewable energy projects.
From here, the bill with go to conference committee, where delegates from the House and Senate will attempt to compromise on a final version of the energy bill to be voted on by both chambers.
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