House Passes Energy Reform Package
Legislation seeks to embrace sustainable alternative energy
Rep. Jamie Eldridge announced last week that the House of Representatives has unanimously approved energy reform legislation to promote the use of cleaner, renewable energy in Massachusetts. The legislation is following the commitment of Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi that energy reform would be his top priority for the House.
The Green Communities Act of 2007 establishes energy goals for the commonwealth and acts to implement those goals through statewide clean energy initiatives and reforms. The bill provides incentives to individuals, business owners, and municipalities to invest in energy-saving technologies and aims to reduce energy consumption at the state level.
The legislation has received the support of Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and a broad coalition of business, energy, and environmental groups.
“This legislation will move Massachusetts into a new era of energy efficiency and significantly reduce the commonwealth’s fuel consumption as a whole. It will promote environmental stewardship in our communities,” said Eldridge.
Incentives outlined in the bill include an income tax deduction of $2,000 for individuals who purchase hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles, a 15 percent or $300 tax credit to Massachusetts businesses to offset the cost of purchasing a solar water-heating system, and low-interest loans and grants for cities and towns to finance energy-saving improvements locally.
Under the legislation, the state would lead by example, replacing state-owned and -operated vehicles with more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The bill will create a Department of Clean Energy, under the supervision and control of the commissioner of the Division of Energy Resources, to ensure oversight of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in Massachusetts.
Other key provisions of the legislation include:
- Implementation of long-term contracts for renewable energy: Establishes a pilot program requiring distribution companies to enter into cost-effective renewable energy contracts for 10 to 15 years to help make Massachusetts a national leader in renewable-energy generation.
- Establishment of least-cost energy planning: Mandates that distributors consider all available energy resources when purchasing power and requires them to buy the most cost-effective and stable resources.
- Establishment of alternative energy portfolio standard: Provides market incentives to alternative generation technologies by requiring that a percentage of generation sold to customers come from alternative energies.
Constituents who have questions or want to learn more about this landmark piece of legislation can contact Neel Chaudhury, legislative aide for Rep. Eldridge, at 617-722-2060 or Neel.Chaudhury@state.ma.us.
State Senate Passes Bill to Ban Phosphorus in Detergents
In September the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Pamela Resor, D-Acton, which would effectively phase out phosphorus as an ingredient in household dishwashing detergents.
Phosphorus, which is added to many household soaps and detergents, is a chemical that pollutes lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Excessive phosphorus causes heavy algae growth, which chokes the oxygen from native water plants and fish populations. Many towns in Massachusetts are battling this phenomenon, known as eutrophication, in their own backyards. At water treatment facilities, towns are struggling to meet the high costs of phosphorus removal while those costs are often transferred to taxpayers.
“This bill is just one remedy to a host of ailments affecting bodies of water in the commonwealth,” said Resor. “Excessive phosphorus has especially been a problem in my district, which includes the Sudbury, Assabet, Concord, and Nashua Rivers. I have seen firsthand the carpets of green vegetation covering vast areas of these waters. We can help reduce phosphorus in products before it even enters our precious water resources.”
It has been several years since phosphorus was banned from laundry detergents in Massachusetts and now this push to remove it from dish detergents is gaining new ground. Several states are now considering similar legislation, including Vermont, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. The state of Washington has already successfully passed this measure.
Environment groups and manufacturers, including Proctor & Gamble, have shown their support for this bill, which has been sent to the Mass. House of Representatives for debate. Residents wishing to voice their opinion on this bill should contact their local state representatives.
Legislation to Curb Toxic Chemicals Receives Favorable Report
Sen. Pam Resor’s office has announced that, at the beginning of the month, the Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture gave a “favorable report” to legislation that will protect public health by replacing toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. Supporters of An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals (The Safer Alternatives Bill) applauded the committee’s action as an important step towards passing the measure, which is designed to prevent diseases and disorders such as cancer, asthma, developmental or learning disabilities, infertility, diabetes, and Parkinson’s. The bill is expected to go to the Senate Ways and Means Committee next.
The Safer Alternatives Bill will designate “Priority Toxic Chemicals” which are used in Massachusetts and are linked to chronic illnesses. It mandates a careful process to evaluate and require safer alternatives to these chemicals where feasible. It will assist businesses in the transition and increase the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses internationally.
“Asking manufacturers to make greener, safer products is nothing extraordinary, especially when proven effective alternatives to toxic chemicals exist,” said Resor, co-chairman of the Environment Committee. “Massachusetts is poised to be the leader in the nation for promoting toxic substitution with the important research being done at the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell. If we can keep toxics out of everyday products, then we will be safeguarding the health of our environment and our children.”
In July 2005, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts funded the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell to study safer alternatives for major uses of five toxic chemicals. The study identified safer alternatives to major uses of chemicals, such as those used in dry cleaning, vinyl products like children’s toys, shower curtains and IV bags, and personal-care and building products.
Legislative sponsors and advocates from the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow proposed the legislation as a response to the growing scientific indications that toxic chemicals are contributing to an epidemic of chronic diseases and disorders, including cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Eldridge, Resor File Legislation to Support Renewable Energy Company
Rep. Eldridge and Sen. Resor recently filed legislation that would help Marlborough-based Evergreen Solar, Inc. gain funding for the company’s Devens project.
“This legislation is about supporting an industry that has the potential and capability to create thousands of jobs in Massachusetts,” said Eldridge. “Further, it follows Gov. Patrick’s vision of embracing businesses in the alternative energy industry in Massachusetts.”
“Evergreen Solar has made a significant commitment by locating their business here in Massachusetts,” said Resor. “Renewable energy is a burgeoning market and companies should be encouraged to locate here because that means creating scores of full-time jobs for our residents. It is an added benefit that having a manufacturer located right in our own backyard will encourage renewable energy projects across the region.”
The legislation would make available to Evergreen Solar up to $2.5 million that the company could claim under the 5 percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Evergreen Solar, Inc. will become eligible for the 5 percent ITC when the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) reviews and approves the company’s Devens project.
“Massachusetts is poised to become a leader in clean energy technology, and Evergreen Solar building its first large-scale manufacturing facility in the U.S. here is critical to establishing that leadership position,” said Dan O’Connell, secretary of housing and economics development.
“Evergreen Solar’s expansion in Massachusetts is helping put our state on the forefront of the national race toward a clean energy economy,” said Ian Bowles, secretary of energy and environmental affairs. “We are not only creating jobs, but also protecting the environment through clean solar power.”
Evergreen Solar, Inc. is involved in the development, manufacture, and marketing of solar power products, primarily in Europe and the United States. The new manufacturing plant in Devens will increase Evergreen Solar’s production capacity in Massachusetts by 75 megawatts and double its employee base in the state to more than 600.
From the offices of State Rep. Jamie Eldridge and State Senator Pam Resor
