Eldridge touts energy bill
By Christian Schiavone - Acton Beacon
Thu Dec 06, 2007

Acton, Mass. - The Massachusetts House of Representatives earlier this month unanimously passed a sweeping energy reform bill backed by state Rep. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton.

Eldridge, who made renewable energy one of the key components of his platform during his run for the 5th Congressional District this summer, said that the new bill represents a step forward in the state’s environmental efforts, in part, by encouraging utility companies to invest in alternative energies.

“It’s taking a strong stand for the fact that utility companies have to do more of their part to embrace alternative energies,” Eldridge said of the bill.

If the bill becomes law, it would require energy companies to enter into 10 to 15 year contracts with alternative energy companies, such as wind farms, so that a portion of the energy they provide to consumers comes from renewable sources and providing investment to alternative energy companies.

Currently, utility companies can sign a one to two year contract with an alternative energy company, but the longer contracts would create more stable investment for renewable energy companies and hopefully drive down costs for consumers, said Eldridge.

The bill, known as the Green Communities Act of 2007, also offers incentives to consumers and businesses including a $2,000 tax break for buying a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle, a 15 percent or $300 tax credit for businesses that install a solar-powered water hearting system.

Under the new legislation, the state would also be required to replace state-owned vehicles with a more fuel-efficient fleet.

The bill has received support from key leaders on Beacon Hill, including Gov. Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray, as well as businesses and environmental groups.

“The passage of this bill in the House and its positive reception among so many of the state’s leaders underscores the importance of this bold new reform,” said House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a Boston Democrat and a lead sponsor of the bill, in a press release.

DiMasi announced the energy reform package as his top priority early last year. Legislators worked on the bill for nearly 11 months before voting 151 to zero to adopt the bill and several amendments Nov. 16

“[DiMasi] put out some ideas and they’ve been worked on this whole time,” said Eldridge.

The Senate will likely not take up the bill until early next year.

The bill also creates a Department of Clean Energy under the Division of Energy Resources that will provide oversight of energy saving benchmarks set out in the legislation, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from the 1990 levels by the year 2020, and reducing total energy consumption by 10 percent by 2017.

“If there’s a specific state entity committed to a single purpose, it’s usually a lot more effective,” said Eldridge, drawing a comparison to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which provides grants for school construction and renovation. “This department can really zero in with a laser focus on working to embrace alternative energy on a more macro level.”

The bill would also set up grants and low-interest loans for communities to pay for local energy improvement projects.

Eldridge last Saturday attended the dedication of a newly installed solar panel array mounted on the concession stand next to Leary Field in Acton. The new legislation, he said, would encourage more such projects.