Local reps OK green legislation

LYNN-State representatives from Lynn and Saugus this week put their votes behind green legislation aimed at cutting consumption and improving energy efficiency statewide.Reps. Steven Walsh and Robert Fennell of Lynn, and Rep. Mark Falzone of Saugus, joined their House colleagues in passing The Green Communities Act of 2007, authored by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.The reform legislation is designed to promote the use of cleaner, renewable energy in Massachusetts. It establishes energy goals for the state and implements those goals through clean-energy initiatives. In doing so, the bill provides incentives to individuals, business owners and municipalities to invest in energy-saving technologies and attempts to reduce energy consumption at the state level.Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley and a broad coalition of business, energy and environmental groups support the legislation.”This will curb the state’s fossil fuel consumption and promote clean energy in our communities, ushering Massachusetts into a new era of energy efficiency and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the commonwealth as a whole,” said Walsh. “With this legislation, Massachusetts has become a national leader in renewable energy resources and promoting greater use of energy efficiency.”Walsh credited DiMasi and the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy with creating the legislation.”When I filed this legislation, I was focused on reducing energy consumption statewide while moving the commonwealth to the forefront of energy policy nationwide,” said DiMasi, the bill’s lead sponsor. “I can say now, after many conversations, and much collaboration, this bill now exceeds my expectations.”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.As part of the strategy, the state would lead by example, replacing state-owned and operated vehicles with more fuel-efficient vehicles, Walsh said.Falzone added, “This significant legislation will help our economy, protect our environment, and provide greater security for families in our community and less dependence on foreign oil. We now have an important start in Massachusetts to meet our need for lower energy costs, more high quality jobs in green industries, and fewer greenhouse gases that impact global warming.”The bill creates a Department of Clean Energy, under the supervision and control of the Commissioner of the Division of Energy Resou-rces, to ensure oversight of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in Massachusetts.Other key provisions include the implementation of long-term contracts for renewable energy. For instance, a pilot program requires distribution companies to enter into cost-effective renewable energy contract for 10 to 15 years to help make Massachusetts a national leader in renewable energy generation.The legislation also establishes the concept of least-cost energy planning. It mandates that distributors consider all available energy resources when purchasing power and requires them to buy the most cost-effective and stable resources.Additionally, the bill establishes an alternative energy portfolio standard. This provides market incentives to alternative generation technologies by requiring a percentage of generation sold to customers come from alternative energy sources.