Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Bill that Highlights Offshore Wind and Hydropower

(BOSTON) – Representative Tom Stanley (D-Waltham), Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown), and Senator Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass energy legislation that seeks to protect the Commonwealth’s ratepayers and support clean energy. The bill requires distribution companies to conduct solicitations for 1,600 megawatts (MWs) of offshore wind and supports a total of 2,800 MWs of clean energy, the largest amount the Legislature has included in any single bill.

To spur the timely infusion of reliable clean energy projects in Massachusetts, the bill will also require distribution companies to conduct solicitations for up to 9,450,000 MWhs of energy from either hydropower, or hydropower and Class I renewable resources.

“The Legislature has taken an important step of expanding clean energy while looking out for ratepayers with this bill,” said Representative Tom Stanley. “Big thank-you goes out to my colleagues in the Legislature for crafting this innovative strategy that will bring stability to costs while expanding opportunities for offshore wind and hydro.”

“This legislation creates the pathway towards our clean energy future. By focusing on procurement this bill does the hard work of translating goals into a process that will make them a reality,” said Representative John Lawn. “The amount of combined hydro and wind energy approved in the bill will ensure that the Commonwealth remains a national leader on clean energy and will help to secure a more reliable and sustainable future.”

“Two vital goals were achieved with passage of this legislation – a cleaner and greener environment and energy independence,” said Senator Michael Barrett. “I’m proud that we engaged in many discussions and meetings on this issue which paves the way to a renewable future for our state.”

Related provisions include:

·         All contract proposals must go through a competitive bidding process;

·         Contracts must be determined to be cost-effective for ratepayers to be approved;

·         Stipulates that eligible offshore wind developers must build projects in federally leased waters;

·         Solicitations may be coordinated with other states or state-designated entities, and may staggered over time;

·         The length of the contracts shall be for 15 – 20 years.

By creating a framework that includes both offshore wind and hydropower this legislation promotes a diverse energy portfolio that will replace some of the power the Commonwealth is losing from older, dirtier sources scheduled to shut down. With a similarly forward-looking perspective, the focus on offshore wind will cultivate a new industry and create jobs here in Massachusetts.

The legislation includes a series of ratepayer protections including a requirement that the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Attorney General jointly-select an independent evaluator to assist the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to determine whether the procurement process is open, fair, and transparent.

Governor Baker signed the bill on Monday, August 8th at a ceremony on the State House’s Kennedy Statue Lawn.