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The following is an update on the ongoing process in Massachusetts regarding energy legislation.
First, a recap:
As you may remember, in November, the chairman of the House Energy Committee, Mark Cusack, proposed a major energy bill that Green Energy Consumers Alliance and virtually every environmental and climate organization opposed due to many provisions that would rollback the Commonwealth’s commitment to clean energy. The organizations and, most importantly, individuals throughout the state, worked hard to impress upon the House of Representatives that many sections of the bill needed to be removed. (We have written a lot of blog posts on this: two in November (1 and 2), one in December, and one in January.) It seems that we were heard insofar as the bill was referred to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, where it is being altered.
Where is the bill now?
In recent days, we have heard the House Ways and Means Committee will likely send its version of an energy bill to the House for a floor vote in the last week of February or early March – certainly after school vacation week. This means that anyone who wants to see passage of legislation that would reduce the Commonwealth’s overdependence on dirty, expensive fossil fuels should contact their representative now. We want representatives to ask their colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to produce an excellent bill.
Then what?
When we see the legislation from Ways and Means, we will report on that and ask you again to contact your state representative with specific requests to support or oppose certain provisions of the bill. We may also be asking some representatives to file some amendments to the bill before it is voted on by all House members.
The State Senate will also be producing its own energy bill. The timing on that is unclear. When we know more, we will let you know. But once both sides – House and Senate – have passed their bills, there will be a conference committee with members from either chamber. Their job will be to hash out differences and produce one bill both chambers can agree upon. After that, it will go to Governor Healey for her approval or denial.
Steps to take action:
1. Find your State Representative's number here.
2. Call their number. A staff person will answer (don't worry, they are friendly), or you'll be directed to a voicemail box. Either way, you can use this script:
Hello, I’m [your name]. I live in [town], and I am calling to ask you to push to ensure that the House’s energy bill, H.4744 is refocused on reducing energy costs by going after utility overspending and predatory third-party electric suppliers, not the state’s clean energy programs, particularly Mass Save.
3. Follow up with an email. You can use the same script as above.
4. Share this information with three friends and urge them to do the same.
Finally – protecting Mass Save is of utmost importance!
As we have written before, the latest version of the House Energy Committee’s bill released publicly would roll back the Commonwealth’s climate mandates. It would also take an axe to the budget for our energy efficiency program, Mass Save. Green Energy Consumers and our allies have pointed out that the savings from Mass Save far outweigh the cost, especially over time. Simply put, it is cheaper to save energy than to buy natural gas, heating oil, propane, or electricity.
For proof on that point, you might be interested in this new report from the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy. It points out that the fastest and cheapest way to alleviate rapid problems on the grid is through expanding investment in energy efficiency and demand flexibility. Utility energy efficiency programs—which provide incentives for households and businesses to make upgrades like improving insulation or heating and cooling systems—save energy at less than half the cost of generating electricity from new gas-fired power plants. Given the affordability crisis and the climate crisis, it just doesn’t make sense to step back from one of the strongest tools in our toolbox to fight both: energy efficiency. Again, we urge you to contact your State Representative with this message!
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