Governor Deval Patrick has recently enacted the Green Communities Act, which he has proclaimed as "the best clean energy bill in America". The bill will impose regulations on fossil fuel dependent energy utilities within the state while promoting alternative energy sources.
The energy bill offers grant rebates to residents and businesses for the installation of energy-efficient technologies. Utilities are are expected to develop customized alternative energy plans (such as the option of renting solar panels for a reduced upfront cost) for individual homeowners and businesses. The bill ultimately aims to increase the state's output of solar power by 600% within the next four years. Excess energy generated by solar energy systems and wind turbines may also be sold back into the grid.
The governor's office released this outline of the Green Communities Act:
Lower Energy Costs Under the new law, the state will make energy efficiency programs compete in the market with traditional energy supply. Utility companies (NSTAR, National Grid, Western Mass. Electric, etc.) will be required to purchase all available energy efficiency improvements that cost less than it does to generate power, ultimately saving money on consumers’ electricity bills. Utility companies will offer rebates and other incentives for customers to upgrade lighting, air conditioning, and industrial equipment to more efficient models, whenever those incentives cost less than generating the electricity it would take to power their older, less-efficient equipment. Existing efficiency programs have already shown savings at 3 cents per kilowatt-hour versus 9 cents for power generation. Customers who take advantage of these incentives will save money as they reduce how much energy they use. The incentives will encourage more efficient energy use, lowering the overall demand on the system and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
::The Boston Globe
IMAGE COURTESY COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
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