On November 8, 2007, House Speaker Sal DiMasi, and House Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Chairman Brian Dempsey unveiled the House of Representatives new energy proposal for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"The Green Communities Act" will place a renewed focus on cost-saving, energy efficiency, and renewable energy for both citizens and business owners of the commonwealth. Many businesses were consulted in its development, including GBREB.

Incentives include allowing current energy efficiency program revenues to be accessed for "demand response" and "combined heat and power projects." Currently that is not the case. A 15 percent or $300 tax credit will also be allowed to Massachusetts businesses to offset the cost of purchasing a solar water heating system.

On the local level, cities and towns will have the opportunity to participate in newly established programs which will provide loans and grants to finance the cost of energy improvements.

Among the other new portions of the bill are provisions which:

• Implement long-term contracts for renewable energy.

• Establish a pilot program requiring distribution companies to enter into cost-effective renewable energy contracts for 10 to 15 years to help make Massachusetts a national leader in renewable energy generation.

• Establish least-cost energy planning programs.

• Mandate that distributors consider all available energy resources when purchasing power and requires them to buy the most cost-effective and stable resources.

• Establish an alternative energy portfolio standard.

• Provide market incentives to alternative generation technologies by requiring that a percentage of generation sold to customers come from alternative energy sources.

The legislation will be taken up for debate by the House of Representatives the week of November 12, and then sent to the Senate for consideration.

Copy of the Legislation and a bill summary.

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