Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Gov. Patrick signs renewable energy bill

By Mass High Tech Staff

Gov. Deval Patrick today signed an energy bill that promotes efficiency through renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, instead of traditional power generation, the State House News Service reported.

The bill would require utilities to tack on energy efficiency measures, obtain long-term renewable energy contracts and reward consumers who use renewable energy sources with rebates. Owners of solar and wind power could also benefit from selling excess electricity.

The bill signing, which took place at the Museum of Science, also gave the governor an opportunity to credit Salvatore DiMasi, house speaker, for announcing in December 2006 his intention to address energy reform.

Currently moved into committee now is the DiMasi-supported Green Jobs Act of 2008, which proposes to apply more than $100 million over a five-year period to help generate new clean energy jobs.