MY TURN
by Michael J. Albano
MASSACHUSETTS SOLAR INDUSTRY NEEDS A LITTLE SUNLIGHT
Massachusetts has been the national leader in the solar industry creating thousands of jobs and lowering electrical costs for residential consumers and businesses.
The solar success story in the Commonwealth is due in large part to the net metering policy which gives customers fair credit on their utility bills for the valuable clean power they deliver to the local power grid. This crediting arrangement is a crucial element to the State policy encouraging customers to go solar and save money.
Current State law places a permanent cap on net metering participation based on a certain percentage of solar energy use in the service area of a utility company.
Once the cap is reached, utilities are no longer required to offer the incentive to new, nonresidential solar energy customers. This limit has put the brakes on public and private solar projects across the Commonwealth.
Recently, I have been approached by a number of solar businesses in western Massachusetts regarding the lifting of the net metering cap. Without the lifting of the cap, there will be an exodus of the solar industry from Massachusetts costing hundreds of jobs and penalizing consumers.
And, without action from the Legislature and Governor, solar will soon be out of reach for Massachusetts consumers and businesses.
This is particularly damaging for western Massachusetts where the economy is still extremely fragile. Without immediate legislative relief, many solar companies will be forced out of business causing major job loss and not allowing access to energy savings for consumers.
The net metering cap makes no economic or energy policy sense. I am perplexed as to why the Baker Administration considers the lifting of the cap as a tax increase, as suggested by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton at a recent legislative hearing. Nothing could be further from the truth as to the economic benefits to the consumer; or, the jobs created by the solar industry.
Last year, the Legislature formed a Net Metering and Solar Task Force bringing the solar industry, utilities, ratepayer advocates and municipal leaders together to chart the future of solar policy in the Commonwealth.
The Task Force concluded that a scenario without net metering caps would be the most cost-effective way to keep solar working for Massachusetts. The Task Force recommended the Legislature act immediately to lift the net metering cap, allowing solar development to continue unimpeded.
As a former Mayor of Springfield, I can say unequivocally for local governments looking to lower energy costs and keep dollars going to critical services, the stakes are especially high.
We have led the nation on solar policy. I urge the Governor and Legislature to lead once again on net metering legislation and allow the solar industry to continue to thrive in Massachusetts.
__________________________________________________________________
Michael Albano represents western Massachusetts as a Member of the Governor's Council. He is a former Mayor of Springfield.
by Michael J. Albano
MASSACHUSETTS SOLAR INDUSTRY NEEDS A LITTLE SUNLIGHT
Massachusetts has been the national leader in the solar industry creating thousands of jobs and lowering electrical costs for residential consumers and businesses.
The solar success story in the Commonwealth is due in large part to the net metering policy which gives customers fair credit on their utility bills for the valuable clean power they deliver to the local power grid. This crediting arrangement is a crucial element to the State policy encouraging customers to go solar and save money.
Current State law places a permanent cap on net metering participation based on a certain percentage of solar energy use in the service area of a utility company.
Once the cap is reached, utilities are no longer required to offer the incentive to new, nonresidential solar energy customers. This limit has put the brakes on public and private solar projects across the Commonwealth.
Recently, I have been approached by a number of solar businesses in western Massachusetts regarding the lifting of the net metering cap. Without the lifting of the cap, there will be an exodus of the solar industry from Massachusetts costing hundreds of jobs and penalizing consumers.
And, without action from the Legislature and Governor, solar will soon be out of reach for Massachusetts consumers and businesses.
This is particularly damaging for western Massachusetts where the economy is still extremely fragile. Without immediate legislative relief, many solar companies will be forced out of business causing major job loss and not allowing access to energy savings for consumers.
The net metering cap makes no economic or energy policy sense. I am perplexed as to why the Baker Administration considers the lifting of the cap as a tax increase, as suggested by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton at a recent legislative hearing. Nothing could be further from the truth as to the economic benefits to the consumer; or, the jobs created by the solar industry.
Last year, the Legislature formed a Net Metering and Solar Task Force bringing the solar industry, utilities, ratepayer advocates and municipal leaders together to chart the future of solar policy in the Commonwealth.
The Task Force concluded that a scenario without net metering caps would be the most cost-effective way to keep solar working for Massachusetts. The Task Force recommended the Legislature act immediately to lift the net metering cap, allowing solar development to continue unimpeded.
As a former Mayor of Springfield, I can say unequivocally for local governments looking to lower energy costs and keep dollars going to critical services, the stakes are especially high.
We have led the nation on solar policy. I urge the Governor and Legislature to lead once again on net metering legislation and allow the solar industry to continue to thrive in Massachusetts.
__________________________________________________________________
Michael Albano represents western Massachusetts as a Member of the Governor's Council. He is a former Mayor of Springfield.
3/15/13
The Law Offices of Dunn & Phillips, P.C. has announced today the creation of a Governmental Relations Office in conjunction with Governor’s Councilor and Former Mayor of Springfield Michael Albano.
Attorney Cornelius Phillips, the owner and founder of Dunn & Phillips, P.C., calls the newly formed relationship “a wonderful bond.” Attorney Phillips, a supporter of Councilor Albano, spoke very highly of the former Mayor, mentioning: “Michael Albano is a proven leader and highly experienced public servant.”
Councilor Albano spoke very highly of Dunn & Phillips, P.C. The former Mayor said, “Dunn & Phillips, P.C. has had a tremendous record of representing thousands of Western Massachusetts citizens over their 24 year history.”
Mayor Albano went on to describe Dunn & Phillips’s record of Pro Bono legal work. Albano stated: “As a member of the Massachusetts Pro Bono Recognition Honor Roll, Dunn & Phillips, P.C. serves as the perfect example for a what a law firm in Massachusetts should be.”
In addition to being the Governor’s Councilor from District 8 of Massachusetts, Mayor Albano is the owner of Michael J. Albano & Associates, a consulting firm in East Longmeadow, MA which offers governmental relations, public policy, political consulting, real estate development, public relations, and social networking services.
Founded in 1989, Dunn & Phillips P.C. has law offices in three locations: Springfield, Westfield and Amherst.
The Law Offices of Dunn & Phillips, P.C. has announced today the creation of a Governmental Relations Office in conjunction with Governor’s Councilor and Former Mayor of Springfield Michael Albano.
Attorney Cornelius Phillips, the owner and founder of Dunn & Phillips, P.C., calls the newly formed relationship “a wonderful bond.” Attorney Phillips, a supporter of Councilor Albano, spoke very highly of the former Mayor, mentioning: “Michael Albano is a proven leader and highly experienced public servant.”
Councilor Albano spoke very highly of Dunn & Phillips, P.C. The former Mayor said, “Dunn & Phillips, P.C. has had a tremendous record of representing thousands of Western Massachusetts citizens over their 24 year history.”
Mayor Albano went on to describe Dunn & Phillips’s record of Pro Bono legal work. Albano stated: “As a member of the Massachusetts Pro Bono Recognition Honor Roll, Dunn & Phillips, P.C. serves as the perfect example for a what a law firm in Massachusetts should be.”
In addition to being the Governor’s Councilor from District 8 of Massachusetts, Mayor Albano is the owner of Michael J. Albano & Associates, a consulting firm in East Longmeadow, MA which offers governmental relations, public policy, political consulting, real estate development, public relations, and social networking services.
Founded in 1989, Dunn & Phillips P.C. has law offices in three locations: Springfield, Westfield and Amherst.