Baker administration moves to lift solar caps, but proposal could put the brakes on solar

Media Contacts
Ben Hellerstein

Former State Director, Environment Massachusetts

Environment Massachusetts

Boston – Responding to growing public pressure to remove limits on solar energy and reduce pollution from the power sector, the Baker administration introduced legislation today to raise the caps on net metering, the state’s most important solar program. Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts, issued the following statement in response:

“It’s encouraging to see Governor Baker treat the issue of the net metering caps with the urgency it deserves. Because of the caps, solar workers are losing their jobs, and businesses, nonprofits, and local governments are missing out on all of the environmental and economic benefits that solar brings.

“But in the long run, the Governor’s legislation could slow the growth of solar. For many types of solar projects, this bill would deny fair compensation for the energy produced. Any compensation system for solar power should take into account all of the benefits solar provides, including benefits to the environment, the economy, and the electric grid. We should also preserve programs like virtual net metering that make the benefits of solar available to all.

“Rather than put the brakes on solar, we should bring as much solar to Massachusetts as we can, as quickly as possible. By 2025, we can get at least 20% of Massachusetts’ electricity from the sun. We hope Governor Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and other state officials will embrace big goals for solar and enact policies that will keep solar growing.”

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Environment Massachusetts is a statewide advocacy organization bringing people together for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.
www.EnvironmentMassachusetts.org