Thursday September 13, 2018
It's a tale of two governors, Deval Patrick and Charlie Baker. It's got good, bad and ugly. It's our essential story of solar in Massachusetts, a history we are living in and one we can and must shape.
The good - flourishing solar under Deval Patrick's administration. Job growth, avoided emissions, community engagement and technological, financial and conceptual innovation.
Then Charlie Baker comes along and has no trouble letting in the bad and ugly - a customer charge from the utility called the "MMRC". It's the latest sharp turn on the "solarcoaster" of energy policy and is seen to be putting the brakes on the growth of distributed energy. Seems to be a likable guy, but what is he up to?
New charges from utilities in Massachusetts are unlike anywhere else (except somewhere in Arizona). They are also very unlike Massachusetts, long a leader in renewable energy and efficiency programs. Understandably, this move by the Department of Public Utilities is being challenged, and is currently under judicial appeal and legislative review.
Can one governor undo the good of another? Can people who want progressive energy policy keep the pressure on during the lead-up to the November 2018 gubernatorial election, and make this a top issue in voters' minds?
Join us on September 13th for the Boston Area Solar Energy Association (BASEA.org) Forum Series. Mark Sandeen of MassSolar (solarisworking.org) will lead us through this tale, our recent and significant energy policy history of what has been and what we are now in.
Refreshments served, Q & A to follow the presentation.
Mark Sandeen is President of MassSolar is Working, Inc. ("MassSolar"), a 501(c)(3) organization working to establish a renewable energy economy, ensure fair compensation for solar owners and provide access to solar for everyone in the Commonwealth. Also founder of RePower Partners, LLC, he is responsible for their portfolio of solar energy projects. Mark has had the privilege of building and leading many high-growth, high-tech teams at Avidyne, Object Design and Intel. He is Chair of the Sustainable Lexington Committee and a member of Lexington's Better Buildings, Community Choice and Solar Energy Task Forces. Mark also writes the monthly column, "All Things Sustainable," for the Colonial Times Magazine.
