By Ella Parekh, NECEC Policy Intern

On June 9, NECEC partnered with the Alliance for Business Leadership (ABL) to host our annual Massachusetts Clean Energy Day event. Nearly 50 NECEC and ABL member companies had the opportunity to meet virtually with representatives from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Administration, energy officials, and legislators to discuss the most pressing climate and energy policy issues facing the Commonwealth. This event series, which NECEC holds in key states across the Northeast each year, allows NECEC and our members the opportunity to connect with policymakers and discuss energy and climate policy issues affecting each state.

The event began with remarks from Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock, Senate and House Chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Sen. Michael Barrett and Rep. Jeff Roy, followed by a panel discussion moderated by ABL President Jen Benson and featuring NECEC board members Emily Reichert of Greentown Labs and Bradley McLean of Nexamp covering the challenges and opportunities these clean energy business leaders see in Massachusetts. The speaking program was followed by a packed schedule of meetings with legislators, where we listened to legislators’ questions, explained the complexity of clean energy transition and deployment issues, and discussed how neighboring states tackle renewable energy challenges. With the help of our NECEC members, we strengthened relationships, built knowledge, and expanded opportunities with Massachusetts officials who share our strong commitment to clean energy and climate progress.

The event also showered hope onNECEC’s 2021 Massachusetts policy priorities, which include:

• Accelerating the decarbonization of electric supply, transportation, and heating by supporting a commitment to 100% clean electricity by 2030.
• Centering Equity and Environmental Justice by ensuring that these priorities are woven into each of our policies.
• Driving the Commonwealth’s Innovation Leadership by securing continued support for MassCEC, which is key to accelerating private sector innovation and bringing public resources and partnership to bear in the state.
• Paving the way to local power as part of a clean and resilient electric grid by removing impediments to progress such as widespread interconnection challenges and pressures on siting and land use.
• Bolstering commitments to large-scale renewable and energy storage procurement such as offshore wind and other projects.
• Kick-starting clean transportation with critical near- and long-term policies such as the Transportation Climate Initiative and programs that support the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles.
• Strengthening energy efficiency investments and addressing building sector emissions as electrification of the economy increases the importance of energy efficiency.
• Read more about about NECEC’s policy priorities on our website here.

There is still much work remaining to reach our clean energy goals in Massachusetts and across the Northeast, and in the coming months NECEC will continue to build on the momentum generated by Massachusetts Clean Energy Day. As Representative Mindy Domb said during the event, “We must use our wins as a springboard and not as a victory lap.”