NECEC (New England Clean Energy Council) congratulates today’s energy appointments announced by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton: Ronald Gerwatowski as Assistant Secretary of Energy, Angela O’Connor, as Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Robert Hayden as DPU Commissioner and Daniel Burgess as Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER). NECEC President Peter Rothstein released the following statement regarding the appointments.

“We look forward to collaborating with these four new members of the Baker Administration, Secretary Beaton, and their entire teams as the Commonwealth considers opportunities to lead and further develop clean energy, a diversified energy portfolio, clean energy innovation and regional competitiveness ” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “The DPU is essential in the effort to accelerate this transition and NECEC is optimistic that DPU Chair O’Connor will lead the DPU with a strong balanced approach to making clean energy and a modernized, customer-focused electricity system a driver to more predictable and cost-effective energy for the Commonwealth’s ratepayers.”

At the end of the traditional energy pipeline and with no coal, oil, or natural gas of our own, Massachusetts pays top dollar for its imported fuels and over the last dozen years has tripled its reliance on natural gas to fire the region’s electricity generation. While lower gas prices during this time have benefited Massachusetts’ electricity customers, this increasing reliance leaves the Commonwealth vulnerable to price volatility and supply constraints. The combination of renewables and energy efficiency have also contributed to lower energy bills in recent years, and clean energy resources—renewables, efficiency, demand response, solar, distributed generation and others—which are becoming increasingly cost-effective, can provide a path to reduce customer exposure to high electricity prices, mitigate supply challenges and improve our environment.

Rothstein added: “The new administration has a unique opportunity to lead Massachusetts into a sustainable, secure and affordable energy future. The policies set by the new administration and legislature will be crucial to expanding the clean energy sector in Massachusetts and delivering its significant economic, energy and environmental benefits to the Commonwealth’s citizens, businesses and industry. We look forward to working with the Baker Administration as they act on this valuable opportunity to build upon and improve Massachusetts’ strong clean energy foundation.”

The Commonwealth’s clean energy industry has seen 47 percent job growth in the last four years through both deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency across Massachusetts as well as the development of a world-class industry creating technologies and products to serve a rapidly growing regional, national and global clean energy market. The combined influence of renewables and efficiency investments has contributed to lower consumer energy bills in recent years. Today, many of the policies that have spurred such growth are at a critical juncture and must be updated to continue the success of the economic engine that is clean energy in Massachusetts.

About NECEC (New England Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute)

NECEC is a regional non-profit clean energy business, policy and innovation organization whose mission is to accelerate the region’s clean energy economy to global leadership by building an active community of stakeholders and a world-class cluster of companies. NECEC works with clean energy businesses and entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders in the clean energy sector in New England and the Northeast through programs and initiatives that advance clean energy markets and help clean energy businesses access the resources they need to grow. NECEC includes New England Clean Energy Council, a 501(c)(6) trade member organization, and NECEC Institute, a 501(c)(3). New England Clean Energy Council is the lead voice for hundreds of clean energy companies across New England, influencing the energy policy agenda and growing the clean energy economy. NECEC Institute leads programs that support Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Industry Research & Development.