Regarding the Massachusetts Legislature’s Solar Conference Committee agreement to address solar policy announced yesterday, below is a statement on the legislation from Peter Rothstein, President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC).

“NECEC greatly appreciates the hard work of the Conference Committee and other legislative leaders in developing a bill that will enable solar development and investment in the Commonwealth to continue. This bill will allow the solar industry to move forward with near term solar projects that will preserve local jobs and provide economic, energy and environmental benefits to Massachusetts residents, businesses and communities. We urge the Legislature to pass it.

“The bill increases net metering caps immediately and directs the important effort that will be led by the Department of Energy Resources to redesign ‘a statewide solar incentive program’ to reduce costs for all customers by efficiently providing support for diverse solar development in the Commonwealth."

“While we greatly appreciate the much needed 3% increase in the public and private net metering caps, NECEC notes that this increase provides only an interim solution as the caps are likely to be hit again in the next year. We reiterate that NECEC is dedicated to working with the legislature and the Baker Administration to find a permanent solution based on a long-term sustainable solar policy framework that reduces costs, benefits customers and truly creates a long-term sustainable solar industry, recognizing the value that solar provides for all customers.”

About NECEC (Northeast Clean Energy Council & NECEC Institute). NECEC is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward.