Solar and Storage Industry Statement on Massachusetts Legislature’s Failure to Pass Commonsense Energy Bill

BOSTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Legislature adjourned today after failing to pass legislation addressing critical barriers to the development and deployment of clean energy and solar energy in the Commonwealth. The bill died after the conference committee charged with negotiating final legislative language failed to offer a compromise bill.

Valessa Souter-Kline, Northeast regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), issued the following statement after the legislature adjourned:

“The solar and storage industry is deeply disappointed that clean energy reforms failed to pass this year despite widespread support. Commonsense measures to improve the interconnection process, facilitate rooftop permitting, and enable battery energy storage systems were abandoned. Even the siting proposal from the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting could not get across the finish line despite support from both the House and Senate.

“Every year that the legislature fails to pass reforms to alleviate major barriers to the buildout of solar, the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals get further out of reach, and Massachusetts’ reputation as a clean energy leader recedes further into the past.

“Solar and storage companies are ready to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Massachusetts but simply cannot because current policy makes it prohibitively expensive, or nearly impossible, to develop projects that can deliver energy to the people and businesses that need it.

“SEIA remains committed to working on solutions that deliver the clean energy that Bay Staters are demanding.”

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Media Contact: 

Morgan Lyons, SEIA’s Director of Communications, mlyons@seia.org