RESPECT: Reforming Energy System Planning for Equity and Climate Transformation
(H 755/ S 2091)
Representative Blais/Senator Comerford
A priority bill for Climate Action Now
This bill addresses the conflict of interest in the utility planning process in which the utilities conduct long-range planning for the distribution systems that they own and operate at a profit for their investors.
The bill, if passed into law, would create a Department of Energy Transformation Planning within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to lead energy system planning and ensure it is aligned with state goals to address climate pollution, further environmental justice, and lower consumer costs.
What you can do to support this bill
It is really important to show support for Senator Comerford and Representative Blais’ bill because it requires the state of Massachusetts to take responsibility for long term planning of utility services rather than having the utilities in charge of that planning.
We urge you to submit written testimony using the template below
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[DATE]
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy (TUE)
Senate Chair, Senator Michael J. Barrett
House Chair, Representative Jeffrey Roy
24 Beacon St., Room 109-D
Boston, MA, 02133
As submitted by email to Abigail.Kuhn@masenate.gov and
JointCommittee.Utilities&Energy@malegislature.gov
Dear Co-Chairs Senator Barrett and Representative Roy:
As a member of Climate Action Now, Western Massachusetts I am writing in support of H.755/S.2091, An Act Reforming Energy System Planning for Equity and Climate Transformation, sponsored by Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Natalie Blais.
[Insert comments here about why acting on climate change is important to you].
The bill mentioned above addresses the conflict of interest in the utility planning process in which the utilities conduct long-range planning for the distribution systems that they own and operate at a profit for their investors. The bill creates instead a Department of Energy Transformation Planning within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to lead energy system planning and ensure it is aligned with state goals to address climate pollution, further environmental justice, and lower consumer costs.
This shift in responsibility for long-term planning would allow the state to focus on greenhouse gas reduction goals, meaningful public input, and environmental justice impacts. This would in turn permit the utilities to focus on operating reliable distribution systems and serving their customers and investors.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
How to submit your testimony
Email your testimony to:
JointCommittee.Utilities&Energy@malegislature.gov
Copy your legislators as well as
The subject line of the email should be “H.755/S.2091, Member Climate Action Now, in Support”.
Hearing for the bill
The bill will be heard by the legislature’s joint committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (TUE) on September 20th at 1 pm and again on September 21st at 10 AM. Click on the links below for information about the hearings.
