filed: August 31, 2010 • Connecticut, Massachusetts

Connecticut eyes Mass. renewable energy bill

Credit: Hartford Business Journal, www.hartfordbusiness.com 30 August 2010 ~~

Connecticut may get a boost from Massachusetts in meeting the Nutmeg State’s renewable energy goals, as the Massachusetts state Senate is trying again to pass a bill supporters say will streamline the location of wind power facilities in Massachusetts, The Associated Press reports.

By 2020, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control wants 23 percent of the state’s power to come from renewable energy sources such as wind, water and solar, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

While Connecticut electric utilities have linked to wind power in Maine and hydro power in Canada, the state still needs more renewable sources. The state’s efforts to put a wind farm in Long Island Sound has met with similar community resistance as the Massachusetts wind farm.

If Massachusetts passes its bill and the wind farm becomes reality, Connecticut could tap into that power source for its own renewable energy portfolio.

The bill passed both the Massachusetts Senate and House, but the Senate failed to take a final parliamentary vote before the clock ran out July 31 in the Legislature’s formal session.

Senate President Therese Murray and fellow Senate Democrats are trying to push through the bill during the informal session, but Republican lawmakers have objected.

During informal sessions a single lawmaker can block a vote.

Democrats say they’ll try again Monday. If the final vote continues to be blocked, lawmakers will have to start from scratch in January.

Critics say the bill undermines local control. Gov. Deval Patrick calls it one of his priorities.

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