By Anthony Lucivero, Advocacy Fellow
We have seen a flurry of solar energy activity in Massachusetts this past week. The Joint Rule 10 deadline of March 16th is fast approaching, which means all joint committees must report out the bills they have. Otherwise, the bills that remain unreported on will “die in committee” (you might have heard about this in our newsletter). If the joint committee in charge of net metering legislation does not report out the bills dealing with solar energy and net metering, the incredible progress we have made in Massachusetts for renewable energy will be lost.
The USGBC MA Chapter has announced a “Call to Action” for our members (and anyone reading this!) to send a letter of support for net metering in Massachusetts. This includes: immediately raising the caps on net metering, funding a comprehensive and independent study on the value of solar energy in Massachusetts, supporting the democratization of solar through virtual net metering and community shared solar, and reform the SREC system.
Please find your local legislator, and fill out this template letter with your information, and then send it via email to them! The chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy also need to hear your voice, so please send a copy to them as well (Senator Benjamin B. Downing and Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr.).
The fine folks at Nexamp, SEBANE, and CivicSolar are also sending letters to legislators. With your help, this will be an undeniable movement of support for net metering.
Vote Solar, Sebane & CivicSolar are hosting a Solar Lobby Day next Tuesday, March 8th! Join in to show your support and make your voice heard!
Where and when:
Tuesday, March 8th at 9am, at the State House in front of the Governor's Office (Point A on this map)
Schedule:
9:00am: Meet in front of Governor's office
9:15: Group photo
9:20am: Distribute materials
9:30am – 3:00pm: Meetings with legislators
3:00pm: Rendezvous back at Governor's office