NECEC and Alliance For Business Leadership Host Virtual Massachusetts Clean Energy Day to Advocate for Energy Policies
BOSTON - Today, nearly 50 member companies of the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) and the Alliance for Business Leadership (ABL) met with representatives from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Administration, Massachusetts legislators, and energy officials for NECEC’s virtual Massachusetts Clean Energy Day, an annual event hosted in partnership with ABL that brings together business leaders and policymakers to discuss the most pressing energy and climate policy issues facing Massachusetts.
This annual event featured a day of meetings between policymakers and business leaders from the solar, energy storage, wind, EV, smart grid and other sectors.
“Massachusetts has long been a leader on climate and clean energy policies that match the scale of the climate challenge we face,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “We need bold, clear action to achieve a clean energy economy, and NECEC remains committed to working with the Baker Administration, legislators, and industry leaders to deliver on the vision of a cleaner, more competitive, more equitable, and more resilient future for Massachusetts.”
“Massachusetts is at an inflection point on clean energy, and the policy choices we make now will impact our economy and our climate for generations,” said ABL President Jennifer Benson. “Today, business leaders made the case to policymakers that supporting renewable energy procurement and fostering a more favorable environment for innovation will boost the economy while helping us meet our ambitious climate change mitigation goals.”
As part of the event, NECEC also released its 2021 Massachusetts Clean Energy Policy Priorities, which demonstrate NECEC’s dedication to growing the clean energy economy in the Commonwealth and across the Northeast. NECEC will focus on policies that ensure a green recovery for Massachusetts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis, including:
- Accelerating the decarbonization of electric supply, transportation, and heating by supporting a commitment to 100% clean electricity by 2030.
- Centering Equity and Environmental Justice by ensuring that these priorities are woven into each of our policies.
- Driving the Commonwealth’s Innovation Leadership by securing continued support for MassCEC, which is key to accelerating private sector innovation and bringing public resources and partnership to bear in the state.
- Paving the way to local power as part of a clean and resilient electric grid by removing impediments to progress such as widespread interconnection challenges and pressures on siting and land use.
- Bolstering commitments to large-scale renewable and energy storage procurement such as offshore wind and other projects.
- Kick-starting clean transportation with critical near- and long-term policies such as the Transportation Climate Initiative and programs that support the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles.
- Strengthening energy efficiency investments and addressing building sector emissions as electrification of the economy increases the importance of energy efficiency.
NECEC’s full 2021 Massachusetts Clean Energy Policy Priorities are available here.
About NECEC
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. The organization includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council, a nonprofit business member organization, and NECEC Institute, a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development, and strategic communications. The organization’s innovation program includes Cleantech Open Northeast, the Northeast affiliate of the national cleantech accelerator Cleantech Open, and Cleantech Navigate, which provides cleantech startups with curated connections to mentors, test sites, customers, corporate partners, and investors. 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.
About ABL
The Alliance for Business Leadership is a coalition of business leaders who believe that social responsibility and sustainable growth go hand-in-hand. Through education, advocacy, and thought leadership, ABL is the progressive voice of business in Massachusetts, championing public policy solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, advance environmental justice priorities, and support the Commonwealth’s path to net-zero emissions and a clean energy future. Our members believe that clean energy is good for business, good for the economy, and good for the environment.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Meggie Quackenbush
mquackenbush@necec.org
Sean Rourke
srourke@alliancebl.org
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