Do you think Massachusetts energy costs are too high? We agree (Viewpoint)

On any given week, our e-mail inboxes replicate the issues of our constituents. For years, emails have poured in about COVID-19, training, local weather change, infrastructure, and extra. This winter, a high concern is the worth of power.

We share this concern and have been working collectively since we had been elected to reform the state Division of Public Utilities (DPU) and break down limitations to inexperienced power.

We’ve made some progress, however there may be way more to do.

Our constituents need to cut back their carbon footprints, however utilities typically increase value and logistical hurdles. The utilities contend that the restrictions of our present electrical grid make it troublesome for them to help putting in rooftop photo voltaic, or battery storage for charging an electrical car, or making a neighborhood photo voltaic co-op.

The outdated grid not solely makes delivering electrical energy inefficient, it’s anti-consumer and unhealthy for the surroundings.

Final session, we filed, fought for and, finally, handed a brand new legislation to create a Grid Modernization and Client Advisory Board. Due to this new legislation, utilities are required to submit grid modernization plans to this board, driving Massachusetts in the direction of a Twenty first-century electrical energy grid with constituent voices on the desk.

However at the same time as we work to make our grid extra environment friendly at delivering energy, we have to convey costs down now. That’s why we filed and handed laws to allow constituents who don’t personal their very own houses, or who dwell in co-housing or a condominium growth, to entry the monetary advantages of photo voltaic web metering.

And for constituents who’re dwelling on mounted incomes, we’ve labored to make sure the Low Earnings Warmth and Power Help Program (LIHEAP) is absolutely funded all through this winter.

However there’s extra.

In Massachusetts, utilities should obtain approval from the DPU for the charges they’re permitted to cost. We had been heartened when the DPU just lately ordered utilities to cut back the worth of pure fuel. Nevertheless, we agree with Power and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper that that is an “necessary reminder that we have to urgently and equitably transition away from risky fossil fuels, which proceed to threaten the monetary safety of our communities.”

When the DPU units utility charges, it additionally units utility income. Massachusetts’ DPU has persistently allowed utilities to make greater income off of Massachusetts ratepayers than neighboring states enable. As a way to forestall the DPU from approving computerized charge will increase as a matter in fact, now we have once more filed An Act Defending Shoppers from Unreasonable Utility Price Will increase (Senate SD313 / Home Invoice 495).

We wrote in regards to the utility sweetheart offers final session together with the president of the Acadia Heart, a clear power nonprofit with which now we have partnered.

However even with this laws, utilities would nonetheless be chargeable for power system planning, proudly owning and working grid infrastructure, and serving clients. Not solely would conflicts of curiosity stay, so would planning silos between totally different utilities, which trigger overspending, diminished reliability, and extra air pollution. There’s additionally no incentive to contemplate fairness and environmental justice issues.

That’s why we’ve partnered once more with the Acadia Heart to file laws to implement the RESPECT initiative. An Act Reforming Power System Planning for Fairness and Local weather Transformation (Senate SD863 / Home Invoice 1696) is an bold proposal to overtake power system planning and reimagine the regulatory framework for utilities.

It shouldn’t break the financial institution to maintain your lights on and your private home at an inexpensive temperature.

For those who suppose you’ve been paying an excessive amount of for power, please know we’re channeling our power towards an inexpensive and clear power future for all.

Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, is state senator for the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester District; to study extra about her work, log on to SenatorJoComerford.org;

Natalie M. Blais, D-Sunderland, is state consultant for the first Franklin District; to study extra about her work, log on to Repblais.org.