Government Charlie Baker will pass a bill putting Massachusetts on a course to diversify its power production base with the procurement of 1,600 megawatts of hydropower and offshore wind energy through long-term deals.
The new legislation contains language that promotes gas leak repairs and the development of energy storage technology and allows the Baker government to establish a carbon reduction research center at the University of Massachusetts.
The Senate had recommended to double the rate of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard's growth from 1% per year to 2% annually, but the section was removed from the final bill.
The conference panel also removed Senate-backed language that would have stopped utilities from seeking rate raises from consumers to front the cost of building new natural gas pipelines.
The new legislation contains language that promotes gas leak repairs and the development of energy storage technology and allows the Baker government to establish a carbon reduction research center at the University of Massachusetts.
The Senate had recommended to double the rate of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard's growth from 1% per year to 2% annually, but the section was removed from the final bill.
The conference panel also removed Senate-backed language that would have stopped utilities from seeking rate raises from consumers to front the cost of building new natural gas pipelines.