On Friday, April 8th, 2016 DOER announced emergency regulations to extend SREC II. SREC II was the second solar incentive program created by the state to support the installation of solar projects in the state from 400MW to 1,600MW of installed capacity. The cap of 1,600MW of approved projects was hit in early March. Please see the email from DOER …
The movement to reform criminal justice
I spent a Saturday in early April in Denver at a national meeting about criminal justice reform. The chance to hear what people are doing and thinking in other states was worth the plane time. The country is in the middle of a national attitude change on criminal justice issues: there is an increasing sense that we have gone too far with incarceration.
2016 Solar Net Metering Legislation
Comment from Will Brownsberger The chart Andrew has prepared below summarizes the status of incentives for different kinds of solar projects under the legislation that we approved yesterday. It is not an attractive package from the perspective of the solar industry. Small residential projects continue to receive the full retail net metering credit (in private …
This Week’s Education Reform Vote
This week, the Senate will vote on a major education package. It goes beyond the question raised on the November ballot about the expansion of charter schools. The legislation seeks to improve education for all the children of Massachusetts. My vote for the bill will be a vote to keep that goal alive on Beacon Hill.
Massachusetts anti-motorist bills
In January, Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation considered a number of bills: The full list of bills is here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventDetail?eventId=2342&eventDataSource=Hearings I urge you to oppose the major bills: S.1807*, S.1808*, S.1809*, S.1859, S.1879, S.1900, H.3069, H.3072, H.3073. * Filed by Will B. Also in the mix are a few bills that may or may …
Should the state regulate Uber drivers?
The Senate will soon consider legislation regulating Uber and other ride matching companies. Although I have real sympathy for individuals who have money tied up in taxi medallions, I will not support legislation that will hamper the transition to the superior new model. I welcome feedback on every facet of this industry transition, but I am particularly interested in feedback on the issue of passenger security.