Massachusetts
Like most of the country, Massachusetts’ energy consumption is growing, regardless of the increasing cost of electricity, heating oil, natural gas, and gasoline. Last year, Massachusetts set a new record high level of energy consumption, and could see an energy shortage as soon as next year, according to the Boston Globe[i]. The state is however vested in improving the situation, currently spending over $100 million to promote energy efficiency, and is involved in many research and development initiatives [ii].
Conservation only goes so far to alleviate a possible energy deficit, which is something that Governor Deval Patrick realizes. Patrick endorsed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, in addition to the state’s participation in 50 various grant, loan, rebate, and tax deduction programs to encourage the use of renewable energies [iii], [iv]. A massive addition to the existing incentives has been proposed by Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, who has recently called for a “Green Communities Act,” that would provide funding for the promotion of various renewable energies around the state.[v]
Massachusetts has strong potential in the biomass industry. Biomass is currently the fourth most popular renewable energy in the state, and it may be about to take a leap forward [vi].
Massachusetts bid on a federally funded biomass research center that would bring an initial $25 million into the state, and additional $25 million annually for subsequent four years [vii]. The contract will be awarded in June 2007, and many are optimistic.
Mount Wachusett Community College pioneered the state’s entrance into the biomass field in 2002, when it integrated a biomass heating system into the college infrastructure. The modifications have saved over $300,000 a year in energy costs in the four years that it has been operational [viii]. Since then, both public sector and the government have become invested in the development and integration of alternative energy into the marketplace.
The Renewable Energy Trust for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is involved with well over 400 renewable energy projects, mostly ventures headed by individuals or small businesses[ix]. On a larger scale, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources is working to hasten the integration of biodiesel into public transportation busses[x].
Massachusetts has earned numerous recognitions by helping to fund projects like these. The Union of Concerned Scientists has awarded the state five awards, including the title of one of the “Biggest New Renewables Markets.”[xi]
[i] Staff. (2006, September 24.) Quenching the State’s Growing Energy Thirst.” The Boston Globe, p. D9.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] United States Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (2007, January 19). Massachusetts Rejoins Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Retrieved March22,2007,fromhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/states/state_news_detail.cfm/news_id=10536/state= MA.
[iv] Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. Massachusetts Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. RetrievedMarch22,2007,fromhttp://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State= MD&RE=1&EE=1.
[v] State House News Service. (2007, March 21). Bill would provide loans, grants for clean energy. The Boston Globe, online. Retrieved March 22, 2007, from http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/03/21/bill_would_provide_loans_grants_for_clean_energy
[vi] Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. RET Project Search. Retrieved March 22, 2007, from http://www.masstech.org/Project_Srch.asp.
[vii] Preer, Robert. (2006, December 7). Biomass research center pursued The prize: $125m federal facility. The Boston Globe, p. 1.
[viii] Simas, Art. (2006, September 24). By consuming wood chips by the ton, college saves millions; Biomass technology at Mount Wachusett Community College. Sunday Telegram, p. O 1.
[ix] Johnson, Carolyn Y. (2006, October 19). Power to the people Nearly $4m for renewable energy projects aids homeowners, businesses. The Boston Globe, p. 1.
[x] Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources. Renewable Energy Programs. Retrieved March 22, 2007, from http://mass.gov/doer/programs/renew/renew.htm#biomass.
[xi] The Union of Concerned Scientists. Clean Power Surge: Ranking the States. Retrieved on March 22, 2007, from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/clean_energy_policies/clean-power-surge-ranking-the-states.html.