New Law Will Increase Bay State's Reliance on Renewable Energy

Massachusetts will ramp up its reliance on renewable and alternative sources of energy under a bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

The new law requires utilities to solicit long-term contracts with offshore wind farm developers to bring at least 1,600 megawatts of wind energy to Massachusetts in the next 10 years.

It also encourages the delivery of larger supplies of Canadian hydropower and other renewables and provides incentives for utilities to develop energy storage technology.

Baker signed the bill Monday at the Statehouse.

Supporters have hailed the bill as a critical step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Baker and others have also pointed to the need to replace energy leaving the New England electrical grid, including the scheduled 2019 shutdown of the Pilgrim nuclear plant in Plymouth.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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