Massachusetts Takes Step To Streamline Renewable Energy
Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts has signed a new bill that is designed to streamline the state’s efforts for renewable energy. The new law transfers the Renewable Energy Trust to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. This transfer creates a single angency that will be responsible for developing renewable energy technologies.
The Clean Energy Center was established by the 2008 Green Jobs Act. The main job of the center is to support the state’s research, job training and entrepreneurship with money from the energy trust. The center has issued around $4 million to be used for grants for job training. It’s also helping develop the largest wind turbine blade testing center in the nation located near the Boston Harbor.
The Renewable Energy Trust obtains funds from a small fee that is added on top of electric utility customers monthly bills. These fees generate as much as $25 million each year.