The Baker Administration announced on July 9 that it filed a
bill for sourcing long-term hydroelectric power in the
Commonwealth. Hydroelectric power currently provides a small
portion of electricity consumed in Massachusetts. According
to the Energy Information Administration, it ranks behind
natural-gas, nuclear, coal and other renewable energy sources.
The bill, titled "An Act Relative to energy sector compliance with
the Global Warming Solutions Act," would require the
State's electric distribution companies to solicit
proposals for hydroelectric contracts spanning 15 to 25
years. Such solicitations would begin no later than April 1,
2016.
As indicated in the bill's title, the Administration would
encourage the Commonwealth's distribution companies
to source hydropower as a way of meeting the state's required
greenhouse gas emission reductions under Global Warming Solutions
Act. Signed into law by Governor Baker's predecessor Deval
Patrick, the Global
