Mayors ask state leaders to preserve key solar program

Environment Massachusetts

Boston —  Mayors and top officials from 32 cities and towns, led by Mayor Setti Warren of Newton, sent a letter today to legislative leaders urging them to support policies that enable municipalities to benefit from solar energy.

Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts, issued the following statement in response:

“Cities and towns have played a crucial role in Massachusetts’ solar energy boom. We thank Mayor Warren and the other mayors and city and town managers who signed this letter for their leadership on this issue.

“Many cities and towns have already installed solar panels on capped landfills, the roofs of government buildings, and other municipal properties. These municipal solar projects are reducing Massachusetts’ global warming pollution, while saving millions for local taxpayers and boosting the state’s solar industry.

“Unfortunately, as Mayor Warren points out in his letter, legislators are considering proposals to slash the value of solar net metering credits. These changes would prevent many cities and towns from moving forward with solar projects — including a community shared solar project in Newton that will expand access to solar for low-income families and those who can’t install solar panels on their roofs.

“It would be a huge mistake to slash successful solar programs when solar is bringing so many benefits to our environment, our economy, and local taxpayers. Instead of cutting back on clean energy, we should make sure that every city and town, every family, and every business has the chance to switch to solar.”

Download the letter here.

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Environment Massachusetts is the statewide, citizen-funded advocacy group working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.