At the inaugural meeting of the Clean Energy Roundtable, a quarterly gathering with solar, wind, bioenergy, fuel cell and energy service executives to discuss renewable energy matters, Gov. Deval Patrick, D.-Mass., introduced strategies for growing the clean energy industry in Massachusetts.
According to the governor's office, his administration plans to streamline siting and permitting for clean energy proposals; offer financial incentives through the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and its partners, especially the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which has dedicated funds for renewable energy companies and projects; and form a new public utility commission dedicated to encouraging energy efficiency, renewable energy and distributed generation through rate design.
The governor also urged entrepreneurs in clean and renewable energy to organize a trade association to represent the interests of clean energy.
Since January, officials in the commonwealth's business development and energy-and-environmental-affairs offices have met with over 50 renewable energy firms the governor's office adds.
