THE POLICY INITIATIVE
We work with real policymakers to implement real legislation:
The policy team provides an opportunity to work with Massachusetts state legislators on clean energy policy from the beginning research stages to the passing and advocating of legislation.
Our current initiative is centered around the Massachusetts wind industry and finding ways to support legislation that contributes to the Commonwealth’s transition towards a greater reliance on renewable energy.
We are working with…
Massachusetts State Representative Christina Minicucci – Democrat, 14th Essex
Representative Christina Minicucci is a Democrat representing the 14th Essex district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Her environmental work in the House has focused on improving air and water quality. Some of the environmental legislation she has sponsored includes reducing natural gas leakage — especially in the wake of the Columbia Gas explosions of 2018 — which is known to be a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, she worked on legislation related to combined sewer systems, requiring residents of towns and cities with these systems to be notified when untreated wastewater is discharged into the environment as well as mandating increased testing of this water to reduce harm to aquatic and marine ecosystems. Rep. Mincucci, an environmental champion, has collaborated with HUCEG’s policy team to improve our relationships with the MA Legislature.
Massachusetts State Senator Marc Pacheco – Democrat, First Plymouth and Bristol
Senator Marc Pacheco is a Democrat representing the Plymouth and Bristol region of Massachusetts and is the Dean of the Massachusetts State Senate. Senator Pacheco recently authored senate bill S.2227 to expand offshore wind development in the Commonwealth.
Throughout his career in both the MA State Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Pacheco has always prioritized issues surrounding the environment and natural resources, sponsoring legislation to make Massachusetts No. 1 in energy efficiency and to create more than 75,000 clean energy jobs, among others. The HUCEG Policy Team is hoping to work with Senator Pacheco to learn more about the state’s future in the greater renewable energy industry.
Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr – Democrat, Cape and Islands
Senator Julian Cyr is a Democrat representing the Cape and Islands region of Massachusetts and is the Assistant Majority Whip in the Massachusetts State Senate. Senator Cyr recently authored senate bill S.2154 to provide for investment in and expansion of the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth.
As Vineyard Wind works towards building the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind energy project in his district’s own backyard, Senator Cyr is focused on advocating for a program that addresses investment in wind infrastructure development as well as expansion of offshore wind industry-related employment. The HUCEG Policy Team is hoping to work with Senator Cyr to learn more about future clean energy and offshore wind legislation.
Massachuseets State Representative Patricia Haddad – Democrat, Fifth Bristol
Representative Patricia Haddad is a Democrat representing the fifth Bristol district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Rep. Haddad recently authored a petition accompanied by House Bill H.2924 to establish a special commission to study the benefits of implementing an offshore wind investment tax credit.
Massachusetts’ coastline makes the state uniquely positioned to integrate the renewable energy – especially wind – industry into its economy, which is why Rep. Haddad believes this legislation to be crucial in attracting the offshore wind supply chain. The HUCEG Policy Team is hoping to work with Representative Haddad to learn more about the future of the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth and the ways in which the public can help support its expansion.
