In Massachusetts this week, state and local leaders rolled out plans to make renewable technologies available to all residents. Traditionally, renewable and clean energy systems have been cost prohibitive for many Americans—available only to the more affluent communities and residents. However, the new initiative will provide hundreds of solar and thermal-heating systems to working class families throughout the state where they are needed the most, and can do the most good.
The new plan brings together resources from both federal and state government sources, totaling $15 million. The money will target investments in solar generation, and thermal heating systems, and promises to yield a multitude of benefits for areas typically overlooked in community action on climate. The investments will pay off by creating cleaner, healthier environments for residents to live and raise families, will drive down costs of electricity and heating, and may provide a much needed boost to local economies.
State and local leaders in Massachusetts are showing how to lead the way on advancing climate solutions. Their work speaks to a greater emphasis on climate justice—bringing renewables to working class communities.
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Gov. Baker unveils $15M solar, renewable energy plan
By Todd Feathers | The Lowell Sun | February 3, 2016
LOWELL — Gov. Charlie Baker unveiled a $15 million initiative Tuesday aimed at creating hundreds of solar panel and renewable thermal-heating systems over the next several years to supply energy to low- and moderate-income households.
As an energy source for homes, renewables have traditionally been the reserve of well-to-do families and developers due to the large upfront costs required to install the systems. The initiative will allow more working families access to the cost-saving and environmental benefits of those technologies, Baker said.
"People struggling to get by, people struggling to pay their bills, people struggling to pay their rent ought to be able to participate more fully in the commonwealth's clean-energy economy," he said.
