BELD Applauds Historic Climate Bill

Braintree Electric Light Department Applauds Inclusion of Municipal Light Plants in Historic Climate Bill

For Immediate Release:

Braintree, MA, March 29, 2021 –Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) is saluting legislative leaders and Governor Baker and his Administration for their hard work on the Energy and Climate Bill, S.9., signed into law on Friday, March 26, during a virtual Bill signing event at the Statehouse. BELD recognizes the significant time and effort to develop this Bill which lays the groundwork for real climate action. Friday’s actions bring the Commonwealth to nation leading climate policy goals that engage all sectors in the energy life cycle.

The Climate Bill recognizes the importance of MLPs in the Commonwealth’s clean energy future. With 41 MLPs representing hundreds of thousands of residents, Section 33 of the new law will formalize the clean energy work already well underway at these utilities.

“The MLPs have been voluntary clean energy leaders for a long time,” said Bill Bottiggi, BELD, General Manager “This legislation recognizes our efforts and the fact that municipal utilities have a critical role to play in reaching the Commonwealth’s emission goals. We thank Chairman Thomas Golden for introducing the MLP provisions and fighting for our inclusion in this Omnibus Bill and recognizing the value of the role of public power in Massachusetts.”

The Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy sets statewide emissions limits compiling a comprehensive roadmap plans for reaching each limit; and producing regular reports on how well the plans are doing. It also creates a first-time greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants, requiring them to purchase 50% non-emitting electricity by 2030 and get to “net zero” emissions by 2050.

"While the Legislature worked on advancing this law governing how municipal light plants will support the Commonwealth's net-zero by 2050 commitment, the MLP’s continued their significant expansion of procuring renewable and carbon-free electricity" said State Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr., Former Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “MLP’s are climate leaders because they are so agile. They now have a formal obligation to meet the new standards and assist the Commonwealth in achieving a clean energy future.”

ABOUT Braintree Electric Light Department

BELD stands for Braintree Electric Light Department. We’re a not-for-profit, municipal electric utility exclusively serving the residents and businesses of Braintree. As long-time residents know, even in the worst storms the power never goes out for long in Braintree! Customers come first at BELD, not profits. We answer the phone quickly. We make house calls. We do everything we can to make our customers’ lives a little easier.

Media Contact:

James Ritchie

Braintree Electric Light Department

Marketing Communications

jritchie@beld.com