New Energy Law Sets Ambitious Goals, but Challenges Abound

BOSTON (AP) — A law recently signed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker envisions a future in which Massachusetts homes and businesses are powered by generous portions of wind, solar and hydroelectricity.

Among its many provisions is a mandate for utilities to solicit long-term contracts with offshore wind farm developers to bring at least 1,600 megawatts of power into the state. Utilities would also be separately required to solicit contracts for up to 1,200 additional megawatts of clean energy generation that could include a mix of hydro, onshore wind and solar.

Massachusetts has made it its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent by 2020, and needs to replace energy that is leaving the power grid, including a scheduled 2019 shutdown of the Pilgrim nuclear plant in Plymouth.