S.52 – Amendment Undermining Enhanced Energy Planning Law

Pro-environment vote: NO

This amendment would have undermined the enhanced energy planning and siting law, Act 174, a program which aims to ensure that municipal and regional energy plans will, collectively, put us on track to meet our state’s goal of 90% renewable energy by 2050. Under existing law, towns and regions with approved energy plans would be given substantial deference in energy siting decisions before the Public Utilities Commission. This amendment would have stripped the requirement that plans be in compliance before granting this “substantial deference,” fundamentally undercutting the balance the program seeks to create. Without ensuring that towns and regions are all doing their part towards our renewable energy goals, we will not be able to make the progress we need to achieve them.

Status: Amendment failed; Senate vote 10-20.