JOSH CUTLER: Solar Energy Benefits Ripple Home in Massachussetts

Creating a major new law can be compared to tossing a stone in the water. There is an immediate splash, but often the subtle ripples have a more lasting effect. Such is the case here in Massachusetts in our march toward renewable energy. Nearly six years ago, Gov. Deval Patrick advocated and signed into law a landmark clean energy bill, known as the Green Communities Act. The purpose of the law was to boost production in renewable energy, lessen dependence on fossil fuels and promote energy efficiency.

Gov. Deval Patrick signs energy bill into law

This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on five roll calls and senators' votes on two roll calls from recent legislative sessions.

Changes in the State's energy laws (S 2395): House 149-6, Senate 38-0, approved and Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a bill aimed at reducing the high cost of electricity in Massachusetts and creating more competition.

Massachusetts: Solar energy bill advances in Legislature

The state Legislature’s Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee this week advanced a clean energy bill that would increase the availability of the net-metering program.

SB 1664, "An Act Relative to Net-Metering," is a critical piece of expanding clean energy production across the state, according to the office of state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who filed the bill.

The net-metering program is an important reason why installed solar electricity has increased 24-fold since 2008, the year the state Legislature passed the Green Communities Act, Eldridge’s office said.