Policy
Policy is a critical component of the drive to transform our nation’s energy infrastructure. New England states have demonstrated their leadership in advancing innovative clean energy policy; and the Council has been an aggressive supporter and contributor to this effort. In addition to efforts at the state level, the Council is involved in advocating for clean energy policies at the federal level.
Clean Energy Stimulus
The Council's Policy Committee was heavily involved in helping to advance and shape the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Co-Chair Steve Cowell and member Sam Krasnow both worked tirelessly to draft and promote strong energy efficiency language in the bill. As a result, the bill contains over $5 billion to weatherize homes, $6.3 billion in state energy-efficiency and clean-energy grants, and $4.5 billion to make federal buildings more energy efficient.
Waxman-Markey bill
Co-Chair Berl Hartman led the charge to draft a summary of the Council's position on numerous issues for the American Clean Energy & Security Act. These included specific recommendations on cap & invest, energy innovation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. All were well received by legislators and staffers during the CEO fly-in.
Clean Energy Innovation Consortia
Peter Rothstein, Co-Chair of the Council's Innovation Task Force and newly appointed board member of the New England Clean Energy Foundation, along with Elise Zoli of Council sponsor Goodwin Procter, worked to propose, draft and advance a title within the Waxman-Markey bill on Clean Energy Innovation Consortia. These consortia call for federal funding of a public-private partnership that will inject up to $50 million per year per region (for up to 8 regions nationwide) into university research projects, early stage ventures and economic development within the region. Peter is currently leading the effort to ensure that the proposal is also part of the emerging Senate bills as well. Learn more.
Policy Committee
Co-Chairs:
Berl Hartman, E2
Steve Cowell, Conservation Services Group
Jonathan Abe, Nexamp, Inc.
Marty Aikens, IBEW 103
Mark Barnett, Foley Hoag
Florian Bennhold, Wilson TurboPower
Mark Buckley, Staples
Bob Cleaves, Stratex Energy
Brooke Coleman, New Fuels Alliance
Steve Conant, Anbaric Power
Rob Day, @Ventures
Lynn DiTullio, UMASS
Rob Garrity, Mass Climate Action
Mary Beth Gentleman, Foley Hoag
Dan Goldman, GreatPoint Energy
Paul Gromer, SEBANE
John Harper, Ze-Gen
Herb Healy, EnerNOC
John Howe, Verenium
Dave Kopans, Clean Technology Advisor
Sam Krasnow, Environment Northeast
Eric Macaux, Foley Hoag
Jim Manwell, UMASS Amherst
Bob Massie
Ken Payne, URI
Kat Potter, BlueWave Strategies LLC
Rebecca Puskas, Foley Hoag
Lori Ribeiro, BlueWave Strategies LLC
Wilson Rickerson, Meister Consultants Group
Bob Smith, Northeast Utilities
Don Young, Aspen Aerogels
Corinne Young, BioEnergy International LLC