Ongoing solar talks continue to frustrate
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Solar protesters plan to march to the Statehouse today to deliver a petition calling for action on solar incentives.
Solar industry executive and workers will hold a briefing at the Omni Parker House Tuesday morning before walking to the State House to deliver petitions to lawmakers calling for action.
Advocates are hoping to help spring legislation from a conference committee that has been deadlocked since November over how to move forward with incentives for the solar industry. As House and Senate negotiators go back and forth, industry leaders say growth in the industry is stalling
The conference, led by Sen. Benjamin Downing and Rep. Thomas Golden, met face-to-face last Thursday. House Speaker Robert DeLeo had expressed hope that the in-person meeting was a good sign, but on Monday the speaker said good intentions are still not producing results.
“Heard today everyone is feeling good in terms of where they are. I can't say their feeling good has translated to completion of the bill, but I think there's general feeling that they're heading in the right direction,” DeLeo told reporters. The speaker still indicated he would like to resolve the solar piece of the energy equation before tackling an omnibus energy bill that is expected to look at hydroelectric and wind power.
Gov. Charlie Baker shares DeLeo's desire to put the solar issue in the rearview mirror before the larger energy debate begins, but he won't be in the building when the advocates arrive. Instead, Baker for the second year in a row will be in Quincy getting his head shaved to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before taking his new look to the Springfield Chamber of Commerce for an afternoon speech.
As Baker heads west, former Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray will be coming east back to the State House to advocate as the president of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce for the governor's jobs bill that includes funding for vocational schools. Vocational education was major focus of Murray's work during his years in the Patrick administration.
The Health Policy Commission in the morning will host hospital executives and other stakeholders to explore the challenges facing community hospitals, while Attorney General Maura Healey will be in New York City for a climate change event with former Vice President Al Gore, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell.
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