Senator Michael Barrett, one of the lead authors of Massachusetts’ 2021 and 2022 climate laws, is among a handful of legislators who has proposed alternatives to the current Mass Save structure. A bill he introduced last session proposes that Mass Save have new leadership ...
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Lawmakers ask DPU chief to testify at hearing on MBTA safety – WBUR.org
In an interview, state Sen. Michael Barrett, co-chair of the joint committee, said, “So far as we can tell, the transportation oversight division of the state DPU has 11 authorized positions. Only nine are filled at present. But this division has to cover a lot of ground.” He ...
Ten cities and towns are poised to ban fossil fuels from new buildings – Boston Globe
“This isn’t a study undertaken by a liberal think tank. It’s not a study undertaken by the legislature. This is Charlie Baker’s Department of Energy Resources, reassuring us that the all-electric house is more affordable,” said state Senator Michael Barrett, a Democrat from ...
Lawmakers look to remove MBTA oversight from Department of Public Utilities – The Lowell Sun
“Work on the subject is quite intense,” said state Sen. Mike Barrett. “We have to decide whether all the transportation functions currently organized in the DPU should move over to an independent agency, or whether a new agency should focus only on the MBTA and safety.”
The DPU is also the oversight authority for other regional transit agencies across Massachusetts, he said, and the “threshold question” will be whether any new agency deals with just the T or with the other transportation authorities as well.
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Beyond Mass Save: Legislators and advocates say it’s time for a change – Boston Globe
Senator Michael Barrett, one of the lead authors of Massachusetts’ 2021 and 2022 climate laws, is among a handful of legislators who has proposed alternatives to the current Mass Save structure. A bill he introduced last session proposes that Mass Save have new leadership installed in the form of a chief executive and board of directors, which would include representatives from various agencies and interests, including the utilities as well as three members from environmental justice communities.
When the Legislature begins a new session next year, Barrett said, he expects the bill to be taken up again, possibly with modified language. “We’ve got to have more accountability,” he said. “And I want natural gas off the starting team. I want public interest representatives, government officials, and electric power leaders on the field, representing Massachusetts interests.”
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Wellesley teed up a bold move on climate action. Then came an offer it couldn’t refuse. – Boston Globe
State Senator Michael Barrett, one of the lead authors of Massachusetts’ 2021 and 2022 climate laws, has introduced legislation that would take control of Mass Save away from the utilities.
He said National Grid’s offer to Wellesley embodies what he said is a broad effort by the gas industry.
“This whole issue of the survival strategies by natural gas utilities is framed here,” he said. “They are pursuing a number of stratagems, and imposing these kinds of conditions.”
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The new Mass. EV incentives won’t kick in until sometime in 2023 – WBUR.org
“It’s hard for me to accept that the minimum $3,500 subsidy — which became law … upon the date of the governor signing the DRIVE Act— is still not available to my constituents and to other people in Massachusetts,” Senator Mike Barrett, who helped craft the climate law, said at a Senate sub-committee meeting this week. “Why is that?”
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Beacon Hill’s MBTA To-Do List – Banker & Tradesman
Beacon Hill has a clear transit to-do list for the coming legislative session, centered around setting the MBTA up for long-term success.
First, testimony at last week’s State House hearing investigating the MBTA’s safety overseers at the Department of Public Utilities showed and as state Sen. Mike Barrett identified, we need a dedicated body within state government to handle transit safety supervision.
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