Hydro-Québec praises enactment of hydropower legislation in Massachusetts

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Aug 08, 2016, 03:05 ET

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Today Hydro-Québec praised the actions of Governor Baker and the Massachusetts legislature for enacting clean energy legislation that recognizes the important role of hydropower in the supply mix. The new measure is historic as it authorizes the purchase of significant quantities hydropower and the associated transmission needed to deliver it to customers for the first time in the Commonwealth. With this new law, Massachusetts is better positioned to meet its 2020 GHG emissions reduction requirement under the Global Warming Solutions Act. Moreover, it establishes a foundation from which the entire New England region can collaborate to transition to a cost-effective clean energy future of scale.

The measure is innovative as it promotes options for hydropower to be paired with other variable renewable sources, such as wind and solar, to deliver blended renewable products to the marketplace. In this way, Massachusetts has created an opportunity, unavailable until now, to benefit from the flexibility and energy volume offered by large hydropower resources – and increased integration of local renewable resources.

"The action being taken in Massachusetts is bold and ensures that the mechanisms are in place for concrete progress to increase the state's reliance on clean energy based on competitive processes" said Hydro-Québec CEO Eric Martel. "Hydro-Québec is eager to begin the process of working with Massachusetts to implement the new law and to develop solutions that can meet the goals of the state for clean, stable and reliable sources of electricity."

Added Mr. Martel "Hydro-Québec applauds the leadership of Massachusetts and the New England region in designing competitive, regional processes for procuring clean energy resources that are in the best interest of customers. We look forward to further discussing these questions during the upcoming conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) that will convene later this summer in Boston."

SOURCE Hydro-Québec