Boston, Massachusetts — On December 30, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued its long awaited order on the Phase I implementation of the revised SMART program. In its order, the Department approved an expanded 1600 MW of capacity, unlocking an almost two-year logjam in the solar development pipeline and creating access to solar for an additional 304,000 homes across Massachusetts.
Following is a statement from Kaitlin Kelly O’Neill, Northeast Regional Director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access:
“Solar projects have been eagerly awaiting the Department’s decision and we’re pleased they finally will soon be able to move forward and expand the Commonwealth’s supply of clean energy and help all ratepayers access the benefits of solar power. To meet the state’s carbon reduction goals, it is paramount the Department moves this process forward with more urgency. The DPU plays a critical role in modernizing our power sector to meet decarbonization and electrification targets, but the amount of time it has taken the department to issue this non-controversial order is inexcusable. Proper regulatory review is important, but it must not become an obstacle to the work that must be undertaken to safeguard our future.”