Baker signs energy bill; hydropower, wind farms key

BOSTON – Gov. Charlie Baker signed an energy bill into law on Aug. 8 that would make Massachusetts significantly more reliant on hydropower from Canada, as well as wind power.

The bill requires the big utilities – namely Eversource and National Grid – to buy as much as 1,200 megawatts of “clean energy.” Most of this would likely be in the form of hydropower produced by big dams in Canada, but wind farms in northern New England and upstate New York could also bid for the electricity, The Boston Globe reported.

The bill also compels the utilities to sign long-term contracts with offshore wind-farm developers for as much as 1,600 megawatts of power, a priority for House leaders who hope to spur the creation of a new industry in the state. In Rhode Island, work is underway for an offshore wind project near Block Island by Deepwater Wind LLC. •

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