Deval Patrick on Energy & Oil Democratic Governor (MA) and presidential contender

Cap-and-trade via Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

PATRICK: First of all, my plan is built on things we actually did and accomplished. We joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in this region, on the first day I was in office, which is a cap-and-trade system. We used all of those proceeds to invest in energy efficiency in Massachusetts, retrofits, you know, tighter windows and doors, insulation, subsidies in particular for working people, incredibly meaningful in terms of their costs and their comfort. It also helped catalyze a new industry, a whole bunch of jobs. We closed the remaining coal fire power plants. We set very ambitious--indeed, the most ambitious goals in terms of reducing emissions, the most of any other state. They were goals that we were meant to achieve in eight years. We achieved them in three.

Massachusetts met Paris Climate rules while he was Governor

We went from 900,000 megawatts of alternative energy generation to 4.7 million megawatts of alternative energy, most of it solar, some wind. And in the meanwhile, we created this whole new tech industry, clean tech industry, which was one of the fastest growing in the commonwealth, and one of the reasons why we came out recession faster than most other states.

The only thing we haven't done, and that I am open to, is a carbon tax. I'm open to it. That might be, and some have suggested that's a better idea than a cap-and-trade. But in my view, it works best if we take, just as in the example I offered of the cap-and-trade system, if we use all of the proceeds to plow them into moving us faster to a green future.

$50 million to help Massachusetts deal with climate change

At Texaco: stop arguing about climate change & seek solution

I worked to make Texaco the first major oil company to stop arguing about the science of climate change and to join those in search of solutions.

At Coca Cola, I learned that I need not and would not leave my conscience at the door for any job. Most of the people I worked with shared those values.

Social justice was never far from my mission, even in those corporate settings. I know we made the workplace in both companies more fair and transparent.

Develop solar power projects to generate 250 MW by 2017

"Development of solar generation through a statewide pool will drive down costs through economies of scale and spread the costs and benefits across the broadest base of customers," said Attorney General Coakley.

"Solar power is a key component of our clean energy future," said Governor Deval Patrick; the project is "an innovative new model to bring renewable energy--and the jobs that come with it--across the state at the lowest cost possible."

Make Massachusetts a global center for alternative energy

Cut Energy costs and develop renewable energy

Support renewable energy like Cape Wind

Tax credits for energy efficient cars

Power plants are essential sources of electric power and good jobs, but they can run with fewer emissions. We will enforce regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, and work with all operators to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants across the entire region.

Foster alternative energy businesses

Convert state fleet to hybrids and fuel-efficient cars

Letter to Congress supporting renewable energy tax credit.

Congressional Summary:Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the tax credit for electricity produced from wind, biomass, geothermal or solar energy, landfill gas, trash, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities.

Proponent's Comments (Governor's Wind Energy Coalition letter of Nov. 15, 2011 signed by 23 governors):Although the tax credit for wind energy has long enjoyed bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Wind-related manufacturing is beginning to slow in our states because the credit has not yet been extended. If Congress pursues a last minute approach to the extension, the anticipated interruption of the credit's benefits will result in a significant loss of high-paying jobs in a growing sector of the economy. We strongly urge Congress to adopt a more consistent and longer-term federal tax policy to support wind energy development, such as H.R. 3307.

The leading wind project developers and manufacturers are slowing their plans for 2013 and beyond due to the current uncertainty. The ripple effect of this slow down means reduced orders for turbines and decreased business for the hundreds of manufacturers who have entered the wind industry in our states. When Congress allowed the tax credit to expire in 1999, 2001, and 2003, the development of new wind installations dropped significantly, between 73% and 93%, and thousands of jobs were lost. Providing renewable energy tax credits in order to provide consistency with conventional energy tax credits is the right policy to move the nation forward in an energy sector that offers global export opportunities and the ability to modernize a segment of our electric production infrastructure.