Attorney Generals' offices press releases: on Energy & Oil


Deval Patrick: Develop solar power projects to generate 250 MW by 2017

Attorney General Martha Coakley and Governor Deval Patrick today announced a commitment to jointly develop large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power installations through a new statewide entity operating in collaboration with the state's four investor-owned electric distribution utilities. This plan will maximize the benefits of renewable power for ratepayers across the state authorized by the Green Communities Act and help meet Governor Patrick's goal of 250 MW of solar generation installed in the Commonwealth 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."

Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov Jul 16, 2009

Martha Coakley: Develop large scale utility-backed solar power projects

Attorney General Martha Coakley and Governor Deval Patrick today announced a commitment to jointly develop large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power installations through a new statewide entity operating in collaboration with the state's four investor-owned electric distribution utilities. This plan will maximize the benefits of renewable power for ratepayers across the state authorized by the Green Communities Act and help meet Governor Patrick's goal of 250 MW of solar generation installed in the Commonwealth 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."

Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov Jul 16, 2009

Martha Coakley: Greenhouse gases are pollutants that threaten public health

Coakley submitted comments in response to the EPA's proposed determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. On April 24, 2009, the EPA formally issued its proposed findings that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are pollutants that threaten public health and welfare.

"In the face of the compelling body of scientific evidence supporting an endangerment finding, this long-overdue proposal constitutes a significant and meaningful first step towards regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act," said Attorney General Coakley.

The EPA expressly characterized their proposed endangerment finding as a direct response to Massachusetts v. EPA, a Supreme Court decision which held that the EPA could not avoid deciding whether greenhouse gases endanger public health on grounds of economics or foreign policy, but must decide based on the issues identified in the Clean Air Act.

Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov Jun 23, 2009

Martha Coakley: Spent nuclear fuel is subject to terrorist attack

Attorney General Coakley's Office filed a brief in the US Court of Appeals, challenging a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decision denying a Petition for Rulemaking that Massachusetts filed in 2006. The Attorney General's Office requested that the NRC address new and significant information regarding the risks of severe accidents in the spent fuel pools at nuclear plants, including Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee, caused by terrorist attack, human error, equipment malfunction, or natural disaster. The brief was submitted jointly with the States of New York and Connecticut.

"Our appeal is intended to ensure that the NRC give due consideration on these important environmental and public safety issues," said Coakley. "While nuclear energy will undoubtedly be a part of our regional and national energy landscape, the NRC needs to change its rules to ensure the agency adequately addresses the risks of severe accidents involving spent fuel storage pools caused by terrorist attack and other events.

Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov Jun 6, 2009

Shannon Liss-Riordan: Establish a Green Bank to invest in clean energy

Shannon plans to lead Attorneys General nationwide in the fight nationwide to combat climate change and protect our environment. As Attorney General, Shannon will establish a Green Bank to invest in clean energy and environmental justice projects, funded by penalties collected from enforcement actions against polluters. She will expand on Maura Healey's litigation against Exxon Mobil and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for polluting our environment and putting our climate in jeopardy.
Source: Mass. 2022 Attorney General press release ShannonForAG.com Sep 6, 2022

Bob Ferguson: Trump's clean energy rule is neither affordable nor clean

[On climate change]: "The Trump Administration's new 'Affordable Clean Energy' rule is neither affordable nor clean. It's a thinly veiled attempt to loosen restrictions on coal power plants, allowing them to operate much longer than they should, increasing air pollution and carbon emissions. Trump's EPA repeatedly falls short of its duty to protect the environment, and it shows--Washington has won seven cases challenging the EPA's shortsighted decisions."
Source: Washington Attorney General press release: "Clean Power" Aug 13, 2019

Kamala Harris: Criminal prosecution of pipeline companies for oil spills

Harris is investigating whether criminal activity was part of last month's oil spill on the Santa Barbara County coast.

Harris got a first-hand look at the clean-up efforts. Harris walked along the coastline, where crews are still dealing with the damage of more than 100,000 gallons of crude oil spilled. She met with the District Attorney to discuss the possibility of initiating criminal prosecutions relating to that spill. Harris said her office is looking into the company responsible, Plains All-American Pipeline, and said all options are on the table.

"It's something that we're taking very seriously and we've got boots on the ground. I've got almost a dozen attorneys combined with folks who are helping with our independent investigation with the local & state & federal agencies," said Harris.

A federal report released this week shows the ruptured portion of pipeline was corroded and its walls were at thin as 1/16th of an inch in some places. Harris called that information troubling.

Source: KCBX on Calif. Attorney General press release "Oil Spill" Jun 4, 2015

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