"This issue is about jobs and so much more," said Mass AREA founding
member Gary Sullivan, President of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)
Local 369. "It's about making sure we have abundant electricity so that
hard-working families no longer pay a de facto, regressive tax from high
electricity costs. It's about making sure the lights stay on so that our
poorest and most frail citizens are protected," he said. UWUA 369 is
affiliated with the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and based in Braintree.
A wide array of organizations have recently warned of the serious
electricity issues that face Massachusetts and New England, concerning
high prices, potential blackouts, and an uncertain supply. These groups
include the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Council, and ISO-New
England, the nonprofit operator of the region's energy transmission grid.
The Mass AREA has compiled the energy challenges facing Massachusetts on
its website (link below).
Robert Ruddock, Executive Vice President with the Associated Industries of
Massachusetts, which represents 7,600 employers including major
manufacturers in the state and is a founding member of Mass AREA, also
noted the seriousness of the current situation. "We need to act quickly
and aggressively, while also resolving to sustain our efforts for years to
come. Massachusetts will not remain a great place to do business if our
energy infrastructure comes to resemble that of a second-class country,"
said Ruddock.
"For far too long the mantra of special interests has been
'not-in-my-backyard.' These NIMBY activists have had undue influence in
the state when it comes to debating new energy projects," said Mass AREA
founding member Robert Hallisey, a retired Massachusetts Department of
Health official. "Mass AREA will provide balance to the public discourse,
pointing out the public good that many projects have and urging policy
makers to move ahead with new ideas and proposals for power generation and
transmission."
"The coalition will also support maintaining our current power facilities
in the state so we do not become more dependent on out of state sources
that are less reliable and could increase pollution," said Hallisey.
Through the development and promotion of public policy issue briefs,
grassroots and media campaigns, and other educational activities, Mass
AREA will pursue a multifaceted agenda that includes:
-- Supporting policies that will aid in the development of new, viable
energy sources to bridge the growing supply gap and meet the growing
demand for electricity.
-- Promoting a balanced portfolio of cost effective base-load and
renewable energy sources.
-- Supporting the continued safe operations of existing power generation
facilities in Massachusetts, including the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
in Plymouth and other facilities throughout the state.
-- Promoting energy efficiency and conservation practices to be applied at
home and work.
"The mission and purpose of Mass AREA is to raise awareness with
policymakers and the general public about the economic and social benefits
that will come from increasing the supply of in-state generated
electricity, and the critical need to establishing it soon," said David
Bissaillon, President and CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, which
represents more than 1,300 businesses, professional firms, and
organizations, and is an advisory member of Mass AREA.