Energy Policymaking During a Pandemic: Legislative Challenges and Opportunities
COVID-19 has created immense and unique challenges in virtually every facet of our lives. Beyond the public health impacts, the pandemic has affected state legislatures, including the work of energy and environmental policymakers, and posed economic and operational challenges for the energy industry. How is COVID-19 currently impacting the legislative process in Massachusetts? What are the prospects for advancing energy legislation in the remaining days of the legislative session in light of other priorities? What is the proper role of state government to address economic impacts, including those in the clean energy industry, and how can consumers be protected? As we look to 2021, what lessons can we draw from these last few months that could inform future energy and climate legislation?
Hear from the current Chairs of the Massachusetts General Court’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, Sen. Michael J. Barrett and Rep. Thomas A. Golden, Jr. on the Committee’s work before and since the COVID outbreak. Learn about their legislative priorities and the issues they anticipate in the 2021-2022 legislative session. Get a firsthand account of life as a legislator in these challenging times.
Moderator: Kathryn Chelminski, PhD, Senior Manager – New Market Development, Ameresco