Attorney General Martha Coakley's Statement on Department of Public Utilities Decision

BOSTON - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) decision to approve the first utility company proposal to own and operate solar energy installations, as authorized by the Green Communities Act of 2008. The decision allows Western Massachusetts Electric Company's (WMECO) plan to construct and deploy approximately 6 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic power throughout its service territory.

"We appreciate the DPU's consideration and approval of the settlement reached between the Attorney General and Western Massachusetts Electric Company to develop the states first utility owned solar generation. The agreement and decision represent an important step to advance the development of renewable electric generation while employing cost controls and other protections for ratepayers," said Attorney General Coakley. "We are continuing to work with Governor Patrick and the distribution companies on furthering these goals through the development of a statewide solar pool that has the ability to further drive down costs and result in larger scale development of solar generation in the Commonwealth."

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