Renewable Energy comes from sources such as sun, wind and falling water - sources available in an abundant supply.  Renewable energy benefits our environment, health, and economy. 

Massachusetts has established some of the strictest pollution controls for conventional fossil fueled energy generation facilities, but renewable energy means even less pollution.  Increased renewable energy use in Massachusetts would reduce harmful air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from our homes, industries, communities, and transportation systems.  Investment in locally available renewable energy can generate more jobs, make businesses more sustainable, and reduce consumer costs more than continued reliance on imported fossil fuels. 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs provides the following brief summary of renewable energy sources as classified in the 2008 Green Communities Act:

	Biomass Wood and agricultural crops that can be burned or converted to gas for power generation. Learn more from the Department of Energy Resources >>
	Fuel Cells Electro-chemical devices (similar to batteries) that use a continuous supply of hydrogen to produce electricity.
	Hydropower Harnesses the power of directed water flows to produce electricity. Learn more from the Massachusetts Technology Collabrative >>
	Landfill Gas Methane gas that forms in landfills from the decay of organic materials. The gas can be collected and used for power generation. Learn more from the Department of Energy Resources >>
	Photovoltaic (PVs) The conversion of sunlight directly to electricity, using "solar cells" made from semiconductor materials. Learn more from the Department of Energy Resources >>
	Wind power Harnessing the wind to generate electricity. Wind turbines produce electricity when wind turns blades that are connected to a shaft that drives a generator. Learn more from the Department of Energy Resources >>