Legislators pursue energy, environment issues (Mass.)

[jpak]

http://www.townonline.com/brewster/homepage/8999010302657822719

A string of legislation being introduced in the new legislature could impact Cape-wide efforts to protect the environment and promote the development and use of clean energy.

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Patrick also said he would rejoin and sign the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a decision supported by environmental organizations. The initiative would reduce by 10 percent green house gas emissions produced by energy generating facilities in New England by 2009.

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Two bills proposed by O’Leary would encourage towns to invest in alternative energy technologies.

The first bill would enable municipalities to own power generating facilities. Currently municipalities can only build and lease the facility to a third party. The second bill would enable municipalities to sell any excess power generated back into the power grid.

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