Blog Entry
End of Legislative Session
Regrettably House Bill 1004 is officially dead for this session . Thank you for your ongoing and recent support. Due to the many calls and grassroots effort in late June, Rep. Benson and many courageous co- sponsors were able to by pass the Licensure committee and tacked the bills language on as Amendment #12 with the House Net Metering Bill H 4198 . Within hours Executives of the IBEW, the Building Trades Council , and AFL-CIO hand delivered letters and sent emails to all house members urging them to oppose the amendment and had their lobbyists out in force the next day. Rep. Benson withdrew the amendment once it was made apparent to her on the floor this solar license provision would be soundly defeated by a majority of house members. Next steps will be drafting new solar license legislation this Fall for introduction in January 2013. This is now the fourth year , the second consecutive full legislative session for a solar licensure law. Maybe three sessions and six years is when reason will prevail ... the legislature knows its not going away . Lets get right on it this Fall, watch www.masolarlaws this summer. There are only 88 years left to establish Solar as a 21st century trade in Massachusetts. There is still no news from Suffolk Superior Court on their decision to our motion for summary judgement of the lawsuit. Stay tuned to the website and keep in mind the lawsuit merely re -establishes the 30 year precedent of solar installation management under the existing construction trade laws of the Commonwealth, in effect arguing the Board of State Examiners of Electricians cannot overturn multiple standing regulations for solar General Contracting in the state using their 2009 advisory letter to the head of the Boston local electrical union as an enforceable edict. The lawsuit simply restores the status quo , the legislation establishes solar installer competence and consumer protection.
(2012-07-12 17:51:41)