BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) accompanied five other members of the State Senate to meet with members of the National Assembly of Québec to discuss regional cooperation on energy and climate change. The conference, led by Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and President of the National Assembly of Québec Jacques Chagnon, is the first in a series of intergovernmental conferences on issues of regional importance.
Senator Moore was joined by Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester), Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), and Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport).
“The Province of Québec is a unique partner with Massachusetts on many matters including the economy, energy and education,” said Sen. Moore. “Our discussions resulted in the signing of a joint resolution between both Legislatures to work together towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions while exploring options that would save Massachusetts residents money on their utility bills. I am honored to be part of this dialogue and look forward to continuing our discussions in the near future.”
During the meeting, experts from Hydro-Québec and the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, along with David Cash, Dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, gave presentations on the regional environmental impacts of energy-related activities.
Approximately 97% of Québec’s electrical generating facilities operate on renewable energy. Massachusetts, which is a net importer of electricity, has experienced significant increases to electricity rates in recent years. The resolution directs both governments to examine the possibility and feasibility of incorporating Québec’s hydroelectricity into Massachusetts’ energy portfolio. Aside from the potential cost savings to consumers, this initiative also aligns with the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050.
“Québec and Massachusetts both have the intellectual knowledge, educational institutions, and political will to reduce greenhouse gases and expand renewable clean energy solutions to benefit all of our residents,” said Senate President Rosenberg. “I thank the members of the Assemblée Nationale du Québec for a weekend of constructive dialogue on the important issues of energy and climate change.”
“I am very pleased with the excellent outcome of the initial meeting of our new association with the State of Massachusetts. I have seen that we share the same challenges not only on the issues of energy and climate change, but also in many other areas. The bilateral agreement between our assemblies is a historic one in both its nature and scope. It is an honour and a privilege for us to usher in this new era with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It marks the beginning of valuable collaboration between parliamentarians from Massachusetts and Québec,” said President of the National Assembly of Québec Jacques Chagnon.
The second session of the Conference will be held in Boston. The themes will be higher education and tourism.