June 25, 2007
New clean energy council seen as boon for local firms
By Adam Smartschan
Trade group would have ear of legislators
Leaders of the region's clean energy businesses are excited about the launch of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Council this month.
"If done right," one said, the still-formative council could give a unified voice to the growing sector.
Just getting started
Initial plans for the Council were announced at a June 15 roundtable at the offices of Boston law firm Foley Hoag LLP. The brain-storming session was attended by more than 100 people, ranging from representatives from clean energy companies and advocacy groups to utility companies and venture capitalists.
The meeting was part of a plan to determine the aim and focus of the group before its actual formation, according to Linda Plano, the associate director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center, which helped coordinate the event. She said she expects the official unveiling of the group to come on Oct. 29 at MIT's Conference on Clean Energy.
In the meantime, the Council is still soliciting opinions from all corners on its leadership, charter and specific mission.
"(The Council is getting) input from stakeholders across the community to make sure it actually does what the community needs," Plano said.
Though it's still early in the formation process, the council will have its voice heard on Beacon Hill sooner, rather than later. Legislators have already told Plano they expect the council to be a policy resource as early as this summer.
"They said we better make sure we're talking to them," Plano said. "It's going to be important to be gathering input, but also synthesizing it. We want to have a useful presence."
Businessmen speak
Scott Pearson, the CEO of Southbor-ough-based fuel cell manufacturer Protonex Technology Corp., hopes it will. He attended the June 15 meeting, and said the state lags behind some of its more progressive counterparts in dealing with renewable energy businesses like his.
He cautioned that any trade group formed with the intention of assisting clean energy entrepreneurs will have to deal with both their business and environmental needs - Pearson described them as being as different as "Greenpeace" and "pure capitalism." But, though the Council is still in its infancy, he's optimistic a well-run organization can fulfill both needs.
"You can have them both if it's done right," Pearson said.
Charlie Cary, a principal at Biomass Combustion Systems Inc., said he thinks a new trade group could help businesses like his. Though it's based in Worcester, the wood combustion technology business does very little business in Massachusetts due to air quality regulations that "aren't friendly" to moderate-sized boilers.
"Any organization that somebody like me can go through to get my perspective heard, I like," he said.
Leaders of the region's clean energy businesses are excited about the launch of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Council this month.
"If done right," one said, the still-formative council could give a unified voice to the growing sector.
Just getting started
Initial plans for the Council were announced at a June 15 roundtable at the offices of Boston law firm Foley Hoag LLP. The brain-storming session was attended by more than 100 people, ranging from representatives from clean energy companies and advocacy groups to utility companies and venture capitalists.
The meeting was part of a plan to determine the aim and focus of the group before its actual formation, according to Linda Plano, the associate director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center, which helped coordinate the event. She said she expects the official unveiling of the group to come on Oct. 29 at MIT's Conference on Clean Energy.
In the meantime, the Council is still soliciting opinions from all corners on its leadership, charter and specific mission.
Scott Pearson, CEO Protonex Technology Corp. in Southborough.
Though it's still early in the formation process, the council will have its voice heard on Beacon Hill sooner, rather than later. Legislators have already told Plano they expect the council to be a policy resource as early as this summer.
"They said we better make sure we're talking to them," Plano said. "It's going to be important to be gathering input, but also synthesizing it. We want to have a useful presence."
Businessmen speak
Scott Pearson, the CEO of Southbor-ough-based fuel cell manufacturer Protonex Technology Corp., hopes it will. He attended the June 15 meeting, and said the state lags behind some of its more progressive counterparts in dealing with renewable energy businesses like his.
He cautioned that any trade group formed with the intention of assisting clean energy entrepreneurs will have to deal with both their business and environmental needs - Pearson described them as being as different as "Greenpeace" and "pure capitalism." But, though the Council is still in its infancy, he's optimistic a well-run organization can fulfill both needs.
"You can have them both if it's done right," Pearson said.
Charlie Cary, a principal at Biomass Combustion Systems Inc., said he thinks a new trade group could help businesses like his. Though it's based in Worcester, the wood combustion technology business does very little business in Massachusetts due to air quality regulations that "aren't friendly" to moderate-sized boilers.
"Any organization that somebody like me can go through to get my perspective heard, I like," he said.
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