Mass. Legislature says no to initiative

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The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy has decided not to act on a citizen petition that would limit clean energy development in the state. The measure is too broad and would cut off essential incentives for renewable energy, the committee said.

The initiative calls for a mandate that would exclude facilities producing more than 250 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour from qualifying for the state renewable portfolio standard. That would also eliminate them from qualifying for tax credits crucial for affordable operation.

Initiative proponents can still push for inclusion on the November ballot, but they need 11,000 signatures to do it.