Joint action agency warns proposed governance changes would erode local control

A representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company told the committee that proposed governance changes would undermine the agency’s mission and jeopardize local control.

Jim Leiden, senior administrative and regulatory coordinator at MMWEC/EMWEC, testified in opposition to House 3514 and Senate 2295, which he said would “significantly alter” the agency’s governance and impose burdensome review standards. He said the bills would increase gubernatorial appointments, shorten elected board terms from three years to one, and subject projects to Department of Public Utilities‑style review standards not applied to similar entities. "These reforms shift them from a locally driven joint action agency to something like a state authority," Leiden said, and he urged rejection of the proposals.

Leiden described MMWEC’s role in financing and developing projects, saying the agency has issued largely tax‑exempt financing that supported renewable projects such as Berkshire Wind and Cotton Solar Field. He warned that weakening confidentiality protections and imposing novel review standards could deter market participants and slow project approvals.

The committee received written comments and Leiden welcomed questions; there was no formal committee vote during the hearing.