Worcester Business Journal

20 Worcester Business Journal • August 15, 2016 www.wbjournal.com Join the WBJ's LinkedIn discussion group by scanning the code to the left on your smartphone. To scan the code, you need the NeoReader. Visit get.neoreader.com to download it onto your phone. Want to participate in the conversation? F L A S H P O L L T A L K B A C K OUT-OF-STATE ENERGY Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts legislature have created a new energy law calling for 1,600 megawatts of in-state offshore wind power and 1,200 megawatts of hyrdopower and onshore wind, which likely will have to be imported from beyond Massachusetts. "We need to take advantage of as many sources of clean, renewable energy as we can, both in-state and external. Global warming is real, despite a tiny number of scientists and the political hacks, that are all beholden to the power and oil industries, who say it isn't. We need to act now. It may already be too late." Poll commenter Mark Vincent PARKING DISPUTE Worcester is at a tipping point with downtown parking as the city has been prompted to consolidate management of its downtown parking under one organization and examine raising prices. "I agree that it is very important to consolidate parking/parking issues under one overall parking administration." WBJournal commenter JaneR Do you agree with importing in large amounts of renewable power from out of state? Look for energy in Massachusetts M assachusetts' final energy bill from the formal 2016 legislative session calls for the procurement of 1,200 megawatts of hydropower and onshore wind electricity that would likely be imported from out of state. When polled, WBJ readers slightly preferred the idea of staying within Massachusetts' borders for electricity. COMMENTS: T he city is pushing for the redevelopment of the Worcester Auditorium and will open the building's doors to tours this month following a request for interest from developers in June. However, this call for ideas stipulates that restrictions will be put into place to maintain the main foyer as a war memorial and preserve the historic nature of the property elsewhere. When asked, WBJ readers voted in favor of loosening those restrictions to spur development. Loosen historic restrictions for Worcester Auditorium Does the city need to loosen historic restrictions to get a developer for the Worcester Auditorium? COMMENTS: Yes. It will be too difficult to find a new use with these restrictions. 32% Yes. These are reliable sources of energy that we need to add to the mix now. 32% "Another government intrusion that will raise costs and make Massachusetts less competitive for manufacturing and large industry. The renewable power industry is already flourishing on the current set of governmental incentives." "Seems like asking for RFP's with the stipulation that maintaining the historic nature of the building will be a priority in consideration. Then see what ingenuity developers can use to maintain the historic while creating something of value in the future." Yes. The city is losing money on this property every year and it must get redeveloped. 25% "Any reliable renewable energy sources are good. I think the average person is unsure about the cost differences and the reliability. If these issues are adequately addressed, then I think people will be fine with this. Consumers see two things: availability and cost." No We cannot cast aside the past for a quicker turnaround on finding a developer. 11% No. The historic architecture is what makes the building special. 32% Yes. We cannot rely on solar alone to provide enough energy. 15% No. We should be building up more local sources of renewable energy. 20% No. The government should not be mandating increased renewable energy at all. 33% "This should not be viewed as an either/or proposition. Of course, we should continue to develop more local sources of renewable energy. In the meantime, it makes sense to import what we are not yet able to provide locally." "Hopefully, the right developer will be able to create a concept that, when presented to the necessary boards, will be received with open minds!" "The city can keep the historic restrictions and maintain an old facility to abandon and fall to pieces over time, or allow real development with value on the open market."

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