This is a great look into how utilities wield their power on Beacon Hill, especially when they aren't being pushed to do more by @MassGovernor - I have a few additional thoughts I am going to add below #mapoli
It's a small thing, but key. The major MA utilities will generally register their opposition at Committee hearings to aggressive climate measures, then make their substantive arguments in one on one meetings with legislators, regulators and staff. Outside of the public's view. 
Advocates, other committee members and the public aren't there to refute claims. There is already a power imbalance in these debates as utilities are seen as experts, but what is too often lost is that expertise does not come without bias.
Trade associations are often used in climate debates to take the unpopular or politically toxic positions that their members want, but don't want directly connected with them. It's true for the respected trades/organizations, but it is especially true for newly formed groups.
All of this highlights the major obstacles to climate progress in Massachusetts - fear and lack of leadership. Legislators, whose attention is pulled multiple directions on many issues, fear making the wrong decisions on complex issues
Knowing that, and fearing themselves for what the future may look like, the utilities claim expertise and assure policymakers we can hit climate goals without legislative action.
Without leadership from the corner office, utilities are emboldened in their advocacy and actions. All of which has us losing precious time in the fight against climate change. In short, we need to act with urgency commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/time-f…
And this is yet another example of how our current leadership and political culture is failing to produce precisely that.
