Biofuel Initiative to Be Announced Monday

By Jim O'Sullivan03:22PM / Sunday, November 04, 2007Print Story | Email Story

State House News Service BOSTON - State leaders are preparing to announce a major effort to lure biofuel companies, focusing on incentives for the production of non-corn-based ethanol. Expected to be announced Monday, the proposal seeks to encourage biofuel investment by stimulating demand. Officials are hoping the plan can reap environmental benefits while nurturing an industry that capitalizes on in-state natural resources. Gov. Deval Patrick said last week that the plan will pursue cellulosic ethanol, a non-corn-based biofuel, using resources the state can rely on, including cranberries, algae and switchgrass. "The idea is to try to make a more robust market for alternative fuels, and really set a benchmark for how we might approach this as a nation, particularly cellulosic ethanol," Patrick told the News Service. The plan leans on a study commissioned by U.S. Rep. William Delahunt's office that finds Massachusetts poised to host an industry on the rise as concerns about climate change and oil dependence increase. Last week, Senate President Therese Murray said the biofuels effort would reduce reliance on imported oil and encourage the use of fuel blended from agricultural sources. "We all have to recognize that Massachusetts is simply not going to be a major producer of corn in this country, especially when compared to the states in the Midwest and Great Plains. Massachusetts does, however, have a number of plentiful agricultural sources for the next generation of biofuels," including wood chips, cranberries and algae, Murray said during a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. A number of companies have already started commercializing research in the conversion of agricultural products into fuel, and earlier this month a group of clean-tech associations coalesced to form the New England Clean Energy Council, a group expected to push for tax incentives and advanced renewable portfolio standards. In July, Delahunt met on Beacon Hill with top lawmakers and Patrick aides, discussing the importance of biodiesel as a way to ease the need for foreign oil, which many say compromises U.S. foreign policy. During a meeting in House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi's office, they discussed incentives like infrastructure improvements. Later, DiMasi said the state would focus "some on the production side and some on the refinery side." A DiMasi spokesman said the biofuel effort was "a natural offshoot" of DiMasi's energy reform bill, which lawmakers say could emerge from committee next week. With employment rates that still trail the national recovery, Massachusetts policymakers are aggressively pursing "new economy" sectors like stem-cell research and biofuel development as new job generators. A biotechnology caucus has formed in the Legislature, and Patrick and lawmakers have repeatedly entreated that industry to press its case on the Hill. A spokesman for Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles declined comment. With the Patrick administration's emphasis on clean energy, biofuel appears ripe for attention. Struggling cranberry growers could see a new market for the crops grown widely in southeastern Massachusetts. "Our belief is that there's lots of ways to launch bold energy legislation which helps to create a strong market for both clean energy generation and the companies that develop technologies that enable clean energy generation," said Nick d'Arbeloff, co-executive director of the New England Clean Energy Council. Under an executive order Patrick signed earlier this year, starting with the winter of 2007-2008, the state will use bio-heat products with a minimum blend of 3 percent bio-based materials for all heating applications that use No. 2 fuel, and 10 percent bio-heat blend by 2012. State House sources said an announcement was originally scheduled for last week, but was pushed back after the Red Sox won the World Series.

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Berkshire County to Elect DA, Governor, More in Primary Election

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
11:01AM / Monday, August 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and beyond will elect a Massachusetts governor, attorney general, district attorney for Berkshire County, and other positions in the 2026 state election.

The City Council OK’d the issuance of the State Primary Election warrant, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and designated polling locations, hours, and police details.

The early voting period for the state primaries will be Aug. 22-28, while early voting for the Nov. 3 state election will be held Oct. 17-30.

In the primary election, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election held on Nov. 3.

The following positions will be on the primary ballot:

Senator in Congress for the Commonwealth
Governor for the Commonwealth
Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth
Attorney General for the Commonwealth
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth
Treasurer of State for the Commonwealth
Auditor for the Commonwealth
Representative in Congress for the First District
Governor's Councillor for the Eighth District
Senator in General Court for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts
Representative in General Court for the Second Berkshire District
District Attorney for Berkshire County
Register of Probate for the Berkshire Middle District

There are no challengers on the Democratic primary ballot for the re-election of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.

On the Republican primary ballot, Michael Minogue of Hamilton and Brian Shortsleeve or Barnstable are vying for the gubernatorial nomination to take on Maura Healey in November; there are no other GOP primary races involving the Berkshires.

As there are no Republican nominees on the primary ballot for secretary of state or auditor, and no independent running in the general election, meaning the primary will essentially determine the winner in those two elections.

For U.S. senator, Edward Markey is being challenged by Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary; the winner will face off against John Deaton of Bolton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

For the Massachusetts 1st District representative in Congress, Richard Neal is being challenged by Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley; the winner will face off against independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.

Closer to home, Paul Mark is unchallenged for state Senate and Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis for state representatives in the Democratic primary, but John Barrett III is being challenged by Andrew Fitch in the 1st Berkshire District.

Tara Jacobs of North Adams is being challenged as District 8 Governor's Councillor by Michael Fenton of Springfield.

There are no Republican or independent candidates for these seats so the winners will essentially be determined by the Democratic primary.

Polling locations for Pittsfield's 7 wards are as usual; polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. during the primaries on Sept. 1.

Pittsfield polling locations: