As wind and solar initiatives continue to grow in popularity, Jim has been pushing to make one of the state’s oldest energy sources new again by encouraging research and investment in hydrokinetics – which is the harnessing of energy from moving water.  Massachusetts is poised to be a serious global contender in this emerging field as energy experts have calculated that there is more untapped hydrokinetic energy off our coast than what can be generated by 10 coal-fired plants.  Recognizing this potential Jim has introduced legislation encouraging research and investment in hydrokinetic and marine renewable energy technology.  Meanwhile, Jim is proud to have helped secure $6 million in bonds for Scituate and Marshfield that that were used to promote creation of a solar energy site in Scituate, and which funded an energy conservation program in Marshfield.  Jim is also a proponent of local control on zoning decisions for wind energy facilities.  Experience in Hull, and soon Scituate, demonstrates that communities will support creation of turbines in sensible areas.