My first read of the new energy law in Massachusetts is that it’s bigger and worse than our own big, bad SB3. But you have to love quotes like this:


“The cleanest power plant is the one that never gets built,” said Sam Krasnow, attorney for Environment Northeast, a research and advocacy group. “Energy efficiency is the cheapest and cleanest energy resource available.”


Let’s extend the logic

  • The shortest book is the one that never gets written
  • The cleanest politician is the one who never runs
  • the safest battle is the one that’s never fought
  • the healthiest donut is the one that’s never eaten

Of course, all of these ignore the benefits that can accrue from building, writing, running, fighting, eating. They also ignore the costs of forgoing those actions. “For want of a nail…