MMWEC’s original responsibilities included advocacy for the interests of municipal utilities in various state, regional and federal forums, and public power advocacy remains an important service provided by MMWEC today. The MMWEC staff includes many seasoned public power professionals who have been involved with public power policy development for several decades.

Through the Legislative Committee of the MMWEC Board of Directors, MMWEC interacts with state and federal legislators during the promulgation of laws and regulations affecting the interests of public power. This interaction includes the development and delivery of fact sheets on various issues, face-to-face meetings with legislators and their staffs, and testimony before legislative committees.Members of MMWEC’s staff serve on the various committees where the policies and procedures governing New England’s wholesale power markets are developed, ensuring that issues affecting public power interests are raised and recognized as early as possible. MMWEC’s role as an advocate often requires participation in state and federal regulatory proceedings, and occasionally leads the organization into state and federal courts to protect the rights and interests of public power.

While MMWEC represents the interests of its member and participant Massachusetts municipal utilities, it also works with other public power utilities throughout New England, as well as regional and national public power organizations, to address public power issues with maximum efficiency and economy.