Associated Industries of Massachusetts has launched an all-out attack on the Patrick administration's aggressive renewable energy programs, saying they'll cost electric ratepayers billions of dollars and represent a stealth tax on residents and companies. In a letter filed with the state's Department of Energy Resources, AIM objected to the administration's move to impose specific guidelines on how much solar power that ratepayers should eventually buy to help reduce carbon pollution.

Associated Industries of Massachusetts has launched an all-out attack on the Patrick administration's aggressive renewable energy programs, saying they'll cost electric ratepayers billions of dollars and represent a stealth tax on residents and companies.

In a letter filed with the state's Department of Energy Resources, AIM objected to the administration's move to impose specific guidelines on how much solar power that ratepayers should eventually buy to help reduce carbon pollution.

But AIM broadened its solar-power complaint to an all-out criticism of the administration's "plethora of uncoordinated, conflicting and experimental (renewable energy) programs, all paid by ratepayers."

AIM rattled off references to plans for a new smart grid, energy efficiency, metering issues and other programs aimed at reducing the state's reliance on carbon-spewing fuels. The net result could be ratepayers forking over "billions of dollars" over the next three years, AIM charged.

"Many of these programs should be labeled what they are - a tax on the ratepayers of Massachusetts that add costs and transfers money to favored industries without public debate," said AIM's letter, written by Robert Rio, the group's senior vice president and counsel.

In an interview, Rio said AIM favors increased use of renewable fuels, but that it shouldn't raise electric rates that already are among the highest in the nation.

"Who is keeping track of all these costs?" Rio said of the new programs, estimating they could cost nearly $2 billion.

Robert Keough, spokesman for Patrick's executive office of energy and the environment, said Rio was simply wrong to say the administration is imposing new requirements on its own. The recently passed Green Communities Act stipulates that the state should use more solar power and take other steps to reduce pollution, he said.

As for renewable programs costing ratepayers possibly billions of dollars, Keough said that those estimates are "meaningless".

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