Crunch time for Massachusetts energy debate

WITH ONLY DAYS left before the Legislature adjourns for the year, lots of eyes are on a House-Senate conference committee working on a sweeping energy bill that will touch on everything from how much natural gas we need to the role of hydroelectricity and renewables in the state’s energy mix.

Here are five perspectives on what’s at stake and what the state should do.

New England leads climate-change battle

Liz Stanton of Synapse Energy Economics in Cambridge says Massachusetts and the New England region should maintain their heading as national leaders in energy policies that combat climate change.

Michael Whatley, of the industry-backed Consumer Energy Alliance, argues for allowing more natural gas supplies — and he takes a whack at Karenna Gore, who was arrested recently protesting a pipeline project in West Roxbury.

Hydro is key

Martin Murray, of the Northern Pass project, says the hydroelectricity it will deliver is vital to the state’s clean energy future.

Clashing views on what legislation will do electric bills 

Former state environment officials Ken Kimmell of the Union of Concerned Scientists and Daniel Esty, a professor of environmental law and policy at Yale University, say the legislation will reduce electricity costs.