Holyoke Gas & Electric received the Massachusetts Clean Energy Week “Utility Company of the Year” award, and the Holyoke City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a resolution supporting local control of municipal utilities and to send that resolution to Governor Maura T. Healey, the governor’s office and the state delegation.

The award and a proclamation from the governor were presented to HG&E representatives at the start of the council’s Oct. 21 meeting, and councilors then took up a council order and accompanying communication calling on the state to respect local authority for municipal electric utilities. The council voted to receive and adopt the order and forward the attached resolution to the state delegation and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Why it matters: Holyoke Gas & Electric is the city’s municipal utility. The council’s action is a formal local-government expression of support for municipal utilities and signals the city’s interest in weighing state energy policy and low‑carbon implementation in ways that preserve local authority.

Jim Lavelle, speaking for Holyoke Gas & Electric, thanked the council for its support of the utility’s renewable-energy work and economic development outreach. “Kate does a great job working with our economic development group here in Holyoke to get them word out about why the people should be thinking of investing here in Holyoke,” Lavelle said. Katie Sullivan Craven and Steve Roy joined Lavelle at the podium during the presentation.

After the presentation, Councilor Bartley moved to take items 20 and 51 out of order so the council could vote on the resolution; the motion to suspend rules and proceed was approved by voice vote. Bartley then moved that the council receive and adopt the order and refer the attached resolution to the governor, the state delegation and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs; that motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote described in the clerk’s record as unanimous.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to receive and adopt the order and forward the attached resolution to the governor, state delegation and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs — approved (unanimous, roll call recorded by the clerk).

What the council sent: The adopted communication and attached resolution urges the governor and state officials to recognize and support municipal utilities’ local authority while pursuing Massachusetts’ low‑carbon goals. The council requested that the mayor and clerk forward the resolution to the governor’s office, the state delegation and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Background: During the presentation Councillor Sullivan referenced the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition award ceremony in Boston and read a gubernatorial citation presented to Holyoke Gas & Electric. The citation on the proclamation page names Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kimberly Driscoll and congratulates HG&E for being named utility company of the year.

The council took no additional policy action on energy matters at the meeting; the adopted resolution is a communication to state officials.

Ending note: Councilors and HG&E staff exchanged congratulations and attendees recognized the award as an example of the municipal utility’s role in local economic development and clean-energy work.