Every time you flick a light switch, you send money to Texas, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia.

Wouldn’t it be better to keep that money local? That’s the question Sylvia Broude asked.

Broude, the executive director of Toxics Action Center, was in town Wednesday, taking part in a statewide push to convince legislators to make it easier for individuals and companies to invest in renewable energy.

The press conference in Fall River — held in Kennedy Park to allow a good view of the coal piles at the Brayton Point Power Station — was one of six held around the state in preparation for a hearing on energy regulations set for Sept. 29 in Boston.

Green energy, especially solar and wind power, has the advantage of being both renewable and of keeping local money local, Broude said.

She was joined by Alex Papali of Clean Water Action, who said energy produced by coal, gas and oil all drain capital from the local economy.

“Our energy dollars are all flowing in the wrong direction,” Papali said. “We cannot afford to lose that money.”

Read the rest of the story at the Herald News website

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