Sunny Days for the IOP Policy Program
Michael Wornow '20 at
the Massachusetts State House
The Technology and Innovation Policy group worked with Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr to evaluate the current landscape of solar energy installations in Senator Cyr's district (Cape Cod and islands) and offer recommendations for working with Historic Committees that have opposed the expansion of solar in his district. The group’s final report will include an overview of the history and legal framework surrounding Historic Committees in Massachusetts, case studies of towns that had succeeded or failed at installing solar, and a list of legislative proposals to help residents work with Historic Committees to increase the solar capabilities of the Cape while preserving their towns' historic aesthetics.
At the beginning of the semester, the group chairs, Michael Wornow '20 and Neha Reddy '18, visited the State House to meet with Senator Cyr's chief of staff and IOP staff alumnus Patrick Johnson and discuss the scope of the commission.
Michael is a sophomore in Kirkland House majoring in computer science and minoring in statistics, and has participated in the Technology Policy group since his freshman fall. He originally joined because of his interest in exploring the intersection of technology, society, and the law, and has really enjoyed getting the opportunity to research and write about real-world issues with a group of other students passionate about making an impact through the Policy program.
Neha is a senior in Leverett House majoring in molecular and cellular biology and minoring in government. She has participated in the Technology Policy Group since her freshman fall. She originally joined out of an interest in bridging the gap between the scientific and political communities. She has greatly enjoyed the opportunities afforded to her by the IOP, from meeting students with similar interests to gaining real-world experience in the field of tech policy.
Neha, Michael and the other 15 students in the group are excited to work with Senator Cyr and present our findings to him and his staff at the end of the semester!
By Michael Wornow '20