After nearly two years of debates, negotiations, and last-minute stalling by Republicans in the state House of Representatives, the Massachusetts Legislature has sent a wide-ranging climate bill to the desk of Gov. Maura Healey, who has indicated she will sign the legislation.
The bill features major changes to the state’s permitting procedures for clean energy infrastructure and would make significant reforms to gas utility regulation, making it easier for the utilities to retire portions of the gas distribution network (S.2967). (See Mass. Clean Energy Permitting, Gas Reform Bill Back on Track.)
It also includes notable provisions supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure, authorizing a major procurement of battery storage resources, increasing the allowable length of offshore wind contracts, and boosting advanced transmission technologies and advanced metering infrastructure.
The House and Senate failed to reach an agreement before the end of formal sessions in the summer to reconcile separate climate bills passed through each chamber, but legislators continued work into the fall and announced a compromise in October. (See Mass. Lawmakers Fail to Pass Permitting, Gas Utility Reform.)
After the compromise bill passed the Senate by a vote of 38 to 2, Republicans in the House demanded a roll call vote, delaying its passage by three weeks. The House ultimately approved the bill with a vote of 128 to 17.
Climate and clean energy advocates in the state generally applauded the bill’s approval.
Kat Burnham of Advanced Energy United called the legislation “a crucial step forward,” adding that the permitting provisions “will eliminate the inefficient and duplicative processes that currently bog down clean energy projects.”
Jess Nahigian of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter commended the legislature for the gas reforms, saying the “reasonable restrictions on expanding our polluting methane gas system … will protect ratepayers, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and create healthier communities.”
Kyle Murray of the Acadia Center said the bill is a “major win for the Commonwealth, for ratepayers, public health, climate resiliency and for our clean energy future,” adding that the gas reforms “will provide the Department of Public Utilities with the needed tools to save ratepayers money on imprudent investments, stranded assets and leaky pipes.”
