A new bill, known as “An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind,” was signed into law last week to support green transportation, green buildings, and clean power production, including offshore wind, solar, storage, and networked geothermal energy.
In Massachusetts, the transportation sector is the largest source of fuel emissions. This bill encourages the use of electric vehicles, including expanding and codifying the state’s MOR-EV electric vehicle incentive program, which provides rebates to individuals who purchase electric vehicles. This bill increases the rebate amount from $1,000 to $3,500 for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. In addition, people who buy electric vehicles and trade in their non-electric vehicles will be eligible for an additional incentive of $1,000. The bill also makes used vehicles eligible for rebates, as well as owners and renters of efficient appliances and other home energy improvements.
To expand access to electric vehicle charging stations, this bill will create an interagency coordinating council to develop and implement a charging infrastructure deployment plan.
“In an effort to retain the Commonwealth’s status as the top ranked state for energy efficiency and carbon reducing policies, I am proud to have voted in favor of this legislation,” said Rep. Dan Cahill.
Starting in 2030, this bill requires every passenger bus that the MBTA purchases to be a zero-emission vehicle. By the end of 2040, the MBTA will be required to operate exclusively zero-emission vehicles, prioritizing underserved and low-income communities when switching to zero-emission buses.
In regards to increasing the use of solar power, the bill allows for agricultural and horticultural land to be used for solar panels as long as they don’t impact the land’s use for agricultural or horticultural purposes.
“It is crucial that Massachusetts dramatically decreases its greenhouse gas emissions and serve as a leader in combating climate change across the nation and globe,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton. “This legislation expands and incentivizes the use of green transportation, spurs job growth in the clean energy sector, and helps us meet our zero-emissions goal.”
This bill creates a Massachusetts Offshore Wind Industry Investment Program that includes annual tax incentives, grants, loans, and other investments as incentives for the development of the offshore wind industry.
It also creates the Massachusetts Offshore Wind Industry Investment Trust Fund to help promote the manufacture, fabrication, and assembly of domestic supply chain components of the offshore wind industry; stimulate increased financing for permanent manufacturing facilities; advance clean energy research, technology, and innovation; and prepare individuals for offshore wind careers by supporting workforce training at a range of educational institutions and through regional employment boards.
To make the offshore wind bidding process more competitive throughout the state, the legislation modifies the price cap to bring in offshore wind project proposals that are cost-effective and promote economic development. The price cap will be removed if three or more offshore wind developers submit bids. If less than three companies bid, then a modified price cap would remain in place, but preference will be toward bids that invest in local manufacturing, provide employment opportunities for underrepresented populations, and mitigate environmental impacts.
“This landmark climate legislation will make Massachusetts a national leader in offshore wind and prioritizes workforce development and job creation in the clean energy sector,” said state Rep. Peter Capano. “The bill also sets us on a path to modernize the Commonwealth’s electrical grid, expand electric charging stations, and encourage the use of electrical vehicles, which will go a long way in helping us reach our long-term emission reduction goals.”
To tackle the issue of emissions from the building sector, the bill creates a 10-municipality demonstration project that allows all-electric building construction by local option. There are two provisions, including that each community has to meet certain affordable housing or multifamily development thresholds and each must exempt life sciences labs and health care facilities from the all-electric requirement.
The legislation also creates a commercial fisheries commission to give input on best practices for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating impacts to wildlife and requires utility companies to upgrade the transmission and distribution grid to accommodate the anticipated significant shift to renewable forms of energy.
“As a member of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee, I am so happy for the progress that was made with clean energy legislation this session,” said Rep. Jessica Giannino. “This newly passed legislation will help mitigate pollution, incentivize green energy, and modernize the electrical grid and energy storage infrastructure in Environmental Justice communities like ours. I am thankful for Speaker Mariano’s continued leadership and support throughout this session and his continued commitment to making sure Massachusetts is a leader in clean energy.”
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
