Malden legislators help enact comprehensive climate action legislation

State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to enact sweeping climate legislation to meet the climate crisis head-on and accelerate progress towards the state’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers simplifies clean energy infrastructure permitting, protects residents from high energy costs, expands the electric vehicle (EV) charging network and incentivizes innovative technologies, such as battery storage, fusion energy, advanced metering and meter socket adapters.

Earlier in 2024 the Massachusetts House and Senate had passed similar versions of the bill, which were resolved by a conference committee. On November 14, the legislature enacted the bill. Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on November 20, 2024, as Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024.

“Massachusetts is a national and global leader in combating climate change and shifting to clean, renewable energy like solar and offshore wind,” said Senator Lewis. “This robust legislation builds upon our previous legislative efforts in order to accelerate the building of clean energy infrastructure, advance innovation in climate technology, create quality green jobs, and help protect ratepayers from high energy costs.”

“With the passage of this climate legislation, we take a large step toward a more sustainable and equitable future,” said Representative Donato. “This legislation is a landmark achievement that will not only accelerate our transition to renewable energy but also ensure that the benefits of this transition are shared by all. By fostering innovation, creating jobs, and addressing the climate crisis, we are securing a more resilient energy future for the Commonwealth.”

“With the passage of this comprehensive climate legislation, Massachusetts continues to lead in clean energy and move closer towards our goal of net zero emissions by 2050,” said Representative Ultrino. “This legislation includes a wide range of policies that will help grow our economy, create jobs, and ensure a sustainable future for our Commonwealth.”

“As a member of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, I was glad to join the Legislature in passing this critical legislation to meet State climate goals, while protecting residents from high energy costs,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “By consolidating State permitting for clean energy projects, establishing an Office of Environmental Justice, and advancing solar energy and electric vehicles, among other provisions, this bill ensures that Massachusetts is positioned to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Key provisions of this climate legislation:

• Expediting the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure projects by requiring that large projects that need state, regional and local permits be consolidated into a single permit that requires action within 15 months, and that small projects with multiple local permits be consolidated into a single permit with action within 12 months
• Enhancing community review of clean energy project permitting by establishing the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, the Office of Public Participation at the Energy Facilities Siting Board and the Division of Siting and Permitting at the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), to ensure a robust, thorough and community-centered review of all projects
• Protecting residents from high energy costs by directing utility providers to offer lower rates to low- and middle-income consumers and incentivizing utility companies to expand the use of climate- and cost-friendly infrastructure
• Extending the “Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles” (MOR-EV) program through 2027, which gives residents $3,500-$6,000 for the purchase of new or used electric vehicles
• Expanding the availability of EV charging stations by centralizing the statewide coordination of charger installation via the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council, directing the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to make it easier to install pole-mounted chargers that often are used in parking spots and on streets and removing EV charger installation restrictions for residents who own parcels within condominiums, homeowner associations and historic districts
• Making it easier for cities and towns to procure electric school buses and EV charging equipment for their municipalities
• Supporting offshore wind development by expanding existing tax credits for offshore wind facility employers, increasing the maximum of 20-year terms for offshore wind contracts up to 30 years, and directing DOER to review the effectiveness of existing contracts and issue guidance on long-term power purchase agreements between offshore wind developers and municipalities, including approved aggregation plans
• Continuing the deployment of solar energy through expanding affordability and access for low-income customers to utilize the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program, updating historic district laws, providing policy recommendations through a solar canopy working group and requiring DPU to explore expanding access to net crediting
• Strengthening efficient grid management and improved resiliency with advanced metering infrastructure, including smart meters, communications networks and data management systems, to help use devices more efficiently and provide real-time data to the grid
• Decarbonizing more buildings by authorizing condo association boards to install energy efficiency devices and EV chargers in common areas and increasing the efficiency of heat pumps by allowing installers to use the most up-to-date refrigerants
• Supporting carbon removal innovation by expanding the mission of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to include carbon removal, embodied carbon reduction and nuclear power. MassCEC would also be directed to promote carbon removal and embodied carbon activities, and study opportunities for future carbon removal.
• Supporting fusion energy and battery storage by becoming the first state in the nation to add fusion energy to the list of Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Class I renewable energy generating sources, positioning the Commonwealth to be in a strategically beneficial position as fusion energy becomes commercially viable.

• Leading by example by directing state government to analyze its own climate impacts and how state infrastructure, including state buildings and Massport, can be more climate friendly.