(A solar farm atop a former landfill in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Credit: Lucas Faria via the Department of Energy
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is one signature away from enacting a sweeping clean energy bill that will streamline the siting process for clean energy projects, promote energy storage, and increase contracts for offshore wind power to 30 years.
On Thursday, the Massachusetts State House passed S.2967, formally an act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers. Now the bill will head to the desk of Governor Maura Healey, who is expected to sign it into law. The bill’s passage is a long-awaited moment for Massachusetts clean energy advocates, who have been watching sand trickle through the hourglass since the House and Senate failed to reconcile their two respective climate bills before the end of the formal legislative session in July.
In addition to the items mentioned above, S.2967 also:
-Aims to increase and improve electric vehicle charging stations across the Commonwealth
-Allows gas utilities to deliver geothermal energy services by redefining “gas company” to include non-emitting thermal energy
-Makes changes to the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) effective July, 2026 that will hasten the buildout of renewable energy, electric transmission, and distribution infrastructure
-Directs Massachusetts utilities to competitively solicit at least 5,000 MW of cost-effective energy storage systems by 2030
-Charges the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) with creating a statewide energy storage incentive program and new energy storage procurement program
-Tweaks the Commonwealth’s definition of “clean ener
