Bill > S2007

This bill aims to modernize local energy investment and infrastructure in Massachusetts. It does the following: 1. Requires the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to conclude the current Grid Modernization Proceedings and commence a new proceeding to establish procedures for electric distribution companies to create and file Grid Modernization Plans every 5 years. These plans must evaluate the benefits and costs of local energy resources, provide information on distributed renewable generation facility interconnections, and propose incentives and mechanisms to deploy cost-effective local energy resources. 2. Establishes a Grid Modernization Consumer Board to review and approve the Grid Modernization Plans and budgets, and to seek to maximize net economic benefits through the use of distributed energy resources. 3. Requires distribution companies to provide quarterly reports on the implementation of their Grid Modernization Plans, and the Board to provide an annual report to the DPU and joint committee on telecommunications, utilities, and energy. 4. Amends the definition of "Distributed Renewable Generation Facility" and adds new definitions for "Infrastructure Resource Facility" and "Local Energy Resource Alternative" to be used in evaluating the need for new transmission and distribution infrastructure. 5. Requires a "Determination of Wires" approval process for the construction of any Infrastructure Resource Facility, which must consider whether Local Energy Resource Alternatives can meet or defer the identified need more cost-effectively. 6. Limits the residential fixed charges that distribution companies can charge to only the costs directly related to customer connection, billing, and service provision. 7. Requires distribution companies to offer time-of-use rate options to default service customers starting in 2020, with bill protection for the first year.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2007