Bill > S2158

This bill aims to create offshore clean energy and new renewable jobs. It proposes the following key provisions: 1. Requires the Department of Energy Resources to investigate the necessity, benefits, and costs of requiring distribution companies to conduct additional offshore wind generation solicitations and procurements of at least 2,800 megawatts of aggregate nameplate capacity. 2. Removes certain price comparison and remuneration provisions related to the approval of long-term contracts for offshore wind projects. 3. Requires offshore wind proposals to include environmental and fisheries mitigation plans, and establishes working groups to provide input on best practices for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating impacts on wildlife, habitats, and traditional water-dependent uses. 4. Requires offshore wind bids to allocate at least 1% of project costs to a fund for Massachusetts-based offshore wind research and workforce development. 5. Imposes various certification and disclosure requirements for offshore wind solicitations and procurements, including commitments to workforce development, economic development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 6. Gives preference to proposals that include commitments to enter into long-term contracts with businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, or other government entities to purchase offshore wind energy. 7. Requires the consideration of minority business and community involvement in the evaluation of offshore wind proposals. The overall goal of the bill is to facilitate the development of offshore wind energy and ensure that the benefits of this industry are shared with local communities and businesses.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2158