Bill > S2135

This bill aims to reform the energy facilities siting process in Massachusetts to better address environmental justice, climate change, and public health concerns. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring energy project applicants to develop a preliminary project statement that includes detailed information about the need, risks, and benefits of the proposed facility, as well as identification of nearby environmental justice populations. This statement must be shared with the state's environmental justice and energy facilities siting directors, and the applicant must engage with the community before filing a formal petition. 2. Expanding the composition of the Energy Facilities Siting Board to include more members with expertise in environmental justice, labor, and community issues related to energy facility siting. 3. Enhancing the petition requirements for new generating facilities and other energy infrastructure, including the need to demonstrate climate change adaptation measures, public health impacts, and a cumulative impact assessment. The board is also empowered to deny or apply new conditions to projects that would contribute to adverse cumulative impacts on overburdened environmental justice communities. 4. Establishing new requirements for transparency and community engagement around the siting of oil facilities, similar to the process for other energy infrastructure. 5. Requiring project proponents to publicly disclose energy load forecast data to demonstrate the local need for proposed generating facilities. The overall goal of the bill is to prioritize environmental justice, climate, and public health considerations in the energy facilities siting process in Massachusetts.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2135