Bill > H3302

This bill aims to promote the offshore wind energy industry and renewable energy in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Requiring distribution companies to conduct additional offshore wind generation solicitations and procurements of at least 2,800 megawatts of capacity, beyond what is already required by existing laws. 2. Removing certain restrictions on the approval of long-term contracts for offshore wind projects by the Department of Public Utilities. 3. Establishing environmental and fisheries working groups to provide input on best practices for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating impacts to wildlife, habitats, and existing water-dependent uses during offshore wind project construction and operation. 4. Requiring offshore wind project proposals to include a commitment to provide financial and technical assistance for regional research on the impacts of offshore wind on wildlife and habitat. 5. Mandating that offshore wind project bids allocate at least 1% of project costs to a fund for Massachusetts-based offshore wind power research and workforce development. 6. Imposing various workforce development, economic development, and labor-related certification and disclosure requirements for offshore wind project applicants. 7. Giving preference to offshore wind proposals that include commitments to enter into long-term contracts with businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, or other government entities to directly purchase offshore wind energy. 8. Establishing goals and requirements for the utilization of minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses in the design, construction, and operation of offshore wind projects.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3302