Bill > S515

This bill aims to protect public health and reduce healthcare costs in Massachusetts. It requires the Department of Public Health to create an assessment tool to quantify the health impacts and costs of emissions from grid electricity, delivered fuels, and the benefits of energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy. The tool will analyze factors like particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon, carbon dioxide, and mercury emissions, and their impact on measures of health status, including premature death, cardiovascular events, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and more. The department must update the tool every three years and use it to explicitly factor in the health impacts and cost savings of any new or revised policy, regulation, or program related to energy, buildings, transportation, and waste. The department must also submit the assessment tool and explanatory materials to state officials within 12 months of the bill's effective date.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S515