Bill > H3688

This bill amends Section 69H of Chapter 164 of the Massachusetts General Laws to establish the Energy Facilities Siting Board within the Department. The Board is responsible for reviewing the environmental and public health impacts, the need for, and the cost of transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, facilities for the manufacture and storage of gas, and oil facilities. The Board is also required to review the environmental impacts of generating facilities, consistent with the Commonwealth's policy of allowing market forces to determine the need for and cost of such facilities. Additionally, the Board must solicit and consider testimony from the Department of Fish and Game whenever reasonable environmental stewardship concerns are raised, and from the Department of Public Health whenever reasonable public health concerns are raised. These reviews will be conducted in accordance with Sections 69J¼ for generating facilities and 69J for all other facilities.