Bill > H4876

This bill: Establishes an Office of Environmental Justice and Equity within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to implement environmental justice principles and develop standards for community benefit plans and cumulative impact analyses for energy infrastructure. It requires the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish a methodology for determining the suitability of sites for clean energy facilities. The bill also creates a Facility Siting Division within the Department of Public Utilities to maintain a dashboard tracking the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure. The bill provides funding through assessments on electric and gas companies to support intervenor participation in Department of Public Utilities and Energy Facilities Siting Board proceedings. It expands the definition of "public service corporation" to include entities that own or operate electricity, gas, and other utility infrastructure. The bill also makes various changes to the Energy Facilities Siting Board's jurisdiction and procedures, including establishing new requirements and timelines for the siting and permitting of large and small clean energy infrastructure facilities. Additionally, the bill includes provisions related to advanced metering infrastructure, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage systems.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4876