Bill > H3521

This bill establishes comprehensive goals and programs for expanding distributed energy resources (DERs) in Massachusetts, which are smaller-scale, locally-generated energy sources like solar panels and energy storage systems. The legislation requires the state secretary to set a target of having DERs meet at least 20% of the commonwealth's total electric load by 2035, with goals including solar photovoltaic systems and other clean energy technologies. The bill also mandates the creation of virtual power plant (VPP) programs by electric companies, which will aggregate customer-owned energy resources to provide grid services like peak load reduction. Critically, the legislation includes provisions to ensure equitable access, with enhanced incentives for low-to-moderate income residents and environmental justice populations, such as higher payments, financial assistance, and targeted outreach. Electric companies must develop these programs through an open-access tariff that allows both third-party aggregators and direct customer participation, while being prohibited from owning the resources themselves. Additionally, the bill empowers the Department of Public Utilities to review and approve these programs, establish procurement targets, and potentially implement financial performance incentives and penalties to facilitate distributed energy resource interconnection, ultimately aiming to create a more flexible, resilient, and democratically accessible energy system.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3521