Bill > H3540

This bill establishes new responsibilities for the undersecretary of environmental justice and equity to ensure equitable distribution of clean energy benefits across Massachusetts. Specifically, the undersecretary will oversee the allocation of clean energy spending, ensuring it proportionally supports environmental justice populations and low-income communities. They will work with a stakeholder group to develop a comprehensive definition of "clean energy benefits" that considers factors like pollution reduction, transportation, economic development, and energy cost reduction. The undersecretary must create a framework to track and monitor these benefits, coordinate with agencies overseeing clean energy programs, and ensure program reviews (starting January 1 after the framework's creation) detail benefit allocations and identify participation barriers. These reviews will include strategies to improve access, such as community partnerships, multilingual applications, and affordable financing options. The benefits definition and allocation will be reviewed and updated every five years, beginning in 2025. The undersecretary is also authorized to adopt necessary regulations and must consult with existing advisory councils to develop guidelines, particularly addressing challenges for rental properties. The first stakeholder group meeting is mandated to occur no later than January 1, 2026.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3540