Bill > H4041

This bill establishes an Office of Green Zone Administration within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to address environmental justice issues. The office will create a statewide scoring system to identify and designate "green zones" in communities facing significant environmental challenges, such as high environmental damage, public health disparities, and energy burdens. It will establish a Green Zone Investment Fund to provide grants, financing, and investments in these targeted areas. Key initiatives include installing solar and energy efficiency measures for at least 250,000 low-income households by 2030, reducing their energy costs, and developing 400 megawatts of energy storage capacity. The bill also mandates workforce development training in clean energy sectors, prioritizing recruitment from environmental justice populations, and requires at least 10% of the state's energy efficiency budget to be spent in green zone communities. An advisory board will be created to ensure community input, and the office must submit annual reports tracking progress, funding, and recommendations. The goal is to address historical environmental inequities and provide targeted support to communities most affected by environmental and economic challenges.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4041