Bill > H5151

This bill aims to enhance energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness by implementing several key provisions. It mandates the creation of a public, real-time online dashboard to display retail residential customer electricity and gas bill components and their associated utility cost recovery mechanisms, along with an analysis of the benefits of clean energy programs. The bill also reorganizes the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) by establishing a "division of clean energy procurement" and a "division of clean energy siting and permitting," and it introduces a specialized municipal opt-in energy code focused on net-zero building standards. Furthermore, it requires electric and gas companies to provide detailed reports on their operations and customer charges, and it mandates the return of at least 70% of alternative compliance payments to electric ratepayers under certain conditions. The bill also establishes new programs and regulations for energy storage incentives, offshore wind development, and a statewide smart solar permitting platform to expedite solar installations. It introduces stricter regulations for energy marketers and suppliers, including bonding requirements and enhanced consumer protections, and allows municipalities to prohibit new contracts with certain energy suppliers for residential customers. Additionally, the bill facilitates the installation of high-voltage transmission lines along state highways, establishes prevailing wage requirements for thermal energy network construction, and defines new categories for gas companies to offer geothermal energy services. It also introduces programs for low-income and moderate-income energy discounts, mandates just transition plans for gas companies, and allows for third-party investment in utility infrastructure. The bill also updates net metering credit calculations, exempts portable solar generation devices from certain regulations, and establishes new processes for flexible interconnection and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system integration. Finally, it creates an electric rates task force to analyze electricity costs and mandates a review of the Mass Save program for efficiency and effectiveness, alongside other measures to promote clean energy and consumer protection.

House Committee on Ways and Means (House)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5151