Bill > H2893

This bill expands the authority of the Attorney General in Massachusetts concerning projects that aim to increase the supply of non-renewable energy resources, such as those involving applications under the Natural Gas Act, which is a federal law regulating the interstate transportation and sale of natural gas. Specifically, it requires state agencies to assess the Commonwealth's need for such additional energy resources and explore alternative ways to meet those needs that better protect environmental interests. The bill also clarifies that applications or activities seeking to increase non-renewable energy supply will be considered "Projects" for review purposes and mandates that the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and/or the Attorney General review the environmental impacts and potential adverse consequences of these projects. Furthermore, it empowers the Attorney General, either independently or upon a request from five or more state legislators, to coordinate thorough environmental reviews of these projects, oversee the creation of environmental impact reports, and intervene in proceedings related to the Natural Gas Act on behalf of the Commonwealth, with the power to resolve conflicts and issue regulations to implement these provisions.