Rep. Barber Votes with House to Pass Clean Energy Legislation

State Representative Christine Barber of Somerville and Medford joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass energy legislation that protects the Commonwealth’s ratepayers and supports clean energy. The bill requires energy companies, like National Grid, to purchase 1,200 megawatts (MWs) of offshore wind and supports a total of 2,400 MWs of clean energy, the largest amount the Legislature has included in any single bill. The bill also requires energy companies to procure up to 9,450,000 MWhs of energy from either hydropower, or hydropower and Class I renewable resources, including solar and wind farms.

“This legislation greatly helps to diversify our energy grid, create jobs in clean energy, and lay the groundwork for adding to the state’s renewable portfolio standard in the future,” said Rep. Barber. “While there is more work to be done, I am pleased that the House has taken this important step forward to establish the foundation for the Commonwealth’s clean energy future.”

H.4377, An Act to promote energy diversity, calls for a large procurement of large-scale renewables and remains cognizant of costs to ratepayers. Importantly, the bill does not include any new natural gas pipelines. With several amendments adopted during Wednesday’s debate, benefits of this omnibus energy legislation include:

– Gas companies are required to repair all identified gas leaks in the area of a significant road project while the road is open for construction. Gas companies will also be required to repair all leaks throughout the state within five years;

– An independent evaluator will assist the Department of Public Utilities with energy procurements which, among other ratepayer protections, will ensure a fair and transparent process;

– The Commercial and Residential Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE), established within the Department of Energy Resources, to which municipalities can opt in, will authorize PACE bonds to finance commercial and residential projects to implement energy efficiency or conservation improvements, including electric vehicle charging stations, water efficiency improvements and energy audits.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration, and must be signed by the Governor before becoming law.

– Submitted by Rep. Barber’s office