THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 29, 2022 Page 5 McGonagle, Legislature pass major clean energy legislation B OSTON — Rep. Joe McGonagle, along with his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature, passed a sweeping clean energy bill, An Act driving clean energy and off - shore wind. The legislation bolsters green transportation, green buildings and clean power production, including off shore wind, solar and storage and networked geothermal, while creating thousands of new jobs and economic benefits in the process. This bill builds upon the Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill, which was passed earlier this legislative session and overhauled the state’s climate laws by putting Massachusetts on a path to reach a net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Having been passed by the House and Senate, An Act driving clean energy and off shore wind is currently before the Governor for his signature or other actions. “Clean energy legislation has long been a goal of the Massachusetts Legislature and after seeing the extreme weather globally this summer, we see how essential this legislation is,” said McGonagle. “It focuses on several broad areas that we have identifi ed as being critical and attainable. Not only are many of these projects built to combat climate change, but they will also create plenty of job opportunities in the Commonwealth. Here in Everett, we’ve taken many steps to rebuild the waterfront, making it a safe and accessible spot for our community while protecting the natural habitats there. Projects like these will continue to be very important to me.” “At the beginning of this legislative session, we codified into law the goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions in Massachusetts by 2050. Today, and as the end of the session nears, the Legislature has again passed historic climate legislation that brings the Commonwealth closer to achieving that ever-important goal,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This legislation will make Massachusetts a national leader in energy generated from off shore wind, while creating thousands of new jobs in the process. I want to thank Chairman Jeff Roy and each member of the conference committee, my colleagues in the House, as well as Senate President Karen Spilka and our partners in the Senate for priorunderrepresented populations and mitigate environmental impacts. Ultimately, a contract would only be approved if deemed cost-eff ective and benefi cial to ratepayers. The legislation also establishes a commercial fi sheries commission to provide input on best practices for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating impacts to wildlife related to off - shore energy generation and transmission. Joseph McGonagle State Representative itizing the well-being of our climate, and for working diligently to get this done.” Offshore wind To incentivize the development of the off shore wind industry in Massachusetts, this legislation establishes a Massachusetts Off shore Wind Industry Investment Program to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The program will consist of annual tax incentives, grants, loans and other investments through the fund, and assistance from MassCEC in accessing other state or federal economic investment programs. It also creates the Massachusetts Off shore Wind Industry Investment Trust Fund, which can be used to promote the manufacture, fabrication and assembly of domestic supply chain components of the off shore wind industry; to stimulate increased fi nancing for permanent manufacturing facilities; to advance clean energy research, technology and innovation; and to prepare individuals for off shore wind careers by supporting workforce training at a range of educational institutions and through regional employment boards. With the goal of making the Massachusetts off shore wind bidding process more competitive, the legislation modifi es the price cap to set clear criteria to allow for off shore wind project proposals that are cost-effective and promote economic development in the Commonwealth. Under this legislation, the price cap will be removed if three or more off shore wind developers submit bids, and if less than three companies bid a modifi ed price cap would remain in place. Preference will be given to bids that invest in local manufacturing, provide employment opportunities for Solar and other sources of energy To support the advancement of solar power, the bill permits agricultural and horticultural land to be used to site solar panels if they do not impede the continued use of the land for agricultural or horticultural use. The bill eliminates the socalled “donut hole” for on-site solar energy net metering to promote residential solar, and it loosens the so-called single parcel rule to help expand solar on sites where it already exists. MCGONAGLE | SEE PAGE 10 YOUR SUMMER FUN... FOR LESS! as low as SUMMER SIZZLER LOAN up to 12-Months $500 - $5,000 5.19% Vacations APR* Improvements Extra Cash Apply online FAST at memberspluscu.org. memberspluscu.org 781-905-1500 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Payments for 5.19% APR for 12-months are approximately $85.70 per month per $1,000 borrowed. 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