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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022 Page 5 Massachusetts Legislature Passes Major Clean Energy Legislation carefully calibrated to provide a portfolio of robust clean energy, including off shore wind, and decarbonize our largestemitting industries, all while attracting a world-class supply chain, intensive workforce training initiatives, and the investment necessary to prepare our electric distribution system for the energy needs of the future.” “As a member of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee, I am so happy for the progress that was made with clean energy legislation this session,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (DRevere). “These newly passed bills will help mitigate pollution, incentivize green energy, and modernize the electrical grid and energy storage infrastructure in Environmental Justice communities like ours. I am thankful for Speaker Mariano’s continued leadership and support throughout this session and his continued commitment to making sure Massachusetts is a leader in clean energy.” JESSICA GIANNINO State Representative BOSTON – This session, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a sweeping clean energy bill, An Act driving clean energy and off shore wind. Thelegislation bolsters green transportation, green buildings and clean power production – including offshore wind, solar, and storage and networked geothermal – while creating thousands of new jobs and economic benefi ts 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 enacted by the House and Senate on July 21, An Act driving clean energy and off shore wind was laid before the Governor for his signature or other actions. “At the beginning of this legislative session, we codifi ed into law the goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions in Massachusetts by 2050. 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 prioritizing the well-being of our climate, and for working diligently to get this done.” “From searing heat to rising seas, climate change poses a very real threat to Massachusetts residents,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (DAshland). “To leave future generations with a livable planet, Massachusetts must take on the role of a national and international leader in the fi ght against climate change. Reaching our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require us to take the important steps outlined in this legislation to expand our clean energy capacity, encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, reduce emissions from buildings, and foster highpaying, green jobs for our workforce. I’d like to thank my House partner, Speaker Mariano, Senators Barrett and Creem and all of the conferees for their focus and continued determination to bring this legislation over the fi nish line, as well as to all of the Senators who played a role in this bill’s creation and passage.” “Massachusetts has an opportunity to meet the urgency of the climate crisis through our nation-leading innovation, workforce, and energy resources,” said Representative Jeff rey N. Roy (D- Franklin), who is the House Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “This timely and comprehensive piece of legislation is Off shore wind To incentivize the development of the off shore wind industry in Massachusetts, this legislation establishes a Massachusetts Offshore Wind Industry Investment Program – to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) – consisting 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 g oal of making the Massachusetts offshore 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-eff ective 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 manuGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 facturing, provide employment opportunities for underrepresented 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 fisheries commission to provide input on best practices for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating impacts to wildlife related to off - shore energy generation and transmission. 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, eliminates the so-called “donut hole” for on-site solar energy net ACT | SEE Page 15

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