THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022 Page 3 Rep. Wong supports comprehensive climate bill promoting clean energy and off shore wind S tate Representative Donald H. Wong (R-Saugus) voted to support comprehensive climate legislation designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting clean energy and off - shore wind in Massachusetts — without imposing a new gas fee on consumers. On July 21, House Bill 5060, An Act driving clean energy and off shore wind,d was approved by the House of Representatives (146-7) and Senate and laid before the Governor for his signature or other actions. The bill represents a compromise between earlier House and Senate versions of the bill that was negotiated by a six-member conference committee representing both legislative branches. Representative Wong noted that the conference committee report removes a controversial gas fee proposal contained in an earlier version of the bill that would have implemented a charge of 14.65 mill per therm on gas customers until 2032 to support the Renewable Energy Trust Fund. He had spoken out against the fee since it was fi rst proposed, calling it unfair to the state’s ratepayers. Representative Wong was also happy to see changes were made to a provision establishing a pilot program that would allow up to 10 communities to require the use of fossil-free fuel in all new construction projects. House Bill 5060 would limit participating communities to those who have already achieved a 10% aff ordable housing target and would also provide an exemption for health care facilities and life science labs. According to Representative Wong, House Bill 5060 also makes changes to the state’s procurement cap on off shore wind, which currently requires each successive wind proposal to be less expensive than the previously selected bid. The conference committee report amends the statute by allowing a modifi ed cap to remain in place if only two bids are received, but it removes the cap if three or more bids are submitted. In addition, the new climate bill establishes an Offshore Wind Industry Investment Program & Trust Fund to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The program will off er $35 million in annual tax incentives over a 10-year period to promote job creation within the industry, as well as other grants, loans and investments for manufacturing, workforce training and clean energy research. The bill also establishes a Clean Energy Investment Fund to be administered by MassCEC to help further advance clean energy research and technologies. House Bill 5060 also: • establishes a commercial fi sheries commission to provide input on minimizing and mitigating the impact of off shore energy generation and transmission on wildlife • authorizes the secretary of the Executive Offi ce of Energy and Environmental Aff airs, in consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), to consider the advantages and disadvantages of participating in regional or multistate competitive markets to facilitate the development of clean energy generation resources • authorizes DOER to coordinate with other New England states to competitively solicit long-term clean energy generation and transmission projects, including nuclear power from Connecticut • creates rebates and incentives for electric vehicle (EV) purchases • establishes an intergovernmental coordinating council to implement an EV charging infrastructure deployment plan • mandates that all new vehicle sales in Massachusetts be zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) by 2035 • requires all new MBTA bus purchases and leases to be ZEV by 2030, with the entire MBTA fleet required to be ZEV by 2040 • requires the Executive Offi ce of Labor and Workforce Development to produce a list of high-demand jobs within the state and share it with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) • creates a DESE high school offshore wind credential training pilot program through which DESE would reimburse school districts for each student that obtains Donald H. Wong State Representative the credentials between $600 and $750 • directs the Department of Public Utilities to convene a stakeholder working group to recommend regulatory and legislative changes to align gas system enhancement plans with statewide greenhouse emissions limits • eliminates Mass Save incentives to install fossil fuel infrastructure in buildings, except as a backup for an electric heat pump, beginning with the 2025-2027 Mass Save plan
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