SECTION 1.  “PVEC” as used in this act shall mean the land, facilities, and equipment of the regional electric generating project in Westfield, Massachusetts known as the Pioneer Valley Energy Center.

“MLPs” as used in this act shall mean municipal lighting plants and municipal lighting plant cooperatives, including, but not limited to, municipal lighting plants of Westfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, South Hadley and the Western Massachusetts Public Utilities Cooperative.

“MLP Ownership Interests” as used in this act shall mean fractional tenancy-in-common ownership interests in the fee or leasehold of PVEC held by MLPs.

SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 34 to 69S, inclusive, of chapter 164 of the General Laws, section 3 of chapter 40 of the General Laws, and notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, MLPs may acquire MLP Ownership Interests in a portion, but less than all, of PVEC. 

SECTION 3.  The acquisition of MLP Ownership Interests in a portion, but less than all, of PVEC by MLPs shall not deem PVEC or any MLP Ownership Interests therein a public corporation, body politic and corporate or any other public instrumentality.

SECTION 4.  Sections 38A1/2 to 38O, inclusive, of chapter 7 of the General Laws, section 20A of chapter 9 of the General Laws, sections 39A to 39S, inclusive, of chapter 30 of the General Laws, sections 25 to 44J, inclusive, of chapter 149 of the General Laws, chapter 149A of the General Laws, and regulations promulgated under these sections of the General Laws, or any other provision of any general or special law governing the procurement by MLPs of construction and design services shall not apply to the design, construction, operation or maintenance of PVEC or any of the MLP Ownership Interests therein.

SECTION 5.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.