SECTION 1: Section 69H of Chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

“There is hereby established an energy facilities siting board within the department, but not under the supervision or control of the department. Said board shall implement the provisions contained in sections 69H to 69Q, inclusive, so as to provide a reliable energy supply for the commonwealth with a minimum impact on the environment and public health, and with a minimum impact on the overall wellbeing of residents abutting the project at the lowest possible cost after these impacts are considered. To accomplish this, the board shall review the environmental and public health impacts, the need for and the cost of transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, facilities for the manufacture and storage of gas, and oil facilities; provided, however, that the board shall review only the environmental impacts of generating facilities, consistent with the commonwealth's policy of allowing market forces to determine the need for and cost of such facilities; provided, however that the Board shall solicit and consider testimony from the department of fish and game whenever reasonable environmental stewardship concerns are raised; provided, however, that the Board shall solicit and consider testimony from the department of public health whenever reasonable public health concerns are raised. Such reviews shall be conducted consistent with section 69J1/4 for generating facilities and with section 69J for all other facilities.