HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3540        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3316

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Thomas A. Golden, Jr.

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to a competitive market for clean energy.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3540        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3316

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to a competitive market for clean energy.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 83B of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, as amended by chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 1, the words “83C and 83D” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- 83C, 83D, and 83F

SECTION 2.  Section 83B of Chapter 169, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “clean energy generation” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

“Clean energy generation”, (i) new Class I renewable portfolio standard eligible resources, including but not limited to offshore wind energy generation; (ii) hydroelectric generation; or (iii) any combination of new Class I RPS eligible resources, hydroelectric generation, or energy storage.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 169, as amended by chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby further amended by inserting after section 83D the following sections:-

Section 83F. The secretary of energy and environmental affairs, in consultation with the department of energy resources and the department of public utilities, shall investigate the potential of using or participating in regional or multi-state competitive market mechanisms or structures to facilitate the financing of clean energy generation resources, including offshore wind energy generation, to meet the commonwealth’s clean energy needs, and achieve compliance with the statewide greenhouse gas emission limits and sublimits established pursuant to Chapter 21N, while providing benefits for the commonwealth.  Following such review, the secretary, in consultation with the department of energy resources and the department of public utilities, may determine that regional or multi-state competitive market mechanisms or structures are capable of meeting the commonwealth’s clean energy needs, including annual portfolio standard requirements, while providing benefits for the commonwealth, may set regional market targets to meet the commonwealth’s clean energy needs, and may further determine that competitive solicitations, including those authorized under section 83C of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, are no longer necessary. The secretary may direct the distribution companies to enter into agreements, obligations, contracts, or otherwise participate in the regional markets to facilitate the financing of equivalent clean energy generation as authorized under Section 83C and Section 83E. The secretary may promulgate regulations necessary to implement this section.