SECTION 1.  The department of energy resources, in consultation with the department of transportation and the department of public utilities, shall issue a comprehensive report on strategies and methods for meeting the current and future needs within the commonwealth for public and private-sector electric vehicle charging infrastructure, provided, that said study shall include but not be limited to (1) estimates of the numbers and types of public and private-sector electric vehicle chargers and charging infrastructure likely to be needed to help the commonwealth reach the greenhouse gas emissions limits and sublimits set pursuant to Chapter 21N of the General Laws; (2) identify optimal locations for such in urban, suburban, and rural areas, including residential areas and including but not limited to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and environmental justice communities; (3) estimate the electrical distribution and transmission infrastructure needed to support such chargers and infrastructure; (4) make recommendations to assist developers and governmental officials to install such chargers and infrastructure in parking lots, garages, and in proximity to on-street parking spaces in a timely and cost-effective manner; and (5) identify current policies, laws, and regulations that hamper the provision of such chargers and infrastructure, and recommend policies that may support the provisions of such chargers and infrastructure.

The department of energy resources shall hold at least 5 public hearings to gather public input and comments; provided, that at least 2 hearings shall be located in environmental justice communities, at least 1 hearing shall be located in a rural community, and at least 1 hearing shall be located in a suburban community.

The department shall issue its report to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives and to the chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities, and energy not later than 12 months from the effective date of this act. The department shall make said report publicly available on the department website.