SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2205        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2136

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Joseph A. Boncore

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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 transitioning Massachusetts to clean electricity, heating, and transportation.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2205        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2136

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 transitioning Massachusetts to clean electricity, heating, and transportation.

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. The purpose of this act is to transition the commonwealth to 100 per cent clean energy for electricity by 2035 and 100 per cent clean energy for the building sector and transportation sector by 2045 in order to: (1) protect the health and safety of all residents of the commonwealth by eliminating pollution that is contaminating our air, water and land, and changing our climate in dangerous ways; (2) maximize the ability of the commonwealth to meet the greenhouse gas emissions limits adopted under chapter 21N of the General Laws; (3) improve quality of life and economic well-being for all, with an emphasis on environmental justice populations that have been disproportionately affected by pollution and energy costs; (4) increase energy security and energy affordability by reducing the commonwealth’s reliance on imported fuels and increasing renewable energy generation in the region; and (5) stimulate investment and create local jobs by harnessing the commonwealth’s skilled workforce, business leadership and academic institutions to advance renewable energy technologies.

SECTION 2. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 25C the following chapter:-

CHAPTER 25D.

100 PERCENT CLEAN COMMONWEALTH ACT.

Section 1.

As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-

“Building sector,” all buildings in the commonwealth; provided, that for the purposes of this chapter a building’s energy use shall include only the energy used to provide electricity, space heating and cooling, and water heating and cooling, and shall not include energy used for heavy industrial activities.

“Clean electricity,” electricity that is either renewable electricity or generated by another source that emits virtually no greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants in normal operation. Electricity generated from wood biomass and waste-to-energy shall not be considered clean electricity.

“Clean energy,” either: a) clean electricity; b) non-electric energy from other sources that emit virtually no greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants in normal operation, using technologies such as solar thermal heating or geothermal heating and cooling; or c) avoided energy use or reduced peak energy demand through energy efficiency, energy conservation, demand response, an increase in public transit ridership or carpooling, a reduction in unnecessary travel, or the use of nonmotorized methods of transportation such as walking and bicycling.

"Environmental justice population", a neighborhood that meets 1 or more of the following criteria: (i) the annual median household income is not more than 65 per cent of the statewide annual median household income; (ii) minorities comprise 40 per cent or more of the population; (iii) 25 per cent or more of households lack English language proficiency; or (iv) minorities comprise 25 per cent or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150 per cent of the statewide annual median household income; provided, however, that for a neighborhood that does not meet said criteria, but a geographic portion of that neighborhood meets at least 1 criterion, the secretary may designate that geographic portion as an environmental justice population upon the petition of at least 10 residents of the geographic portion of that neighborhood meeting any such criteria; provided further, that the secretary may determine that a neighborhood, including any geographic portion thereof, shall not be designated an environmental justice population upon finding that: (A) the annual median household income of that neighborhood is greater than 125 per cent of the statewide median household income; (B) a majority of persons age 25 and older in that neighborhood have a college education; (C) the neighborhood does not bear an unfair burden of environmental pollution; and (D) the neighborhood has more than limited access to natural resources, including open spaces and water resources, playgrounds and other constructed outdoor recreational facilities and venues.

"Neighborhood,” a census block group as defined by the United States Census Bureau, excluding people who live in college dormitories and people who are under formally authorized, supervised care or custody, including federal, state or county prisons.

“Renewable electricity,” electricity generated by Class I or Class II renewable energy generating sources, as defined in section 11F of chapter 25A of the General Laws.

“Secretary,” the secretary of energy and environmental affairs.

“Transportation sector,” the movement of people and goods throughout the commonwealth; provided, that for the purposes of this chapter the transportation sector shall not include aviation, ocean freight, or ocean passenger travel.

Section 2.

(a) By 2035, 100 per cent of the electricity used by all residents, institutions, businesses, state and municipal agencies, and other entities operating within the borders of the commonwealth shall be clean electricity, and at least 80 per cent of that electricity shall be renewable electricity.

(b) By 2045, 100 per cent of the energy used in the building sector and transportation sector within the borders of the commonwealth shall be clean energy.

(c) In achieving these objectives, the commonwealth and its agencies shall prioritize: (1) sources of renewable electricity that are located in Massachusetts or other New England states; (2) sources of renewable electricity that represent additional renewable energy generating capacity added to the electric grid; (3) non-emitting sources of renewable electricity; (4) models for local and community ownership of renewable electricity generation and energy storage; and (5) reductions in energy consumption through efficiency and conservation measures to the greatest extent practicable. In all of its plans to achieve 100 per cent clean energy, the commonwealth and its agencies shall prioritize bringing direct health and financial benefits to environmental justice populations.

Section 3.

(a) The secretary shall establish the council for the clean energy transition not later than 90 days from the passage of this act.

(b) The council shall be chaired by the secretary or the secretary’s designee, and shall include the following individuals or their designees: (1) the commissioners of the department of environmental protection and the department of energy resources; (2) the chair of the department of public utilities; (3) the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center; (4) the secretaries of administration and finance, education, health and human services, housing and economic development, labor and workforce development, public safety and security, transportation and public works, and any other executive office subsequently created; (5) the attorney general, the treasurer and receiver general, the secretary of the commonwealth, and the state auditor; (6) the president of the University of Massachusetts; (7) a member designated by the secretary of education to represent the community college system; (8) a member designated by the secretary of education to represent the the state university system; (9) the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; and (10) a member designated by the secretary of transportation to represent the regional transit authorities. The governor may appoint additional representatives from state agencies or quasi-public agencies to the council.

(c) Each executive office and quasi-public agency shall submit a report to the council describing how the laws, regulations, programs, and activities under its jurisdiction can be modified in order to facilitate the commonwealth’s transition to 100 per cent clean energy, and how such modifications may help achieve the office or agency’s other objectives. The secretary shall publish the council’s findings within 6 months of the first meeting of the council. The secretary and the council shall review and update these findings every 3 years from the date of initial publication.

(d) Within 12 months from the effective date of this act, the secretary, acting with the council’s advice, shall determine a date not later than January 1, 2035, by which the operations of state government shall be powered with 100 percent clean energy for electricity, space heating and cooling, water heating and cooling, and transportation, and such determination shall be legally binding. Within 18 months of the effective date of this act, each executive office and quasi-public agency shall present a plan to meet this requirement for its operations. Each executive office and quasi-public agency shall report to the council on its progress toward this requirement and update its plan annually.

(e) The council shall meet at least 4 times each year to review progress in modifying laws, regulations, programs, and activities to accelerate the transition to 100 per cent clean energy for the commonwealth and for the operations of state government. These meetings shall be open to members of the public and shall provide opportunities for public comment. Meeting times and locations shall be set to maximize opportunities for public engagement, and at least 1 meeting shall be held in a neighborhood with an environmental justice population each year.

Section 4.

(a) The council for the clean energy transition shall be supported in its work by an advisory committee. Members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by the secretary and shall include the following individuals:

(1) experts knowledgeable in (i) renewable energy and energy storage, (ii) energy efficiency, (iii) architecture, building engineering and construction, (iv) clean heating technologies, (v) zero emission vehicles, (vi) public transportation, (vii) nonmotorized transportation, (viii) affordable housing, and (ix) environmental justice;

(2) representatives of (i) the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, (ii) the Massachusetts Building Trades Council, (iii) an environmental organization, (iv) an environmental justice organization, (v) a renewable energy business, (vi) an economic development organization, and (vii) a community development corporation;

(3) youth representatives, including one individual between 14 to 18 years of age and one individual between 19 to 25 years of age; and

(4) any other individuals appointed by the secretary.

(b) The advisory committee shall meet at least 4 times each year separately from the council, and shall be invited to attend all council meetings. Meetings of the advisory committee shall be open to members of the public and shall provide opportunities for public comment. Meeting times and locations shall be set to maximize opportunities for public engagement, and at least 1 meeting shall be held in a neighborhood with an environmental justice population each year.

Section 5.

(a) There shall be an office of clean energy equity in the executive office of energy and environmental affairs. The office shall oversee the equitable deployment of energy efficiency, renewable electricity, clean transportation, and clean heating technologies, particularly in environmental justice populations, in programs established under this chapter, sections 11F, 11F 1/4 and 18 of chapter 25A, section 77 of chapter 6C, and other provisions of the General Laws.

(b) The office shall ensure that the tangible benefits of clean energy at the household and community level, including clean energy asset ownership, energy cost savings, pollution reductions, public health benefits, and employment and economic opportunities, are available equitably to all residents of the commonwealth, and particularly in environmental justice populations. The office shall ensure that a certain percentage of projects completed under the commonwealth's clean energy programs benefit the residents of environmental justice populations, and that percentage shall be no less than the percentage of residents of the commonwealth who live in environmental justice populations.

(c) The office shall work with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the just transition office in the department of career services to increase the availability of workforce development programs for residents of environmental justice populations to work in clean energy industries.

Section 6.

(a) The commonwealth and its agencies shall take all actions necessary to achieve the objectives of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall be legally enforceable by any citizen of the commonwealth.

(b) The secretary may grant exemptions to the requirements of this chapter, for a period of no longer than 3 years, for emergency services and for other energy uses for which there is no feasible clean energy option. The secretary may renew exemptions for subsequent 3-year periods. The secretary shall hold at least one public hearing before granting or renewing an exemption.

(c) In promulgating regulations to implement the requirements of this chapter, the commonwealth and its agencies shall consider how to minimize costs and maximize economic, social, public health, and environmental benefits for residents of environmental justice populations.

SECTION 3. Chapter 23 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 26. Just Transition to Clean Energy

(a) In the department of career services, within the executive office of labor and workforce development, there shall be a just transition office. The office shall ensure that workers employed in the energy sector who are displaced due to efforts by the commonwealth or the private sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or transition from fossil fuels to clean energy have immediate access to employment and training opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields. The just transition office shall also work with clean energy businesses to ensure they act as responsible employers to further the commonwealth’s workforce and economic development goals. The just transition office shall also work to increase access to employment and training opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields for residents of environmental justice populations.

(b) The secretary of labor and workforce development shall appoint the director of the office.

(c) Within the office there shall be a just transition advisory committee consisting of: (1) the director of the office; (2) the secretary of labor and workforce development and the commissioner of the department of energy resources, or their designees; (3) the director of the office of clean energy equity in the executive office of energy and environmental affairs; (4) a representative of employers in the gas utility sector appointed by the governor; (5) a representative of employers in the electric power generation sector appointed by the governor; (6) a representative of employers in the renewable electricity sector appointed by the governor; (7) a representative of employers in the energy efficiency sector appointed by the governor; (8) a representative of employers in the clean transportation sector appointed by the governor; (9) a representative of employers in the clean heating sector appointed by the governor; (10) a representative of employees in the gas utility sector appointed by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (11) a representative of employees in the electric power generation sector appointed by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (12) two representatives of employees in the clean energy sector appointed by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (13) a representative of employees in the transportation sector appointed by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (14) the president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council or a designee, and (15) two representatives of environmental justice populations appointed by the director of the office of clean energy equity.

(d) The committee shall develop a just transition plan for the energy sector that identifies workers currently employed in the sector by industry, trade, and job classification, and contains relevant information including, but not limited to, current wage and benefit packages and current licensing, certification and training requirements. The committee, through the just transition plan, shall recommend education and training programs to enhance re-employment opportunities within the energy sector, and services to support dislocated workers displaced from jobs in the energy sector as a result of emissions-reducing policies and advances in clean energy technologies. The just transition plan shall also recommend actions to increase opportunities for residents of environmental justice populations to work in clean energy industries.

(e) The just transition plan shall include provisions to:

(1) Administer climate adjustment assistance benefits that are similar in type, amount, and duration to federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits available pursuant to 20 CFR 617.20–617.49;

(2) Educate dislocated workers, in collaboration with employers of dislocated workers and relevant labor unions, on re-employment or training opportunities, and how to apply for climate adjustment assistance benefits;

(3) Provide training, cross-training, and retraining to workers displaced by gas infrastructure loss in the commonwealth’s local distribution companies and related businesses;

(4) Address the workforce development challenges of the fossil fuel energy sector’s shrinking workforce over the course of the commonwealth’s 25-year transition to a clean energy economy;

(5) Incentivize the hiring of displaced energy sector workers with utilities, clean energy industries, and related industries; 

(6) Work with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to ensure that training and employment opportunities for displaced energy sector workers are included in their initiatives, incentives, funding opportunities, and projects;

(7) Work with the department of public utilities and other agencies regulating the energy sector within the commonwealth to coordinate just transition initiatives, complementing the other regulatory priorities of those agencies;

(8) Establish a fund to implement the just transition plan and its components, including potential sources for sustainable short-term and long-term funding;

(9) Develop requirements, including the submission of a workforce reduction plan, for energy sector employers that are closing a facility or significantly reducing their workforces as a result of efforts by the commonwealth or the private sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or transition from fossil fuels to clean energy; and

(10) Increase access to employment and training opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields for residents of environmental justice populations.

(f) Employers described in paragraph (9) of subsection (e) shall submit a workforce reduction plan to the office. Workforce reduction plans shall be subject to section 10 of chapter 66 and shall include:

(1)  The reasons for the workforce reduction or facility closure;

(2) The total number of workers by job classification and by geographic assignment employed by the employer;

(3)  The total number of workers whose existing jobs who will be retained, by job classification and geographic location;

(4) The total number of workers whose existing jobs will be eliminated by the workforce reduction or the closure of a facility, by job classification and geographic location;

(5)  Whether each classification of workers whose jobs are being eliminated will be offered employment in any other job classification or capacity by the employer, how many employees in each classification will be offered employment, and whether the replacement employment offered will provide comparable wages, benefits, and working conditions;

(6)  Whether the employer is offering severance or early retirement benefits to impacted workers, the value of the severance or early retirement benefits, whether the severance or early retirement benefits are being provided to all or certain classes of workers, and how many impacted workers intend to utilize these offerings;

(7) Whether the employer plans to transfer the work to a separate facility, enter a contracting agreement for work previously performed by company employees, or otherwise outsource work previously performed by company employees; and

(8) Whether the employer is a recipient of loans, grants, tax increment financing, or any other financial incentive from the commonwealth, its independent state agencies, departments, or corporations, or any municipality within the last five years.

SECTION 4.

(a) Section 11F of chapter 25A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the words “2029; and (5) an additional 1 per cent of sales every year thereafter” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- 2022; (5) an additional 3 per cent of sales each year thereafter until December 31, 2025; (6) an additional 4 per cent of sales each year thereafter until December 31, 2028; (7) an additional 5 per cent of sales each year thereafter until December 31, 2031; (8) an additional 6 per cent of sales each year thereafter until December 31, 2034; and (9) a total of at least 80 per cent of sales in 2035 and every year thereafter.

(b) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the sixth paragraph of subsection (b).

(c) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in the eighth paragraph of subsection (b), the words “wood, by-products,” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- “by-products.”

(d) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in subsection (b), the words “The department may also consider any previously operational biomass facility retrofitted with advanced conversion technologies as a renewable energy generating source.”

(e) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in the seventh paragraph of subsection (c), the words “wood, by-products,” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- “by-products.”

(f) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the seventh paragraph of subsection (d).

(g) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in the eighth paragraph of subsection (d), the words “wood, by-products,” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- “by-products.”

(h) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “power,” in subsection (f), the following words:- “and provided further, that a technology or technology category may only be added to a list if it emits virtually no greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants in normal operation, generates electricity from a source that is inexhaustible or practically inexhaustible, is safe, and uses resources efficiently.”

(i) Said section 11F of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the words “shall be established by the department,” in subsection (g), the following words:- “, and shall be at least 15 per cent of additional renewable energy kilowatt-hours sales required under subsection (a) after December 31, 2022.”

SECTION 5. Chapter 25A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 11F the following section:-

Section 11F 1/4. 100 Percent Clean Electricity.

(a) No later than January 1, 2035, the department of energy resources shall establish a clean electricity standard for all retail electricity suppliers selling electricity to end-use customers in the commonwealth. The clean electricity standard for 2035 and each year thereafter shall be 100 per cent of kilowatt-hours sales to end-use customers in the commonwealth. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the department or other state agencies from establishing a clean electricity standard or enforcing an existing requirement similar to the clean electricity standard prior to 2035.

(b) Retail electricity suppliers shall demonstrate compliance with the clean electricity standard with: (1) renewable energy certificates from Class I or Class II renewable energy generating sources, as defined in section 11F of this chapter; or (2) clean energy certificates from other sources generating clean electricity as defined in chapter 25D. Such certificates shall be retired by the retail electricity suppliers and not sold or assigned to other end users in the commonwealth or elsewhere.

(c) In 2032 and every 3 years thereafter, the department of energy resources shall evaluate whether it is feasible to require retail electricity suppliers to obtain more than 80 per cent of the electricity provided to end-use customers from Class I renewable energy generating sources, as defined in section 11F of this chapter. The department may require retail electricity suppliers to obtain a higher percentage of electricity from Class I renewable energy generating sources than is required in section 11F, up to 100 per cent, if the department determines that doing so is feasible, furthers the interests of the commonwealth and its citizens, and will not impose an undue burden on ratepayers. Prior to making this determination, the department shall hold at least one public hearing.

(d) Every municipal lighting plant shall provide a minimum percentage of kilowatt-hours sales to end-use customers from Class I renewable energy generating sources, according to the following schedule: (1) at least 20 per cent between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2029; (2) at least 50 per cent between January 1, 2030, and December 31, 2034; and (3) at least 80 per cent in 2035 and every year thereafter. Every municipal light plant shall provide 100 per cent clean electricity, as defined in chapter 25D, to its customers in 2035 and every year thereafter.

(e) Each municipal light plant shall file a plan with the department no later than December 31, 2023, indicating how it will satisfy the requirements of subsection (d), including annual benchmarks. A municipal lighting plant may not count renewable electricity or clean electricity it has generated or purchased toward this requirement if the renewable or clean attributes of that electricity have been claimed by another utility or entity.

(f) The department of energy resources shall take all actions necessary to achieve the objectives of this section. The provisions of this section shall be legally enforceable by any citizen of the commonwealth.

(g) The department of energy resources may grant exemptions to the requirements of this section, for a period of no longer than 3 years, for emergency services and for other energy uses for which there is no feasible clean energy option. The department may renew exemptions for subsequent 3-year periods. The department shall hold at least one public hearing before granting or renewing an exemption.

(h) In promulgating regulations to implement the requirements of this section, the department shall consider how to minimize costs and maximize economic, social, public health, and environmental benefits for residents of environmental justice populations, as defined in chapter 25D.

SECTION 6. Chapter 25A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 18. 100 Percent Clean Buildings.

(a) Beginning January 1, 2025, all new buildings built in the commonwealth shall only use clean energy technologies, as defined in chapter 25D, for space heating and cooling and water heating and cooling, and shall be highly energy efficient, including a building envelope that meets passive house standards and efficient appliances, lighting fixtures, and plumbing fixtures.

(b) The department of energy resources may delay the requirements of subsection (a) until January 1, 2030, for specific types of buildings; provided, that detached one and two-family dwellings, multiple single-family dwellings not more than three stories in height, and commercial buildings consisting of less than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area shall not be granted a delay.

(c) The department of energy resources shall develop and adopt amendments to the state building code, in consultation with the board of building regulations and standards, to enforce the requirements of subsection (a).

(d) The department of energy resources shall establish a clean heating trust fund to subsidize the conversion of existing residential and commercial buildings to clean energy technologies, as defined in chapter 25D, for space heating and cooling and water heating and cooling. The department shall designate a dedicated funding source for the trust fund, accept funds from other sources into the trust fund as available, establish procedures to disburse funds to building owners and tenants, and develop a public education and outreach program to educate building owners and tenants about clean energy technologies for heating.

(e) Between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2030, the commonwealth, electric and gas distribution companies, and municipal aggregators with certified clean energy plans shall retrofit no fewer than 1,000,000 residential units and 300,000,000 square feet of commercial real estate to be highly energy efficient and to use clean energy technologies, as defined in chapter 25D, for space heating and cooling and water heating and cooling. The department of energy resources shall propose revisions and additions to the three-year energy efficiency plans adopted under chapter 25 to meet these requirements, in consultation with the department of public utilities, the electric and gas distribution companies, and municipal aggregators with certified clean energy plans. The department of public utilities shall adopt such revisions and additions to the three-year energy efficiency plans as are necessary to achieve the objectives of this section.

(f) After January 1, 2025, public or ratepayer funds shall not be used to subsidize the installation of combustion-based heating systems.

(g) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of wood heating in residential buildings.

(h) The department of energy resources and the department of public utilities shall take all actions necessary to achieve the objectives of this section. The provisions of this section shall be legally enforceable by any citizen of the commonwealth.

(i) The department of energy resources may grant exemptions to the requirements of this section, for a period of no longer than 3 years, for emergency services and for other energy uses for which there is no feasible clean energy option. The department may renew exemptions for subsequent 3-year periods. The department shall hold at least one public hearing before granting or renewing an exemption.

(j) In promulgating regulations to implement the requirements of this section, the department of energy resources and the department of public utilities shall consider how to minimize costs and maximize economic, social, public health, and environmental benefits for residents of environmental justice populations, as defined in chapter 25D.

SECTION 7. Chapter 6C of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 76 the following section:-

Section 77. 100 Percent Clean Transportation.

(a) No later than 2035, and each year thereafter, 100 per cent of the light-duty vehicles sold in the commonwealth shall be zero emission vehicles. In 2030, at least 30 per cent of the medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles sold in the commonwealth shall be zero emission vehicles, and the share of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicle sales that are zero emission vehicles shall increase to 100 per cent over time.

(b) The department of environmental protection shall adopt any revisions to the California Low Emission Vehicle program authorized in chapter 111, sections 142A–142M, that will help achieve the objectives of subsection (a). The department of environmental protection and the department of transportation shall take all other actions necessary to achieve these objectives, such as providing incentives for electric vehicle or other zero emission vehicle purchases and adopting regional mechanisms authorized in section 7 of chapter 21N.

(c) All buses operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall be zero emission vehicles by January 1, 2030. All buses operated by regional transit authorities created under chapter 161B shall be zero emission vehicles by January 1, 2035.

(d) The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall convert at least three commuter rail lines to run on electric power by 2026, and convert all of its commuter rail lines to run on electric power by 2035. Where feasible, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall combine the electrification of commuter rail lines with other infrastructure improvements enabling fast, frequent, all-day transit service to communities throughout the Greater Boston metropolitan region, including high-level platforms; the addition of second platforms; track, signal, and switch upgrades; the addition of double track and triple track sections; and the construction of new stations.

(e) There shall be a main streets office within the department of transportation. The office shall provide technical assistance, training and funding for municipalities to reduce transportation sector energy use and strengthen and revitalize their historic commercial districts by: (1) improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure within commercial districts and connecting commercial districts with other neighborhoods; (2) creating bus-only lanes to enhance transit service to, from, and within commercial districts; (3) where appropriate, setting aside portions of streets in commercial districts as pedestrian-only zones; (4) installing seating, plantings, and other streetscape improvements in commercial districts; (5) modifying zoning codes to allow for and encourage multi-family, mixed-use and transit-oriented development in and near commercial districts; and (6) taking other actions to promote vibrant walkable, bikeable, and transit-accessible neighborhoods where people live, work, shop, and socialize. The main streets office shall designate a municipality as a main streets community when it has demonstrated a commitment to the goals of the program by completing certain actions or adopting certain bylaws and policies as determined by the office. The main streets office, other offices in the department of transportation, and other state agencies shall offer enhanced funding opportunities for main streets communities.

(f) The department of transportation and the department of environmental protection shall take all actions necessary to achieve the objectives of this section. The provisions of this section shall be legally enforceable by any citizen of the commonwealth.

(g) The department of transportation and the department of environmental protection may grant exemptions to the requirements of this section, for a period of no longer than 3 years, for emergency services and for other energy uses for which there is no feasible clean energy option. The departments shall consider how the requirements of this section may apply to vehicles traveling into the commonwealth from other states, and may exempt those vehicles from the requirements of this section if those vehicles are not registered to owners in the commonwealth. The departments may renew exemptions for subsequent 3-year periods. The departments shall hold at least one public hearing before granting or renewing an exemption.

(i) In promulgating regulations to implement the requirements of this section, the department of transportation and the department of environmental protection shall consider how to minimize costs and maximize economic, social, public health, and environmental benefits for residents of environmental justice populations, as defined in chapter 25D.

SECTION 8. The provisions of this act shall become effective 90 days from the passage of this act, except where otherwise specified.