SENATE DOCKET, NO. 323 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2163
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jacob R. Oliveira
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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 prohibiting public and ratepayer funding of clearcutting forests and woodlands.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Jacob R. Oliveira | Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 323 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2163
By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2163) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to prohibit public and ratepayer funding of clearcutting forests and woodlands. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act prohibiting public and ratepayer funding of clearcutting forests and woodlands.
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. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of energy resources and department of public utilities shall amend any rules, regulations, and tariffs pursuant to section 11 of chapter 75 of the acts of 2016 or successor statute to prohibit from qualification any solar facility, including any solar energy generating source, that (1) has not received a statement of qualification, or similar official notice of approval, from the department prior to January 1, 2023 and (2) is greater than or equal to nameplate capacity of 500kW if such facility meets any of the following criteria:
(i) is located on a parcel that includes priority habitat as delineated by the division of fisheries and wildlife under chapter 131A.
(ii) is location on an area of critical environmental concern as designated by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs.
(iii) is located on forest land as defined in section 2 of chapter 61 of the general laws.
SECTION 2. A prohibition established in Section 1 shall not apply to facilities located on a brownfield or on eligible landfills as determined by the commissioner of the department of energy resources; nor shall such prohibition apply to building mounted facilities or facilities sited upon previously developed land.