SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2449 FILED ON: 1/23/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael F. Rush, (BY REQUEST)
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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 placing a moratorium on fossil fuel infrastructure.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Rebecca Phillips |
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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2449 FILED ON: 1/23/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.
By Mr. Rush (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Rebecca Phillips for legislation to place a moratorium on fossil fuel infrastructure. 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 placing a moratorium on fossil fuel infrastructure.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 148 the following section-:
“Fossil Fuel Infrastructure” shall mean oil or gas wells, oil or gas pipelines and refineries; oil, coal or gas-fired power plants; oil and gas storage tanks; fossil fuel export terminals; and any other infrastructure used to store or refine fossil fuels.
"Natural Gas Infrastructure" shall mean fuel gas piping, other than service pipe, in or in connection with a building, structure or within the property lines of premises, extending from the point of delivery at the gas meter.
Notwithstanding any other law and beginning January 1, 2024, fossil fuel infrastructure and natural gas infrastructure shall not commence nor expand operations. This section does not prohibit a person from completing construction, including expansion, of fossil fuel infrastructure or natural gas infrastructure if the person had begun the construction, or expansion, before January 1, 2023.
Any person that violates this chapter is civilly liable for a penalty in an amount not to exceed a sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation per day. If, after examination of a complaint by the secretary or a member of the public and of the evidence, the Attorney General believes a violation of this chapter has occurred, the Attorney General shall bring an action for civil penalties or an injunction in the name of the people of this state in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person violating this chapter. If, acting upon the Attorney General’s own initiative, the Attorney General believes a violation of this chapter has occurred, the Attorney General may bring an action for civil penalties or an injunction in the name of the people of this state in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person violating this chapter.