HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1623        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Margaret R. Scarsdale

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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 resolve:

Resolve establishing a commission to consider the inclusion of nuclear energy in Massachusetts' future energy planning.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1623        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve establishing a commission to consider the inclusion of nuclear energy in Massachusetts' future energy planning.

Resolved, (a) There shall be a special Commission to study the advantages and advisability of including nuclear power generation in future planning for the energy needs of the Commonwealth.  The commission shall investigate: (1) the distinct benefits accruing from the inclusion of nuclear power in the generation portfolio for Massachusetts, (2) challenges and risks involved in nuclear power generation, (3) economics of nuclear power generation, and (4) comparison of nuclear energy to other available energy sources with respect to reliability and environmental impact, including the costs or benefits of not including nuclear power generation in Massachusetts’ energy portfolio.

(b) The Commission shall consist of 15 members, including 1 member appointed by the Senate President, who shall serve as co-chair; 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as co-chair; 2 members to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be the Secretary of Environmental Affairs or a designee, the executive director of ISO-NE or a designee, the chairman of the board of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company or a designee, the chair of the Nuclear Engineering Department at MIT or a designee, the chair of the nuclear engineering department at UMass Lowell or a designee, the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO or a designee representing labor interests, the Commissioner of the MA Department of Environmental Protection or a designee, and 5 members drawn from a range of energy advocacy NGOs including The Conservation Law Foundation, Eco-Nuclear Solutions, and other such organizations designated by each of the two co-chairs of the Commission.

(c) The commission shall submit a report of its findings and its recommendations for proposed legislation, if any, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, not later than December 1, 2026.