SENATE DOCKET, NO. 730        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2304

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Mark C. Montigny

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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 strengthening offshore wind regulations.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 730        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2304

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act strengthening offshore wind regulations.

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.  Subsection (d) of section 83C of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, as appearing in section 12 of chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby amended by striking out the fifth clause and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-

(5) require that offshore wind energy generating resources to be used by a developer under the proposal meet the following criteria: (i) provide enhanced electricity reliability; (ii) contribute to reducing winter electricity price spikes; (iii) are cost effective to electric ratepayers in the commonwealth over the term of the contract, taking into consideration potential economic and environmental benefits to the ratepayers; (iv) avoid line loss and mitigate transmission costs to the extent possible and ensure that transmission cost overruns, if any, are not borne by ratepayers; (v) adequately demonstrate project viability in a commercially reasonable timeframe; (vii) allow offshore wind energy generation resources to be paired with energy storage systems; (viii) mitigate environmental impacts, marine mammal mortality, and disruptions to existing commercial fishing grounds; (xi) provide a bond or other security to ensure decommissioning or environmental remediation costs from mechanical failure, storm-related damage, or the end of useful life will not be borne by ratepayers, the commonwealth, or its subdivisions, and (xii) where feasible, create and foster employment and economic development in the commonwealth.

SECTION 2.  The department of public utilities shall promulgate updated regulations in accordance with section 1 no later than 180 days following passage of this act.