SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2439        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Brendan P. Crighton

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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 to streamline permitting for rail electrification.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2439        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

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 to streamline permitting for rail electrification.

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. Section 62 of Chapter 30 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following definitions:-

“Near-zero-emission rail infrastructure”, any infrastructure that supports light rail, heavy rail, regional rail, commuter rail, or intercity rail services which combine a conventional gasoline, diesel or natural gas-powered engine with a battery that can be charged from the electrical grid.

“Zero-emission rail infrastructure”, any infrastructure that supports light rail, heavy rail, regional rail, commuter rail, or intercity rail services which produce zero exhaust emissions of any pollutant or greenhouse gas under all possible operational modes or conditions.

SECTION 2. Chapter 30 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 62E1/2.

(a) Notwithstanding section 62B of chapter 30 or any other general or special law to the contrary, any project involving the construction of zero-emission or near-zero-emission rail vehicle infrastructure, or the upgrade of infrastructure into zero-emission or near-zero-emission rail vehicle infrastructure shall be exempted by the executive office of environmental affairs from the requirement to produce environmental impact reports, as specified under section 62E of chapter 30.

(b) Notwithstanding section 62B of chapter 30 or any other general or special law to the contrary, any project involving the construction of infrastructure to power zero-emission or near-zero-emission rail vehicles, or the upgrade of existing power infrastructure to support zero-emission or near-zero-emission rail vehicles shall be exempted by the executive office of environmental affairs from the requirement to produce environmental impact reports, as specified under section 62E of chapter 30.