Amendment #2 to H4198

Expanding Access, Transparency, and Equity in the MA Energy Sector

Representatives Sciortino of Medford and Provost of Somerville moves to amend the amendment inserting after section 44 the following two sections:

“SECTION XX.  Chapter 25 of the General Laws is amended in Section 21 by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsections:-

(f) In implementing its energy efficiency plan, each electric and natural gas distribution company Program Administrator, and any other entity that receives public subsidy and provides energy efficiency services shall, in consultation with the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, as defined by section 22 of chapter 25 of the General Laws, and subject to the approval of the Department of Public Utilities:

(1) Report aggregate residential and commercial ratepayer data for those who receiveenergy efficiency program benefits to the Department Of Energy Resources. The report              shall specify for each zip code the number of participants served; energy efficiency              measures provided; program and participant dollars spent per measure; energy savings per measure; and the number of participants that reside in rental units.             

(2) Not later than January 1, 2013 and every January 1 and July 1 of each year thereafter, each electric,  and any other entity that receives public subsidy and provides energy efficiency services shall submit the data identified in Section (f)(1) to the Department Of Energy Resources.

(g) The Department Of Energy Resources shall establish and maintain a database to store and manage all energy efficiency program data collected under section (f) of chapter 25.

(h) The Department Of Energy Resources shall establish annual benchmarks for reaching the statewide goals and providing equitable access to historically harder-to-reach segments, including, but not limited to, residential rental properties, low and moderate-income homeowners and renters (those earning up to 120% state median income), communities whose primary language is not English, and small commercial businesses, which may not be participating at rates commensurate with the funds that they are paying into the programs as ratepayers.

(i) Not later than January 1, 2014 and every January 1 of each year thereafter, the Department Of Energy Resources shall provide a report to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and the public through the department, demonstrating whether energy efficiency programs are reaching ratepayers and buildings equitably.

(j) The Department Of Energy Resources shall promulgate regulations to implement the requirements of this legislation within one year of enactment.

SECTION XX. Chapter 23J of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended in Section 5 by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:-

The center shall annually, no later than April 1, submit to the governor, the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, energy efficiency advisory council a report detailing the energy efficiency and green industry workforce development needs in the State. The report shall include:

(A) data on jobs created and demographic information about who is hired;

(B) recommended target hiring goals;

(C) average salaries and benefits information;

(D) recommended legislation to implement the proposed plan on a long-term basis.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #2 to H4198

Expanding Access, Transparency, and Equity in the MA Energy Sector