Amendment #6 to H4198

Hydro Upgrade Amendment

Mr. Kulik of Worthington moves to amend the amendment adding the following section:

Section XX.  (a)  The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center shall administer a Design and Construction Improvement Grant program, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Hydropower Program, for the purpose of funding upgrades and improvements to existing hydroelectric generation facilities located in the commonwealth that have incrementally increased generating capacity after December 31, 1997, provided that such upgrades and improvements are necessary for the facilities to qualify as a Class I or Class II renewable energy generating source pursuant to section 11F of chapter 25A of the general laws and 225 CMR 14.00.

(b)  Notwithstanding any rule or regulation to the contrary, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center shall have the right to draw upon and shall make available for the grant program developed pursuant to subsection (a) not less than thirty percent of all Class II alternative compliance payment funds generated under section 11F of chapter 25A of the general laws during the twelve months preceding the solicitation under said grant program.

(c)  Facilities that apply for the grant program developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be eligible for a grant for each such facility of up to an amount equal to the thirty percent of Class II alternative compliance payment funds made available under subsection (b); provided that sufficient funds are available for such grants.  No grant shall equal more than fifty percent of the total actual cost for the upgrades and improvements necessary for the facilities to qualify as a Class I or Class II renewable energy generating source pursuant to section 11F of chapter 25A of the general laws and 225 CMR 14.00.  In awarding grants under said program, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center shall give preference to facilities that either (i) have installed or implemented efficiency improvements resulting in an incremental generation capacity increase of ten megawatts or more, or (ii) have completed capacity upgrades or installed or implemented efficiency improvements for a facility of one megawatt or less prior to said capacity upgrades or efficiency improvements.

(d) The grant program outlined in subsections (a)-(c) shall terminate on December 31, 2014.