Amendment #22 to H4377

Regarding an Energy Efficiency Task Force

Mr. Mom of Lowell moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

“SECTION XX. There shall be an energy efficiency task force to develop recommendations and proposed statutory changes for the creation of a successor energy efficiency program to be implemented starting in 2018 at the conclusion of the current three-year, statewide energy efficiency plan approved pursuant to section 21 of chapter 25 of the general laws.  In making its recommendations, the task force shall: consider the successes and challenges of the current program design; the role of the program administrators; the designation or creation of a single entity, other than a gas or electric company, to run the program; alternative funding mechanisms for energy efficiency, including a the creation of a “green bank”; identify targets for energy efficiency customer participation and system load reduction; and consider alternative program design and best practices implemented in other states and countries.  The task force shall consider, but not be constrained, by the current cost-effective test for program measures.".

The task force shall consist of 13 members or their designees: 1 of whom shall be the commissioner of the department of energy resources, who shall serve as chair; 1 of whom shall be the attorney general; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the house speaker; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader; 1 of whom shall be from the low-income weatherization and fuel assistance program network; 1 of whom shall be from the northeast energy efficiency partnership; and, 5 of whom who shall be appointed by the governor, including: 1 representative for businesses, including large C&I end-users; 1 representative of an energy efficiency business; 1 representative of an electric and natural gas distribution company; 1 representative of a municipal aggregator; and, 1 representative of an energy services company.

The task force shall convene its first meeting by October 1, 2016.  The task force may retain the assistance of experts to conduct research or facilitate the task force process.  The task force shall report on its recommendations, which may include drafts of legislation, to the Joint Committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy by June 1, 2017.”

Chapter 25A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 15, the following section:- Section 16.  (a) The department of energy resources may establish a carbon reduction research center. The carbon reduction research center shall be established to advance the Commonwealth’s carbon reduction goals. The carbon reduction research center may include, but not be limited to, any of the following research initiatives: fuel cells; energy storage technology; residential property assessed clean energy programming; commercial property assessed clean energy programming; increased efficiency of existing small domestic energy production; and increased efficiency of and cleaner use of traditional fossil based fuels. The carbon reduction research center shall be located upon a campus within the University of Massachusetts, as defined by section 1, of chapter 75 of the general laws, that meets the following criteria: (1) located within a gateway city; (2) located near the Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center; and (3) has access to academic resources necessary for civil, environmental, and nuclear engineering.”