Amendment #10 to H4739

Offshore Wind Energy Transmission

Representatives Brodeur of Melrose, Haddad of Somerset and Koczera of New Bedford move to amend the bill by adding the following sections:-

SECTION XX. Section 83B of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, as amended by chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby amended by inserting the following:-

At the end of the definition of “Long-term contract”, after the words “section 83D” insert the words:-

"or for a period of 20 to 30 years for offshore wind energy transmission pursuant to section 83C";

also at the end thereof insert the following definitions:-

“Offshore wind energy transmission developer”, a provider of electric transmission for offshore wind generation.

“Offshore wind energy transmission”, transmission that delivers electricity from offshore wind generation to the transmission system on the mainland.

SECTION XX.  Subsection (a) of section 83C of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, as amended by chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “offshore wind energy generation resource” the following words:-

"and offshore wind energy transmission";

and after the words “energy generation” the following words:-

"and offshore wind energy transmission".

SECTION XX.  Subsection (b) of section 83C of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, as amended by chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “shall occur within 24 months of a previous solicitation” the following words:-

"and shall specify that the distribution companies in coordination with the department of energy resources shall solicit competitive proposals for offshore wind energy transmission and that the distribution companies may select one or more proposals for offshore wind energy transmission sufficient to deliver energy generation procured pursuant to this section from designated wind energy areas for which an initial federal lease was issued on a competitive basis after January 1, 2012 that may be developed independent of said offshore wind energy generation; provided, however, that such transmission service be made available for use by more than one wind energy generation project and shall not exceed the generation capacity authorized by this section; and provided further, that any selection of offshore wind energy transmission is the most cost effective mechanism for procuring reliable, low cost offshore wind energy transmission service for Massachusetts ratepayers";

SECTION XX.  Clause (4) of Subsection (d) of section 83C of chapter 169 of the acts of 2008, as amended by chapter 188 of the acts of 2016, is hereby amended by inserting after the words: “offshore wind developers of offshore wind energy generation” the following words:-

"and offshore wind energy transmission developers of offshore wind energy transmission";

and by inserting after the words “transmission costs included in a bid” the following words :-

"or independently as offshore wind energy transmission,".