Amendment #31 to H3987

Solar Siting

Ms. Sabadosa of Northampton moves to amend the bill in Section 28(a), line 107 after the words "preparedness program" by inserting the following: -  Priority will be given to solar projects in “built” environments and that use local solar providers. BioMap 2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape data developed by Mass Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy shall be used to help determine locations that are not appropriate for ground-mounted solar.

The Greenworks Infrastructure program shall additionally track the number of acres of forests and farmland cleared for SMART and non-SMART solar projects in collaboration with MEPA and the DCR, considering nearby solar projects that have been approved or built and analyzing the cumulative impacts on a given community or region. The Greenworks Infrastructure program shall further work to provide greater options and clarity for municipalities seeking to regulate solar siting, including “lookback” protections so that forests are not removed prior to permitting as a loophole to regulations and providing examples of current municipal regulations that are comprehensive in their evaluation of habitat and public health impact."