Amendment #15, as changed to H4912

Utility-Scale Renewable Thermal Energy Pilot Programs

Representatives Ehrlich of Marblehead and Minicucci of North Andover move to amend the bill, as amended, by inserting after section 20A the following new section:

SECTION 20B. The department of public utilities may, upon application of a gas company, as defined in section 1 of chapter 164 of the General Laws, authorize 1 or more pilot projects for the development of utility-scale renewable thermal energy, including non-carbon emitting technologies for energy savings and energy storage. Such application shall be filed with the department on or before January 1, 2023. The department may approve recovery of costs for pilot projects situated in the commonwealth that demonstrate the costs and benefits of: (i) utility-scale renewable thermal energy sources, systems or technologies capable of substituting for fossil-based natural gas; or (ii) utility-scale renewable thermal energy replacements for, or alternative uses of, infrastructure constructed originally to generate, transmit or distribute fossil-based natural gas; provided, however, that such substitute renewable thermal energy sources, systems or technologies, and such replacements or alternative uses, have a reasonable likelihood of facilitating substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that satisfy the mandates of greenhouse gas reductions set forth in chapter 21N of the General Laws; and provided further, that the pilots shall not include the blending of other fuels with fossil-based natural gas. The department may approve a pilot project in a gas system enhancement plan as replacement for leak prone infrastructure submitted pursuant to section 145 of chapter 164. The department may permit a gas company to bill for thermal energy developed by a pilot project. The department shall ensure transparency and validity of the outcomes of the pilot projects through a third-party evaluation and through reports by the department of energy resources. In determining whether to approve a pilot project, the department shall consider the reasonableness of the size, scope and scale of the pilot project and related budget and whether the benefits of the proposed pilot justify the proposed cost to participating and non-participating customers; provided, however, that the calculation of benefits shall include calculations of the social value of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The department may promulgate rules or regulations to implement this section.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #15, as changed to H4912

Utility-Scale Renewable Thermal Energy Pilot Programs