Amendment #865 to H5007

Renewable Energy

Mr. Vargas of Haverhill moves to amend the bill by adding at the end thereof the following new section:

SECTION XX. The department of energy resources shall study and make recommendations to the general court on methods and opportunities for coordination with other New England states undertaking competitive solicitations of long-term clean energy generation for the competitive solicitation of long-term clean energy generation, renewable energy certificates for energy and for a combination of both renewable energy certificates and energy, if applicable, in an amount the department determines necessary to meet the commonwealth’s renewable energy goals. In developing its recommendations, the department shall consider the potential costs and benefits of such coordination, and shall consider the ability of such solicitation to: (i) provide enhanced electricity reliability in the commonwealth and the region; (ii) provide cost-effective clean energy to electric ratepayers in the commonwealth and the region over the term of the contract, taking into consideration the potential economic and environmental benefits to ratepayers; (iii) avoid line loss and mitigate transmission costs to the extent possible and ensure that transmission cost overruns, if any, are not borne by ratepayers in the commonwealth or the region; (iv) adequately demonstrate project viability in a commercially-reasonable timeframe; (v) mitigate environmental impacts; and (vi) where feasible, create and foster employment and economic development in the commonwealth and in New England states. The department shall submit its recommendations to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy not later than September 1, 2022.

If it finds it beneficial to the commonwealth the department of energy resources may require the distribution companies to enter into cost-effective long-term contracts for clean energy generation and associated transmission.  Long-term contracts executed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of the department of public utilities and shall be apportioned among the distribution companies under this section.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #865 to H5007

Renewable Energy