RESOLVE PROVIDING FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND STUDY BY A SPECIAL COMMISSION RELATIVE TO LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITY SITING AND USE.
RESOLVED, That there shall be a special commission to make an investigation and study of the siting and use of liquified natural gas facilities in the commonwealth. The commission shall consist of the co-chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, the co-chairs of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture, the co-chairs of the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, 2 members of the senate to be appointed by the senate president, 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the minority leader, 2 members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker, 1 member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the minority leader, the attorney general or his designee, the commissioner of the division of energy resources or his designee, the chair of the energy facilities siting board or his designee, the secretary of the executive office of public safety or his designee and the secretary of the executive office of environmental affairs or his designee.
The commission’s study shall include analysis of the projected increase in natural gas supply needs of the commonwealth related to energy generation, heating and related public safety and security issues. The commission shall consider the need for additional liquified natural gas import facilities in the commonwealth, the economic, public safety, and environmental impacts of siting a liquified natural gas import facility in the commonwealth, the respective roles of federal, state and local governments in the siting process, and the effects of any land takings or transfers that might be proposed with siting a liquified natural gas import facility. The commission shall also make recommendations about what restrictions, if any, should be implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration for any proposal within close proximity to Logan Airport, and about the appropriateness of siting liquified natural gas import facilities in close proximity to areas with high population density.
The commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry such recommendations into effect by filing them with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives on or before June 30, 2006. The commission may issue preliminary or interim reports to the general court before that date.
Approved March 10, 2006