{"AmendmentNumber":"400","ParentBillNumber":"S3178","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"SND0","Name":"Sal N. DiDomenico","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/SND0","ResponseDate":"2026-07-20T11:14:30.77"},"Category":null,"Action":"Rejected","RollCall":[],"Title":"Proactive Infrastructure Investments","Branch":"Senate","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. DiDomenico moves that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:-\r\n\"SECTION ___. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, each electric distribution company may file a petition with the department of public utilities for approval of electric power system infrastructure investments designed to proactively accommodate any additional projected future capacity needs of businesses constructing new buildings in the commonwealth in order to promote economic development in the commonwealth.  Such additional distribution infrastructure investments shall be developed in consultation with the executive office of economic development and be designed to accelerate economic development and opportunities by enabling projected capacity needs of economic development projects, including increased demand associated with heating and cooling electrification and hosting capacity for distributed energy resources.  Each such additional distribution infrastructure investment shall be treated as small clean transmission and distribution infrastructure facilities as defined in chapter 25A of the General Laws.\r\nA petition filed with the department of public utilities pursuant to this section shall include:  (a) a description of the methodology used to identify projected capacity of economic development projects; (b) identify the proposed proactive improvements to the transmission or distribution system to facilitate economic development; (c) a timeline for construction of the transmission and distribution investments, (d) an evaluation of the projected costs and benefits of the investments; and (e) a letter of support from the secretary of economic development.\r\nThe department shall approve, with modifications or reject the petition within 9 months of submittal. In order to be approved, the department must find that the costs are reasonable compared to the projected economic benefits.  Approval of the petition shall be considered pre-authorization of the proposed investments and the Department shall not revisit whether the electric distribution company should have proceeded with the investments as proposed.\r\nAn electric distribution company shall then be permitted to begin recovery of the estimated costs of the proactive investments following approval through a dedicated cost recovery mechanism.  The cost recovery mechanism shall be designed to collect any revenue requirement, including depreciation, property taxes and return associated with the proactive investments.\r\nFollowing construction of the infrastructure investments, the electric distribution company shall file final project documentation to demonstrate that infrastructure costs were reasonably and prudently incurred. The department shall investigate the costs within six months of submission and shall approve and reconcile the authorized rate factor, if necessary, upon a determination that the costs were reasonable and prudent.\"\r\n"}