HAGGERTY, MA HOUSE PASS LEGISLATION TO BOOST OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT, REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS

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BOSTON – In an effort to meet the Commonwealth’s climate goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) joined his House of Representatives colleagues in passing legislation to further develop the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts. The legislation will also modernize Massachusetts’ electrical grid and energy storage infrastructure, and create thousands of new jobs.

“I was proud to join my colleagues in the House in supporting legislation that aims to make our Commonwealth a national leader in clean offshore wind energy,” said Representative Haggerty. “The goal is to make our state and country more energy independent, decarbonize our economy, all while creating new good paying jobs for our residents. As a member of the Telecommunications, Utilities, & Energy Committee (TUE) I’ve been a strong supporter of this legislation throughout the process.”

“I strongly believe Massachusetts can be a national leader in the wind energy sector and enact public policy that will offer energy independence and substantial economic growth opportunity. We have used this template in the past to build the life sciences industry here very successfully in the Commonwealth – offering thousands of high paying jobs.”

“An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy” (H.4515):

  • Makes the Massachusetts offshore wind bidding process more competitive by removing a current price cap that requires bids to be less expensive than previous procurements that has deterred companies from participating in the procurement process. Future procurements would now include economic development, employment, and environmental and fisheries mitigation benefits.
  • Invests hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade in infrastructure, innovation, job training, supply chain capacity, and transmission upgrades. The legislation consists of tax incentives, grants, loans, and other investments.
  • Requires utility companies to proactively upgrade the transmission and distribution grid to improve reliability and resilience and accommodate the anticipated significant shift to renewable forms of energy.
  • Invests in long-term energy storage to help the Commonwealth’s transition to renewable energy.
    Provides thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on ensuring access and opportunity for everyone.
  • Creates a DESE high school offshore wind credential training pilot program through which DESE would reimburse school districts for each student that obtains the credential.

The legislation creates parity between electric and natural gas, imposing a charge for natural gas consumers to support renewable energy, similar to the charge electric customers currently pay. At a little over $1 a month for the average customer, this is estimated to collect $23 million a year over the next 10 years to support the Commonwealth’s transition to clean energy. By diversifying Massachusetts’ energy portfolio, Massachusetts will become more energy independent and less reliant on imported natural gas that is susceptible to volatile price spikes, thereby helping to stabilize ratepayer bills in the long term.

“An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy” (H.4515) passed the House of Representatives 144-12. It now goes to the Senate for their consideration.