Gov. Charlie Baker signed new energy legislation into law on Monday, which aims help stabilize electric rates, offer more diverse energy sources and take advantage of new technologies.
An Act Relative to Energy Diversity (H. 4568) requires utilities to competitively solicit and contract for approximately 1,200 megawatts (MW) of clean energy generation, including base load hydropower, onshore wind and solar supported by hydropower, standalone onshore wind, solar or other Class I renewable resources, and allows for the procurement of approximately 1,600 MW of offshore wind. The bill spurs the development of an emerging offshore wind industry to create jobs and represent the largest commitment by any state in the nation to offshore wind, according to a statement from Baker’s office.
“Massachusetts is always at the forefront of adopting innovative clean energy solutions, and this legislation will allow us to build on that legacy and embrace increased amounts of renewable energy, including hydropower,” Baker said in a statement. “With our partners in the Legislature, the commonwealth has taken another major step toward providing residents and businesses with a cost-effective and reliable clean energy future.”
Additionally, the law establishes a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, facilitated through MassDevelopment and the Department of Energy Resources. PACE will enable commercial and industrial property owners across the state to finance comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades that are repaid through a property tax assessment on their building.
The state’s Department of Energy Resources will be responsible for studying large-scale energy storage technology (such as batteries, flywheels, thermal and compressed air technologies) and set a procurement target for 2020.
“Energy storage technology has the potential to be a game-changer for the Massachusetts energy market, further cementing our place as a national clean energy leader,” Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson said in a statement. “By pairing renewable energy resources with energy storage technology, this legislation will allow the commonwealth to lower energy costs for ratepayers, shave our peak demand energy usage and reduce our state’s carbon emissions.”
