HD 1509 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act establishing the gateway cities renewable, efficient, and electrified neighborhoods initiative

This bill establishes the GREEN Initiative to retrofit low and moderate-income housing in qualifying Massachusetts municipalities (including "gateway cities" and smaller qualifying towns) to be highly energy efficient, use clean heating/cooking technologies (like heat pumps and induction stoves), and prioritize on-site renewable energy where possible. It creates a dedicated GREEN Initiative Account funded by utility companies (up to $30 million annually) to cover retrofit costs, including pre-work upgrades, and provides financial incentives for sponsors like municipalities or nonprofits. The initiative requires tenant protections against rent increases tied to retrofits through "tenant-owner weatherization agreements" and prioritizes buildings with six or fewer housing units. Sponsors must collect data, share project results publicly in multiple languages, and meet goals for minority/women-owned contractor participation.
Bill status Introduction 0 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor