Energy

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 2231: An Act to establish home energy efficiency ratings

This bill establishes a voluntary municipal program requiring energy assessments and standardized energy performance ratings for residential homes before sale or lease in Massachusetts. It defines key terms like "energy assessment" (an on-site evaluation of a home's energy use) and "energy performance rating" (a standardized score valid for 8 years), and mandates that assessors provide these ratings to owners, buyers, and the state. The program provides grants to municipalities, nonprofits, and energy assessors to cover costs like assessments, training, and adapting software, while ensuring ratings exclude unnecessary personal data. Homeowners and landlords will face new compliance costs for assessments, but the program is opt-in for municipalities and does not apply to new construction.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes home energy efficiency ratings, promoting reduced energy consumption and supporting clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2256: An Act establishing the gateway cities renewable, efficient, and electrified neighborhoods initiative

This bill creates the GREEN Initiative to retrofit existing low- and moderate-income housing in designated "gateway" municipalities (or smaller qualifying communities) to meet ultra-energy-efficient standards. It requires retrofits to use clean heating (like heat pumps) and cooking technologies (like induction stoves), with priority for buildings under six housing units. Funding comes from utility companies (up to $30 million annually) and other sources, while protecting tenants from rent hikes tied to weatherization work through enforceable "tenant-owner agreements." The goal is to reduce emissions in affordable housing through energy-efficient upgrades powered by renewable electricity where possible.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes GREEN initiative to retrofit housing for energy efficiency, directly advancing energy efficiency standards and renewable energy infrastructure through housing retrofits.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds energy efficiency retrofits for low/moderate-income housing, reducing utility costs and enhancing affordability in existing housing stock.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 3460: An Act relative to energy efficiency education

HD 675 requires statewide education and training programs for commercial building managers (including those at private and non-profit properties) to improve energy efficiency. The bill mandates that energy plans include in-depth training on reducing electricity, gas, and oil use through best practices, new technologies, and monitoring systems, offered both in-person and online. Training must be approved by a five-member advisory committee and funded through a 70/30 split between utility companies (using energy efficiency funds) and attendees (paying no more than 30% of costs). Programs must begin by September 1, 2026, and may use existing offerings like the Building Operators Certificate Program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes program to educate commercial building managers on energy efficiency, directly promoting efficiency gains per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2243: An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility

This bill requires Massachusetts state and municipal agencies to follow new outdoor lighting standards when using public funds for new permanent fixtures. It mandates fully shielded fixtures for most outdoor lighting (like roadways and parking lots), limits color temperature to 3000K or lower, and requires lighting to use only necessary brightness levels to reduce energy waste and light pollution. The regulations must be established by January 2026, with exemptions for temporary uses, safety needs, historic structures, and certain decorative lighting. These rules directly affect towns, cities, and state agencies managing public lighting projects funded by state or municipal budgets.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes energy efficient lighting and conserves energy, directly aligning with support indicators for energy efficiency measures.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly promotes energy-efficient lighting, conserves energy, and reduces light pollution - directly advancing environmental protection and conservation goals.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 3494: An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility

HD 2800 requires state and municipal agencies using public funds to install new permanent outdoor lighting to meet specific energy and light pollution standards by 2026. Key provisions include mandating fully shielded fixtures (except for ornamental lighting or historic structures), limiting light color to 3000K or warmer, minimizing glare and light trespass, and using only necessary illuminance levels. The bill directly affects how municipalities and state agencies fund, install, and operate outdoor lighting like streetlights, parking lots, and building façades. It aims to conserve energy and improve night sky visibility by reducing unnecessary or poorly directed light. Regulations must be finalized by January 2026, with exemptions for emergencies, aviation safety, and certain historical or decorative lighting.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly aims to conserve energy through improved outdoor lighting standards, directly aligning with energy efficiency indicators.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2090: An Act relative to commercial renewable investments

By Mr. Tarr (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2090) of Sofia Isabella FloresQuero Llamas, and Mariah Delaney Eskel, for legislation relative to energy tax credits for corporations. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides corporate tax credits for renewable energy investments, advancing tax relief under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides corporate tax credits for renewable energy investments, directly advancing renewable energy adoption per title and summary.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4463: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities

This bill creates a Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Planning Commission to assess and improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, accessibility, and safety in all public higher education buildings across Massachusetts. The commission, including representatives from universities, labor groups, health and environmental organizations, must develop standards by 2028 and create a plan to ensure all public college/university buildings meet these standards by 2037. It requires public reporting through an online dashboard tracking building assessments and prioritizes renovations for facilities serving underserved communities or with the greatest health/safety needs. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund to finance these upgrades using state appropriations, grants, and other sources, with cost-benefit analyses comparing long-term savings to upfront investments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationImproves physical infrastructure for higher education buildings, enhancing safety, accessibility, and environmental quality - directly advancing educational environment standards.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy efficiency standards for public college buildings, directly advancing energy conservation goals through commission-led planning and implementation timelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy efficiency standards and indoor air quality improvements in public buildings, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and healthier facilities by 2037.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncludes labor groups in commission to improve building safety standards, directly addressing workplace safety under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency Air Quality

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

SD 3253: Municipal Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Program Report

Report of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (pursuant to Section 84 of Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022) submitting its Department of Energy Resources Municipal Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Program report

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates report on Municipal Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Program, directly reducing fossil fuel dependence per title and summary.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3529: An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization

This bill establishes "green plus communities" for municipalities that meet specific climate action requirements, including creating a 5-year plan to cut building emissions by at least 20% and adopting stricter energy codes. It allocates $40 million for energy programs, with $10 million specifically for green plus communities, and sets annual carbon intensity limits for large buildings that must decrease over time. Building owners must comply with these limits or use approved alternatives like on-site renewable energy, with reduced fees for low-income buildings and small businesses. The bill also creates a retrofit funding program to support deep energy upgrades (excluding fossil fuel conversions) and requires standardized reporting to avoid duplicate data collection.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill title 'building energy and decarbonization' directly promotes renewable energy infrastructure and carbon reduction, aligning with support indicators like decarbonization and clean energy advancement.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3565: An Act relative to Mass Save assessments

This bill requires Mass Save program administrators to offer free "zero-carbon assessments" to building owners, identifying measures to eliminate fossil fuel use (like insulation, window upgrades, and electric appliances) and listing available rebates. The assessments include safety checks for gas appliances and carbon monoxide, resulting in a report showing cost savings, health benefits, and a sample energy-efficient plan combining efficiency upgrades, solar, and storage. Utilities must collect and publish detailed energy data by zip code, and contractors must meet quality standards with preference for women/minority-owned businesses and those serving environmental justice communities. The policy applies to energy efficiency plans starting in 2025-2027.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill addresses Mass Save assessments, a program promoting energy efficiency through utility-funded rebates. Supports energy efficiency funding mechanism.90% confidence

Track