Energy

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

SD 3173: An Act prohibiting exorbitant energy delivery charges

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to prohibit exorbitant energy delivery charges. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProhibits excessive utility charges, protecting consumers from unreasonable energy delivery costs85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2322: An Act to ensure adequate and affordable energy

This bill requires Massachusetts to create a comprehensive energy plan every three years, starting in 2026, to project electricity, transportation, and heating needs while prioritizing conservation and efficiency to meet the state's 2030 and 2040 climate goals. It also mandates that state energy agencies monitor supply and costs, and if a shortage or consumer cost increase exceeding 10% is forecast within a year, they must develop a public contingency plan. The plan must detail the cause, proposed actions, responsible agencies, and timeline, and include at least one public hearing and input from relevant state entities. This ensures proactive planning for energy reliability and affordability, with all plans made publicly available.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly aims to ensure adequate and affordable energy, aligning with consumer protection and energy policy advancement.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3562: An Act to study the feasibility of installing solar panels on municipal and state buildings and land

This bill (HD 4128) requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to study whether installing solar panels on municipal and state buildings and land is feasible, including identifying potential funding sources. The study must examine practical implementation options and financial mechanisms for such projects. The Secretary must submit a final report to state legislative clerks, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Environment Committee within one year of the bill's passage. This study is a procedural step to inform future decisions, not an immediate mandate for solar installations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill proposes study for solar panel installation on public buildings, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and clean energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill proposes study to install solar panels on public buildings, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing carbon emissions per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2232: An Act to exempt solar installations on federal military lands from renewable energy production caps

SD 2004 exempts solar energy projects on federal military lands in Massachusetts from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits. It allows electric distribution companies to build, own, and operate solar facilities on these lands without using customer ratepayer funds or needing department approval. This directly affects military installations and utility companies by removing barriers to solar development on federal military property within the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempting solar installations from renewable energy production caps directly promotes expanded renewable energy deployment on federal military lands.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts solar installations from caps, enabling expanded renewable energy use on military lands, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing renewable energy restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 3499: An Act to promote low-income access to solar

HD 2664 requires Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources to make solar incentive programs accessible to low-income renters and small businesses. It creates a verification process using income thresholds (80% of area median income or 200% of federal poverty level) or proof of participation in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, or housing assistance. The bill bans credit checks for eligibility, prohibits early termination fees for residential customers, and mandates monthly updates for solar credits. Multi-unit buildings qualifying as low-income housing (e.g., under Chapter 40B) are exempt from program limits like bill credit maximums.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes solar incentives for low-income renters/customers, enhancing renewable energy access and equity per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3526: An Act relative to large-scale solar energy installations on agricultural or recreational land of the Commonwealth

HD 3529 requires that any large-scale solar energy installation (over 5 acres) on agricultural or recreational land in Massachusetts must be accompanied by the dedication of an equivalent amount of land for agricultural or recreational use. The bill mandates that the state commissioner certifies this replacement land before installation, recording the certification in the registry of deeds at least 30 days in advance. This directly affects solar developers and landowners seeking to install solar projects on designated farmland or recreational areas like parks and trails. The key mechanism is a land-for-land requirement to ensure the loss of agricultural or recreational use is offset by new dedicated land. The bill does not alter existing land use rules but adds this certification step for new large-scale solar projects on specific land types.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill permits large-scale solar installations on agricultural/recreational land, advancing renewable energy development and aligning with clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes large-scale solar energy installations, advancing clean energy adoption and renewable infrastructure without environmental harm indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 2302: An Act relative to solar for state agencies

SD 2474 requires Massachusetts state agencies to install solar energy systems on new state buildings or major renovations costing over $25,000, effective January 1, 2026. The bill mandates that these systems must cover 100% of a building’s annual electricity needs if sufficient roof space exists, or use the maximum feasible solar capacity otherwise. Agencies may seek exemptions if roof space is too small (under 80 sq ft) or if a qualifying alternative renewable system (like wind or geothermal) meets the same electricity output goal. This applies specifically to state-owned facilities, aiming to increase solar use without imposing new costs on private citizens.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires state agencies to install solar energy systems for new/renovated facilities, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and clean infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2267: Resolve relative to a feasibility report on solar rooftop energy on new buildings

SD 1671 establishes a 12-member legislative commission to study solar energy requirements for new buildings. The commission, including representatives from real estate, solar industry, labor, environmental groups, and local government, will review current building codes and policies to assess the feasibility of requiring rooftop solar systems and battery storage on new construction. Its report, due by January 1, 2026, will evaluate how such requirements could support Massachusetts' greenhouse gas goals and include specific policy recommendations. This bill creates a study process, not a direct policy change.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill initiates feasibility review for rooftop solar on new buildings, a renewable energy policy step aligning with promoting solar adoption and clean energy infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2321: An Act relative to renewable energy production technologies

SD 161 amends a section of the General Laws governing renewable energy production. The bill removes the phrase "such solar" and inserts "solar" after every instance of the word "each" in the specified subsection. This change ensures the law explicitly applies to solar energy technologies within the existing regulatory framework. The bill directly affects how solar energy production projects are regulated under the amended law. It is a technical clarification to align the statute with solar energy-specific provisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly targets renewable energy production technologies, aligning with support indicators like promoting clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly promotes renewable energy production technologies, directly advancing clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 2296: An Act to encourage solar development on built and disturbed land

This bill allows larger solar installations (up to 5 megawatts) on "built land" like parking lots, landfills, and brownfields, expanding previous capacity limits. It defines "disturbed land" (e.g., gravel pits, abandoned dumps) and "built land" (including solar canopies on parking lots) to clarify eligible sites. The bill creates financial incentives through the solar incentive program, including higher payments for projects on these lands and adjustments for material costs. It requires implementation by December 31, 2025, for new regulations and reporting on equitable solar deployment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes solar development on existing land, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and aligning with clean energy investment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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