Energy (Oil & Gas) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 31, 2026

H 5634: Amendment H.5634

This bill authorizes the Buzzards Bay Water District to grant permanent and temporary easements to Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC for the installation and maintenance of natural gas pipelines and an access road on specific property in Bourne. In exchange for these rights, Algonquin must pay the water district an amount equal to the fair market value or value in use of the affected land interests, whichever is higher. The district is required to hold this payment in a dedicated account and use it within three years to acquire or improve land for public open space purposes under state constitutional requirements.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 1, 2026

S 3163: Amendment S.3163

This bill amends Massachusetts gas regulations to restrict new gas facilities and expansions within five miles of environmental justice neighborhoods unless they are strictly necessary for public safety. It also mandates that gas companies submit biennial just transition plans to the Department of Public Utilities, detailing strategies for workforce retention, training, and managing the shift to net-zero emissions by 2050. These provisions require companies to outline specific measures for hiring, cross-training, and mitigating the impact of potential job losses as they phase out natural gas infrastructure. The legislation applies to all gas distribution and transmission companies operating in the state, ensuring they address both community environmental concerns and the needs of their employees during the energy transition.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Environmental Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

S 3167: Amendment S.3167

This bill amends Massachusetts gas laws to stop utility companies from passing the costs of connecting new customers to existing gas lines onto all ratepayers. Instead, the person requesting the new service must pay the full cost of the connection unless they can prove there is no technically feasible alternative to using natural gas or meet specific critical economic or industrial needs. The law requires the state energy department to consider climate goals and energy efficiency when approving gas rates and mandates that all utility tariffs be updated by July 2029 to reflect these new rules.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3369: An Act establishing a climate change superfund

HD 3369 establishes a Climate Change Adaptation Superfund to finance projects that help communities prepare for and recover from climate impacts. It requires fossil fuel companies and entities that extracted coal, oil, or natural gas in Massachusetts between 1995 and 2024 to pay into the fund based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. Payments will support concrete adaptation projects like upgrading stormwater systems, retrofitting public buildings for energy efficiency, and protecting communities from extreme weather. The fund prioritizes environmental justice communities - neighborhoods with high poverty rates, minority populations, or limited English proficiency - to ensure equitable access to climate resilience efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coal Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas Climate Change Environmental Justice Hazardous Materials

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 569: An Act protecting our coasts from offshore drilling

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 569) of Julian Cyr for legislation to protect our coasts from offshore drilling. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 863: An Act providing for natural gas workforce safety

This bill requires Massachusetts natural gas companies to establish performance-based rate systems with strict service quality standards focused on safety and workforce protections. It mandates that companies submit "just transition plans" detailing how they will maintain staffing levels, provide worker training, and mitigate job impacts during the shift to net-zero emissions, including specific benchmarks for in-house staffing and cross-training. The bill prohibits workforce reductions below January 1, 2022 levels without department approval or collective bargaining agreement, ensuring pipeline safety remains prioritized. These plans must address infrastructure upgrades, leak reduction, and pension solvency, with the Department of Public Utilities overseeing compliance and reporting on consumer claims.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Collective Bargaining

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 788: An Act protecting our coasts from offshore drilling

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 569) of Julian Cyr for legislation to protect our coasts from offshore drilling. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 26, 2026

H 951: An Act to eliminate hydraulic fracturing in the Commonwealth

H 951 would ban fracking, a method for extracting oil and natural gas from underground rock, across Massachusetts. It would directly affect oil and gas companies by prohibiting all hydraulic fracturing operations within the state. The bill would establish a statewide prohibition on fracking, making it illegal to conduct such activities. This would prevent new fracking projects and end any current use of the method.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2059: An Act providing for natural gas workforce safety

SD 2059 requires Massachusetts natural gas companies to develop and submit "just transition plans" to the Department of Public Utilities. These plans must detail how the companies will maintain safe pipeline operations, retain sufficient staffing levels (at or above January 2022 levels unless through collective bargaining or approved reductions), provide workforce training for the shift to net-zero energy, and prevent employee displacement during the transition. The bill also mandates that gas companies establish service quality standards covering safety, infrastructure repairs, and employee training, while requiring them to file infrastructure replacement plans focused on reducing leaks and improving public safety. Additionally, it creates a 60-day timeline for resolving small customer claims under $100 and requires biannual reports on consumer claims to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3792: An Act authorizing independent retirement systems to divest from fossil fuel companies

This bill allows Massachusetts public pension funds (like state employee retirement systems) to sell investments in fossil fuel companies and shift toward fossil fuel-free investments. It authorizes these funds to divest from companies in coal, oil, or gas sectors (defined by specific industry codes) and invest in index funds or other options without fossil fuel holdings. The change requires following the fund's existing procurement process under Chapter 32, Section 23B. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

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