The Massachusetts House has passed a bill that establishes new state renewable energy deployment goals and permitting reform, while slashing funding for an energy efficiency program.
Navisun completed two solar projects totaling 3.8 MW in Massachusetts with pollinator-friendly ground cover. Navisun
“The climate omnibus bill contains critical solar policy provisions that will help make our grid more reliable and more affordable,” said Elena Weissmann, Northeast regional director at Vote solar. “We are grateful to lawmakers for advancing policies that recognize the important role solar plays in strengthening our energy system, including a key amendment enabling solar procurement for public affordable housing. … By utilizing clean energy solutions like solar, we can create a more resilient energy grid and help lower energy costs for everyone—even for those without solar themselves.”
On Friday, the Massachusetts House enacted H5151, which was drafted to address energy costs and clean power deployment in the state. Among the provisions is the creation of a new “smart solar permitting platform” centered on residential PV. This proposed solar permitting reform is aimed at streamlining the process by using an online platform for submitting project plans — one that would be available 24/7.
H5151 is establishing a solar incentive for residential, C&I and government projects. It will offer different levels of incentives based on the project type, considering projects like community solar and those for low-income customers for varying subsidies, according to the bill’s text. No incentive rates were specified in the bill.
H5151 also sets a goal of procuring at least 10 GW of solar energy and 10 GW of offshore wind power by 2040. However, the bill has also reportedly cut $1 billion to Mass Save, a state program providing rebates and incentives to residential and commercial utility customers for energy efficiency upgrades.
“At the same time, the proposed funding cuts to the Commonwealth’s nation-leading energy efficiency program would meaningfully harm our state’s efforts to address the energy affordability crisis,” Weissmann said. “Maintaining strong investments in proven programs like Mass Save is essential to lowering energy bills and reducing demand on our energy grid. As this process continues, we look forward to collaborating with lawmakers to ensure that they address the true drivers of rising energy bills, leading Massachusetts toward a clean energy future that works for everyone.”
