Summer 2016 – Massachusetts State Bill H.4357 – An act relative to the Energy Facilities Siting Board Senators Barrett, Lewis, L’Italien and Jamie Eldridge (senators to communities fighting current utility projects) attempted to fix the flawed energy facility siting process to be more thoughtful and responsible with respect to the environment, public health, and overall public well-being. Not just minimum construction cost.
Amendments 31 and 62 contain the language of H.4357.
Senator Eldridge moved that the current bill be amended by inserting at the end thereof the following section:-
SECTION X: Section 69H of Chapter 164 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
Energy Facilities Siting Board
“There is hereby established an energy facilities siting board within the department, but not under the supervision or control of the department. Said board shall implement the provisions contained in sections 69H to 69Q, inclusive, so as to provide a reliable energy supply for the commonwealth with a minimum impact on the environment and public health, and with a minimum impact on the overall wellbeing of residents abutting the project at the lowest possible cost after these impacts are considered. To accomplish this, the board shall review the environmental and public health impacts, the need for and the cost of transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, facilities for the manufacture and storage of gas, and oil facilities; provided, however, that the board shall review only the environmental impacts of generating facilities, consistent with the commonwealth’s policy of allowing market forces to determine the need for and cost of such facilities. Such reviews shall be conducted consistent with section 69J1/4 for generating facilities and with section 69J for all other facilities.”
Protect Sudbury requested, in writing, an emergency preamble to the language, to allow the amended law to take effect immediately after its passage.