(BOSTON) – Today, Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives in a vote to pass H.4515, An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy, which makes historic investments in and establishes incentives for increased offshore wind development in the Commonwealth.
The legislation would establish a $50 million tax incentive program for capital investments and employment in the wind sector, fund wind technology and innovation through utility bill surcharges, create new environmental and fishing industry-related requirements for offshore wind projects, and institute important cost containment safeguards for the wind energy bidding process.
In addition, the legislation directs electric utilities to develop grid modernization plans and submit them for review, and the bill calls for a study conducted by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to examine the viability of a solicitation for energy storage installations. The bill also supports the creation of job training pilot programs in the wind sector and directs DOER to engage in a competitive solicitation process for offshore wind energy transmission proposals to support generation projects.
“This legislation offers a unique opportunity to invest in the Commonwealth’s clean energy future, to strengthen workforce development, and to work towards the goals set forth in the 2050 Next Generation Climate Roadmap, ” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “I am grateful to Speaker Mariano for making investment in clean energy a priority and to Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, Jeff Roy, for his leadership on this important issue.”
Announced as a priority for Speaker Mariano during a boat tour of the Block Island Wind Farm attended by members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy aims to re-establish the Commonwealth as a leader in offshore wind energy production.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
