Last week, Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick signed The Green Communities Act (S. 2768), representing a three-way compromise with the House and the Senate.

 

This is a comprehensive new law.  Among the provisions with the most direct effect on land use are:

 

-The law requires utility companies to enter into 10- to 15-year contracts with renewable energy developers to help developers of clean energy technology obtain financing to build their projects.

 

-The law also makes it possible for people who own wind turbines and solar-generated power to sell their excess electricity into the grid (“net-metering”) at favorable rates.

 

-The measure also authorizes utility companies to own solar electric installations they put on their customers’ roofs – a practice that was previously prohibited.

 

-The law provides technical and financial assistance to municipalities for energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts, with an investment of $10 million in funding to support it.

 

-The law requires the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards to adopt, as its minimum standard, the latest edition of the International Energy Conservation Code as part of the State Building Code.

 

 

To view the Governor’s Press Release see: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3pressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3&b=pressrelease&f=080702_bill_energy_clean&csid=Agov3

 

The 98 page bill (along with a bill summary) can be accessed at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st02pdf/st02768.pdf

 

For another summary see: http://www.clf.org/uploadedFiles/CLF%20Green%20Communities%20Summary_6-24-08FINAL.pdf