The Massachusetts House has passed a bill that would set new state goals for renewable energy deployment and allow reforms while cutting 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 includes critical solar policy provisions that will help make our grid more reliable and affordable,” said Elena Weissmann, Northeast Regional Director at Vote Solar. “We are grateful to lawmakers for advancing policies that recognize the important role solar energy plays in strengthening our energy system, including an important amendment that allows the purchase of solar energy for affordable public housing. … By leveraging clean energy solutions like solar, we can create a more resilient energy grid and help lower energy costs for everyone, even those who don’t have solar themselves.”
It passed the Massachusetts House on Friday H5151which was created to address energy costs and clean energy deployment in the state. One of the provisions is the creation of a new ‘smart solar permitting platform’ focused on residential PV. This proposed solar permit reform aims to streamline the process by using an online platform for submitting project plans – one that would be available 24/7.
H5151 establishes a solar energy incentive for residential, C&I, and government projects. It will provide different levels of incentives based on project type, taking into account projects like community solar and those for low-income customers for different subsidies, according to the bill’s text. The bill does not specify incentive rates.
H5151 also sets a goal to purchase at least 10 GW of solar energy and 10 GW of offshore wind energy by 2040. However, the bill also reportedly cuts $1 billion Store massa state program that offers rebates and incentives to residential and commercial utilities for energy efficiency upgrades.
“At the same time, proposed cuts to the Commonwealth’s flagship energy efficiency program would significantly 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 working with lawmakers to ensure they address the real causes of rising energy bills, moving Massachusetts toward a clean energy future that works for everyone.”
