SENATE, No. 1929

SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission to study the energy consumption of the government of the commonwealth. The commission shall specifically review the annual level and cost of energy consumption by executive offices, departments, agencies and divisions of the commonwealth’s government over the past 3 fiscal years and shall develop a plan to conserve energy by reducing the government’s annual energy consumption rates by at least 10 per cent compared to the average consumption rates over the past 3 fiscal years and by increasing the use of energy efficiency methods. The commission shall investigate and devise a plan to include renewable energy sources in the government of the commonwealth’s energy portfolio. The commission shall also study the feasibility of utilizing innovative contracting and capital improvement planning to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy expenses in commonwealth facilities. The commission shall hold at least 4 statewide public hearings as part of its review. The commission shall report its findings and any proposed legislation to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives not later than December 31, 2005. A copy of such report shall also be submitted, by said date, with the secretary of administration and finance, who shall take steps necessary to implement the recommendations of the commission.

SECTION 2. The special commission shall consist of 16 members. 8 members shall be appointed by the governor, including the chair of the department of telecommunications and energy, or his designee; the commissioner of energy resources, or his designee; the commissioner of the division of capital asset management and maintenance, or his designee; the secretary of administration and finance, or his designee; the secretary of transportation, or his designee; the president of the University of Massachusetts or his designee; the superintendent of state office buildings or his designee; and a representative from the Massachusetts Technology Park Collaborative. 4 members shall be appointed by the senate president, including the senate chair of the joint committee on energy and the senate minority leader or his designee; a representative from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and a representative from an organization that addresses energy conservation issues. 4 members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, including the house chair of the joint committee on energy and the house minority leader or his designee; a representative from the National Association of Government Employees; and a representative from an organization that addresses energy conservation issues.