Background
On November 21, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity, and Protecting Ratepayers (2024 Climate Act).
In addition to other provisions, the 2024 Climate Act contains historic and comprehensive reforms of the state’s siting and permitting processes for clean energy infrastructure. The Commonwealth is required to promulgate regulations and guidance to implement these reforms by March 1, 2026.
The reforms to the siting and permitting processes are based on the recommendations of Governor Healey’s Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting. The existing permitting process was widely recognized as a key barrier to the development of clean energy and the Commonwealth’s ability to meet its future electricity demand and climate goals. The Commission included representatives from municipalities, environmental justice organizations, advocacy groups, electric utilities, agriculture, energy siting, the clean energy industry, labor, housing and real estate.
The law requires municipalities to offer an optional, expedited permitting process that features a consolidated application and a 12-month deadline for the municipal government to issue a final single decision. It also requires most infrastructure projects determine a site suitability score and propose minimization or mitigation where appropriate. Similarly, state permits will be issued together by the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) after a 15-month period. Appeals of municipal decisions will be directed to the EFSB, ending the years-long appeals process that has delayed vital infrastructure.
For more information about the state siting and permitting process, please visit the Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting Reforms webpage.
Regulations, Guidelines and Model Bylaws
The 2024 Climate Bill gives a March 2026 deadline for the promulgation of regulations.
Within this rule-making process, DOER is required to establish:
- Pre-filing requirements
- Public health, safety, and environmental standards
- A common standard application
- Standards for applying site suitability guidance
- A consolidated permit
- Guidance for procedures / timelines
- Rules around responsible parties subject to enforcement
- Processes for municipal fees for compensatory environmental mitigation
- Common conditions and requirements in case of constructive approval
These rules will be set through regulations. DOER will additionally publish guidelines to clarify these regulations. The regulations and guidelines are outlined below.
Draft Regulation
On September 15, 2025, DOER published its draft regulations for public comment.
225 CMR 29.00 - Small Clean Energy Infrastructure Facility Siting and Permitting (Draft)
On January 13, 2026, DOER filed its final regulations with the chairpersons of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. On February 13, 2026, the Department will file the regulations with Secretary of State’s office to be promulgated.
225 CMR 29.00 - Small Clean Energy Infrastructure Facility Siting and Permitting - Clean
225 CMR 29.00 - Small Clean Energy Infrastructure Facility Siting and Permitting - Redline
Draft Guidelines
DOER on January 21, 2026 published updated draft guidelines.
- Pre-filing guidelines
- Public health, safety, and environmental standards
- Common conditions and requirements in case of constructive approval
- Minimization and mitigation measures
Written Comments
DOER is now accepting public comments on the draft guidelines. Comments may be emailed to DOER.Siting.Permitting@mass.govor mailed to:
Division of Clean Energy Siting & Permitting, c/o Rick Collins, Director, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02114
The deadline to submit comments on the guidelines is March 13, 2026.
View the public comments received on the draft regulation.
Virtual Public Hearing & Information Sessions
UPCOMING:
DOER is in the process of scheduling two information sessions to discuss the proposed guidelines. Those dates will be made public as soon as they are finalized.
PAST:
DOER held a virtual public hearing on the draft regulations on Zoom on Wednesday October 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM to receive verbal and written comments on the regulation.
Draft Model Bylaws
DOER is developing Model Bylaws for Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to serve as a resource to municipalities to govern the siting of Solar and BESS Facilities.
DOER held a webinar on Tuesday, October 21 at 2:00 PM to provide an overview of the draft model bylaws. Watch the webinar or view the webinar presentation slides.
DOER asked for public comments on the draft Model Bylaws. The public comment period has closed. View the public comments received.
Please note the model bylaws are intended to provide a model for cities and towns considering solar or BESS zoning bylaws. While the bylaws are intended to be able to be adopted largely as published, municipalities may wish to tailor the bylaws they adopt.
Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Targeted Stakeholder Engagement and Interagency Consultations |
| Fall 2025 | Publish Draft Regulations, Hold Public Hearings (see above for dates) |
| Winter 2026 | Prepare Final Regulations |
| Spring 2026 | Technical assistance, training for stakeholders |