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 establishes a 12-month deadline for municipal permitting and requires municipalities to issue a single permit at the end of their process. It also requires most infrastructure projects to receive a site suitability score and propose 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 permits will be directed 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.
To learn more about the changes being proposed, DOER created an informational video.
Draft Regulation
DOER has published its draft regulations for public comment.
225 CMR 29.00 - Small Clean Energy Infrastructure Facility Siting and Permitting
Preliminary Guidelines
To assist with the regulatory review, DOER has published preliminary drafts of accompanying guidelines.
Please note: A public comment process for these guidelines will take place later this year.
- Pre-filing guidelines
- Public health, safety, and environmental standards
- Common conditions and requirements in case of constructive approval
- Minimization and mitigation measures
Virtual Public Hearing
DOER held a virtual public hearing on Zoom on Wednesday October 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM to receive verbal and written comments on the regulation.
Written comments were accepted between September 26, 2025 and 5:00 PM on October 17, 2025. Please email written comments as attached PDF files to DOER.Siting.Permitting@mass.gov with the words "S&P Follow On Rulemaking Comments" in the subject line. Written comments can also be submitted via mail to Rick Collins, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.
DOER prepared Questions for Public Feedback on Clean Energy Siting & Permitting Draft Regulation and Guidelines.
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.
View the webinar presentation slides
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.
The public is invited to join a series of upcoming Office Hours sessions to discuss the Draft Model Bylaws for Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
These informal, virtual sessions are open to all stakeholders and provide an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, or share feedback directly with members of the consulting team. Participants may join or leave at any time during the scheduled 4-hour blocks—no registration required.
Office Hours Schedule:
- Thursday, October 30 (3:00 –7:00 PM)
- Tuesday, November 4 (11:00 AM –3:00 PM)
- Thursday, November 6 (11:00 AM –3:00 PM)
DOER welcomes written comments on its Draft Model Bylaws for Solar Photovoltaic Systems and BESS through 5 pm, November 14, 2025. Comments can be emailed to: green.communities@mass.gov with “Model Bylaw Comments” in the subject line or sent via mail to Joanne Bissetta, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.
Public Information Sessions
DOER also held four hybrid public information sessions (see below) before the virtual public hearing to provide an overview of the proposed regulation and an opportunity for Q&A.
View the Public Information Session presentation slides
Monday, October 6
6:00 PM
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Maritime Conference Center
20 Tower Lane, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Tuesday, October 7
6:00 PM
Essex North Shore Agricultural Technical School
The Larkin
562 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923
Wednesday, October 8
6:00 PM
Fitchburg State University
Main Lounge, Hammond Building
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Thursday, October 9
7:00 PM
UMass Amherst
Olver Design Building, Room 170
551 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
DOER also held one virtual public information session on Zoom on October 14 before the virtual public hearing to provide an overview of the proposed regulation and an opportunity for Q&A.
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 | Promulgate Regulations |