Participation in the Green Communities Program for Municipalities Served by Municipal Light Plants
On September 30, 2022, the legislature passed An Act Relative to Municipal Light Plant Participation in Green Communities (Act), St. 2022, c. 230. The Act creates a new avenue for municipalities that receive electricity service from municipal light plants (MLPs) that serve multiple municipalities to join the Department of Energy Resources’ (Department) Green Communities Designation and Grant Program (Green Communities Program) implemented pursuant to G.L. c. 25A, § 10.
The purpose of 225 CMR 25.00 is to establish the process for communities covered by the Act to join the Green Communities Program. These draft regulations also put into regulation existing Department guidelines about how other types of municipalities served by MLPs may qualify for the Green Communities Program, as there are different ways a municipality served by an MLP may qualify for the Green Communities Program depending on how its residents pay the “Renewable Energy Charge,” a $0.0005 per kWh surcharge on electric bills that funds the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund, established under G.L. c. 23J, § 9. These draft regulations lay out the qualification pathways and required documentation for each type of municipality to qualify as a Green Community.
Final Regulations Filed with the Secretary of State
On March 11, 2024, DOER filed its final version of 225 CMR 25.00: Participation in the Green Communities Program for Municipalities Served by Municipal Light Plants with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office. DOER expects the regulations to be published in the State Register on March 29, 2024.
The final UNOFFICIAL version of the regulations that were filed and the Secretary of State Regulation Filing Form can be found below.
Regulations Filed for Review by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
On January 5, 2024, DOER filed the draft regulations with the House and Senate for review by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (TUE) for the Participation in the Green Communities Program for Municipalities Served by Municipal Light Plants draft regulations. The regulations were referred to TUE on January 11, 2024. The draft regulations can be seen below.
225 CMR 25.00 - Draft Regulations
Draft Regulations Published
DOER has published its draft regulations for public comment.
225 CMR 25.00 - Draft Regulations for Public Comment
A virtual public hearing was held on December 18, 2023 to receive verbal comments on the proposed regulations. No verbal comments were submitted at the hearing. Written comments are below.
Written comments were accepted until 5 pm on December 18, 2023.
Public written comments submitted to DOER