Massachusetts: A Renewable Energy Model for Other US States

Massachusetts is being held up by The Nature Conservancy as a model for other states to follow after enacting a groundbreaking renewable energy law.

TNC helped the state in the north-east US to shape the policy, which is designed to benefit climate, conservation and communities.

TNC wrote on LinkedIn: “Massachusetts just enacted a renewable energy law that could serve as a model for other states to follow.

“The new law makes renewable energy siting and permitting more efficient while prioritizing communities and nature.

“It ensures new energy projects take into account community engagement and creates environmental safeguards to minimise impacts to nature – all critical steps to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

It added: “Let’s follow Massachusetts’ lead and create a clean energy future that works for people and nature.”

What does the new law achieve?

The law, which was passed on 21 November when Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the bill, promotes a clearer path to a renewable energy future with better outcomes for people and nature.

It comes with a number of environmental benefits, including:

• Expediting land-based renewable energy siting and permitting: it simplifies permitting of clean energy projects by establishing timelines and consolidating the local and state permits that the developer would otherwise need to obtain individually
• Providing improved environmental standards 
• Enhancing community engagement: it aims to reduce lengthy community conflicts by requiring energy developers to conduct earlier community engagement and public meetings and through an assessment to fund public participation and intervention in energy-related proceedings.

Massachusetts shares a goal with the United States: reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy played a key role in steering the direction and development of the policies.

Steve Long, TNC Massachusetts’ director of policy and partnerships, served on a governor-appointed commission that proposed the reforms that made policy recommendations that were codified into the law.

In a joint statement, Steve and Jessica Wilkinson, TNC’s North America renewable energy team lead, said: “It’s not your father’s electric grid anymore. Today, Massachusetts enacted a landmark climate and clean energy law, modelling to other states that there are more efficient and equitable ways to transition to the energy future we need.”

“The newly signed law will help make sure that clean and renewable energy projects in Massachusetts will meet standards for biodiversity, healthy lands and waters, resilient ecosystems and environmental justice communities while maximizing benefits to the climate, conservation and communities – what we call the 3Cs.”

Clear guardrails are needed

TNC used the Massachusetts landmark as an opportunity to send a message to other states and the US Government.

It said: “We encourage states across the US to follow Massachusetts’ lead. Passing state clean and renewable energy policies that benefit the 3Cs can accelerate renewable energy in a way that is good for nature and people.

“We look forward to helping shape a sustainable future where renewable energy infrastructure is thoughtfully designed and operated.”

It added a warning about potential pitfalls.

“Across the US, we need to make sure that the process for developing clean energy projects is more efficient, while weaving together the science of site suitability and lived experiences of communities to ensure better outcomes for people and nature.

“Without clear guardrails we will repeat the mistakes of the past of harmful energy generation that has impacted overburdened communities and nature.”

The Nature Conservancy works in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector and other partners.

A global leader in clean energy and climatetech

It is hoped the legislation will: accelerate clean energy development; improve energy affordability; create an equitable infrastructure siting process; allow for multistate clean energy procurements; promote non-gas heating; expand access to electric vehicles and create jobs and support workers throughout the energy transition.

Governor Maura Healey said: “Accelerating clean energy development will create good jobs, lower costs, attract more businesses to Massachusetts and grow our climatetech economy.

“This legislation includes important provisions to lower energy costs for families and businesses, including expanding bill discounts to middle-class households and increasing access to clean energy measures that reduce customer expenses such as solar, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.”

Maura added: “These reforms will also end the years-long delays for solar, wind and other critical electric infrastructure, which play a critical role in our ability to be a global leader in clean energy and climatetech. 

“By working together, we can deliver balanced solutions and drive meaningful change during the clean energy transition,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

“Today, we can celebrate the results of those efforts and get to work on implementing this important law.”

The law in detail

At the core of the bill are major reforms to the process by which wind, solar, storage and other electric infrastructure like substations and transmission are sited and permitted.

The new law establishes a 12-month deadline for municipal permitting and requires municipalities to issue a single permit at the end of their process.

State permits will be issued by the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) after a 15-month period.

Appeals will be directed to the state Supreme Judicial Court, ending the years-long appeals process that has delayed vital infrastructure.

The law also directs the Department of Energy Resources to create site suitability criteria to ensure natural resources are protected in the siting process.  

“For decades, the siting and permitting process has been a major hindrance to the clean energy transition, said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper.

“This new infrastructure is going to strengthen the reliability of our grid, improve public health, grow our economy and help us transition off polluting fossil fuels.” 

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