The Hill Update

Overview of Commonwealth Climate Control Legislation as proposed

In Boston, House and Senate negotiators reached a deal on a new climate bill. They are inching closer to something that could pass this session.

The compromise bill is expected to speed up the siting and permitting of energy infrastructure projects by giving an existing state board power over local zoning and planning boards and setting a fixed time limit on challenges. The siting and permitting language was a high priority of Gov. Maura Healey.

The language, as the language in the Affordable Housing Trust and the Affordable Home Act, appears to rest on an assumption that local control of zoning and permitting will slow the Commonwealth from reaching the goals set by the governor. Whatever the reason, it shifts control from municipalities to Boston.

For example, a plan to clear cut a stand of Berkshire forestland and place solar panels, even if, opposed by local zoning, would proceed because local zoning would be overridden by the state. The rationale? Opposition to the Healey administration's goals is overridden to increase production and remove any local bylaws seen as obstruction.

Some of the goals include: decarbonization; electric transportation; clean tech innovation; emissions reduction in state operations; and natural gas infrastructure. The bill also includes first-of-its-kind language extending renewable energy subsidies to fusion power if and when it becomes a reality and also redefines clean energy under Massachusetts law to include power from existing New England nuclear plants.

The bill, if passed, will have a profound effect on local control over land use. There is still time. The Climate Bill has not passed, and the regulations for implementation of then Affordable Home act are not in place. Therefore, if our Planning Board, perhaps Conservation Commission and Select Board would review the language of the bills and work to put in place protection for then open spaces and forests of Stockbridge we may preserve more of what makes our village so healthy and beautiful.

Photo: Lionel Delevingne