The Massachusetts legislature finally has sent a wide-ranging climate bill to the desk of Gov. Maura Healey, who has indicated she will sign the legislation.

After negotiations extending well past the end of the formal legislative session, Massachusetts lawmakers are nearing passage of a wide-ranging climate and energy bill.

Following the failure of the Massachusetts House and Senate to reach common ground on a climate bill this summer, Gov. Maura Healey (D) has proposed to include clean energy permitting and procurement provisions in a supplemental budget bill.

Massachusetts’ 2023/24 legislative session closed in the morning of Aug. 1 without any significant climate or clean energy legislation despite broad agreement on proposed clean energy permitting and siting reforms.

With the end of Massachusetts’ legislative session looming, lawmakers are on the clock to reach an agreement on a major climate bill centered around clean energy permitting and siting reform.

The Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting issued detailed recommendations to state lawmakers as they consider significant revisions to state processes for developing energy projects.

As the Massachusetts legislature gears up to address permitting and siting challenges for clean energy infrastructure, a new report shows how the state has disproportionately sited electricity infrastructure in environmental justice communities.

“The clock is ticking,” Sen. Mike Barrett, Senate co-chair of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, told NetZero Insider.

City officials and climate advocates spoke in favor of bills promoting electrification and fossil fuel bans in new buildings, facing opposition from industry representatives and gas workers.

Legislative priorities in Massachusetts for climate and energy policy include expediting permitting and siting, gas system decarbonization, reducing electricity costs, and addressing the role of competitive electric suppliers.