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HD 756

An Act establishing a special commission to study the potential risks to cities and towns from the onshore electrical infrastructure supporting offshore wind energy generation projects

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Ouellette and 1 co-sponsor

A dedicated commission will study and report on safety, environmental, and financial risks of onshore infrastructure supporting offshore wind, proposing regulatory improvements.

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Bill Summary · HD 756

Summary: An Act establishing a special commission to study the potential risks to cities and towns from the onshore electrical infrastructure supporting offshore wind energy generation projects (HD 756)

Purpose and scope

  • Establishes a special commission to study financial, environmental, public health, and public safety risks to cities and towns and their residents arising from onshore electric infrastructure that supports offshore wind energy projects.
  • The study covers a broad range of potential issues, including:
    • Development, operation, and catastrophic failure of underground/above-ground transmission lines, substations, and related onshore infrastructure
    • Electromagnetic emissions, smoke and fire risks from catastrophic events, and release of oil or hazardous materials
    • Hazards to public/private water supplies and the sole source aquifer
    • Whether the Commonwealth should indemnify cities/towns for costs of responding to and cleaning up catastrophic events linked to onshore infrastructure
    • Risk assessments and routine audits of substations to ensure safety standards and cybersecurity
    • State coordination readiness across agencies in the event of a catastrophe
    • Facility-specific emergency response plans for onshore substations and similar facilities

Commission composition and duties

  • A 15-member commission, with members drawn from state agencies, municipal associations, and appointments by the Governor and leaders of the General Court. The members must have substantial knowledge or experience related to offshore wind development, municipal governance, environmental contamination, public safety/health, or related risk areas.
    • Ex officio/designee members: chairpersons of the Energy Facilities Siting Board, Department of Public Utilities, and commissioners from the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Energy Resources, and Department of Public Health
    • Municipal representation: Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association
    • Appointments by the Governor: three members (one with offshore wind development experience, one who is a city/town official from a host community, and one with substantial public safety experience)
    • Appointments by legislative leaders: two by the Senate President, one by the Senate Minority Leader; two by the Speaker of the House, and one by the House Minority Leader
  • Terms and governance: The commission shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, and other officers at its first meeting and annually thereafter.
  • Compensation: Members do not receive compensation but are reimbursed for necessary travel.

Meetings, hearings, and accessibility

  • The commission may hold meetings and public hearings as it designates, with a preference for hearings in host cities/towns where onshore infrastructure is located.
  • A majority of members constitutes a quorum.

Reporting and timelines

  • Preliminary report with findings and recommended legislative/regulatory changes due within six months after the Act’s effective date.
  • Regular updates: at least every six months thereafter, reporting to the Governor, the Clerks of the Senate and House, and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

Effective date and context

  • The Act is presented as a proposed bill (HD 756). It references prior similar legislation (House Docket No. 5210 of 2023-2024) and lays out a framework for ongoing oversight and potential upcoming regulatory action based on Commission findings.

Who is affected

  • Cities and towns hosting onshore infrastructure supporting offshore wind projects (and their residents) are the primary focus.
  • State agencies involved in energy, environment, health, and public safety, as well as offshore wind developers and municipal associations, would participate in or be affected by the Commission’s work and any resulting policy or regulatory changes.

Bottom line

HD 756 creates a dedicated, expert body to assess and disclose risks associated with onshore infrastructure for offshore wind, including safety, environmental, and financial implications for host communities, and to propose legislative and regulatory improvements within a structured reporting timeline.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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