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HD 4318

An Act establishing an extended producer responsibility program for offshore wind energy equipment

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Requires offshore wind producers to fund and manage end-of-life disposal and recycling of equipment, via a perpetual Producer Responsibility framework.

Scheduled for the House Journal Addenda
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Bill Summary · HD 4318

Summary: Massachusetts HD 4318 — An Act establishing an extended producer responsibility program for offshore wind energy equipment

Overview

HD 4318 proposes a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for offshore wind energy equipment. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would implement and enforce the program, requiring offshore wind producers to finance and manage end-of-life disposal, recycling, or reuse of equipment. The measure adds a comprehensive framework for accountability, funding, and ongoing stewardship across the lifecycle of offshore wind products.

  • Status: Scheduled for the House Journal Addenda
  • Introduced: January 29, 2025
  • Filed: January 23, 2025
  • Origin: Petition by Christopher Thrasher

What the bill would do

  • Create a regulatory framework (Section 29) to oversee end-of-life management of offshore wind energy equipment, including turbines, blades, nacelles, towers, and related infrastructure.
  • Establish recycling targets for offshore wind equipment, with specific attention to composite blades, metals, and other materials. Targets are to be reviewed and updated annually in light of technology and market conditions.
  • Impose end-of-life obligations on producers to ensure collection, recycling, or disposal in environmentally responsible ways.
  • Require each producer to designate a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to administer obligations, enter into a formal Producer Responsibility Agreement (PRA), and maintain ongoing compliance.
  • Authorize the DEP to enter into and enforce Producer Responsibility Agreements with producers and their PROs, including the power to assess penalties for non-compliance.
  • Ensure obligations are perpetual even if a producer dissolves or ceases to operate; the PRO must maintain continuity and designate a responsible party to sustain compliance if dissolution occurs.
  • Require the PRO to provide current contact information for the “responsible party” designated to manage compliance.
  • Treat information obtained under the program as public records, available for production upon request.

Key definitions

  • Department: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Producer: Offshore wind company or any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer of offshore wind energy equipment.
  • Offshore wind energy equipment: All machinery, components, and infrastructure used in offshore wind energy, placed into service in Massachusetts.
  • Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO): Entity designated by producers to fulfill obligations.
  • Producer Responsibility Agreement (PRA): Binding contract detailing obligations for collection, recycling, or disposal, signed under penalties of perjury.

Provisions on accountability and enforcement

  • DEP has authority to execute PRAs, enforce terms, and impose penalties for non-compliance.
  • Obligations are perpetual and survive producer dissolution; interim continuity is required via a designated responsible party.
  • Information collected under the act can be demanded as a public record under state law.

Who is affected

  • Offshore wind developers and operators
  • Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of offshore wind equipment
  • PROs designated by producers
  • DEP, as the implementing and enforcement agency

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill text indicates creation of a new Section 29 within Chapter 21A (as amended by the act).
  • Recycling targets are to be reviewed and revised annually.
  • The bill is scheduled for inclusion in the House Journal Addenda, with an introduction date in January 2025.

Potential impact

  • Shifts end-of-life cost burden from public entities to producers.
  • Establishes predictable recycling pathways and targets, potentially improving material recovery (including blades and metals) from offshore wind equipment.
  • Creates ongoing governance and accountability mechanisms to manage environmental outcomes across the industry’s lifecycle.

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

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