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H 3479

An Act relative to the onshore siting of infrastructure associated with offshore wind projects

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kip Diggs

Direct offshore wind onshore infrastructure to be sited only in industrial coastal areas near existing power plants, not on beaches or parks.

Accompanied a study order, see H5323
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Bill Summary · H 3479

Summary: H 3479 — An Act relative to the onshore siting of infrastructure associated with offshore wind projects

Purpose and intent

H 3479 would direct the onshore infrastructure for offshore wind projects to be sited in coastal locations that are industrial in nature or near existing power plants (active or decommissioned), rather than on public beaches, parks, recreation areas, conservation lands, or small tourism-based communities. The overarching goal is to support offshore wind development while prioritizing locations that are industrially suited and less disruptive to public beaches and tourism-focused economies.

Key provisions

  • Onshore siting location

    • Offshore wind project onshore infrastructure should be located in industrial coastal areas or near existing power plants.
    • Prohibits onshore facilities on public beaches, parks, recreation areas, conservation lands, or in small residential tourism-dependent communities.

  • Included infrastructure

    • High voltage power cables.
    • Splicing vaults installed beneath public parking lots and along public/private roadways.
    • Concrete duct banks conveying high voltage cables beneath roads.
    • Electric substations newly constructed or rebuilt to receive offshore wind electricity.

  • Environmental and public health safeguards

    • Infrastructure should not be situated on top of a sole source aquifer or on/adjacent to wellhead protection zones, due to risks from toxic dielectric cooling fluids and related hazards.

  • Pre-bid review and reporting (procurement process)

    • Before accepting new bids for offshore wind development (including ongoing Section 83C Round 4 procurement), the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) must:
    • Review and evaluate independent studies and credible analyses on coordinated offshore transmission solutions.
    • Report publicly to the Senate, House, and voters on the results, including assessment of potential cost savings to electric utility ratepayers from coordinated offshore transmission.

  • Permitting and approvals

    • The Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) and any related Commonwealth commission or permitting agency must not consider, hear, or issue permits for projects that contravene these siting intentions.

  • Effective date

    • The act would take effect upon passage.

Affected actors and stakeholders

  • Offshore wind developers and project developers (onshore siting decisions and permitting processes).
  • Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) (lead in the pre-bid review and public reporting).
  • Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) and related permitting agencies (subject to new directional requirements).
  • Electric utilities and ratepayers (potential cost savings from coordinated transmission discussed in the EEA review).
  • Massachusetts voters and residents (through public reporting and potential changes in project siting outcomes).

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to: Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (same day).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for July 29, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM).
  • Reporting date extended: Now December 3, 2025 (Wednesday).
  • Legislative action note: Senate concurred; related House Docket 2563 is the bill’s foundational filing.

Potential impact

  • Shifts siting of offshore wind onshore infrastructure away from recreational/public use areas toward industrial coastal zones.
  • Aims to provide greater public health and environmental safeguards near sensitive zones (aquifers and wellhead protection areas).
  • May influence capital costs and ratepayer impacts through the stated review of coordinated offshore transmission and potential cost savings.
  • Creates a formal prerequisite review by the EEA before new offshore wind bids are accepted.

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

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