Bill
H 3460
Mandates a statewide energy-efficiency plan to add a funded education/training program for commercial building managers, with tuition reimbursement, cost-sharing, and oversight.
Status & Sponsor
- Filed/prefiled: Dec 5, 2024; introduced in House: Jan 14, 2025 by Rep. Tackey Chan (2nd Norfolk).
- Committee referrals: initially Judiciary; referred to Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
- Sponsors added: Lawson and Schuessler.
- Senate concurred: Feb 27, 2025.
- Hearing scheduled: Sept 25, 2025.
- Note: the provided packet contained unrelated South Carolina statutory text on electronic records; that text is not part of H.3460. This summary covers the Massachusetts bill.
Purpose and intent
- Require that the statewide energy efficiency plan include a dedicated, statewide education and training program for commercial building managers and operators (including privately owned and nonprofit-owned buildings) to help them economically reduce energy use (electricity, natural gas, heating oil).
Key provisions
- Amends subsection (b)(2) of G.L. c.25, §21 to require inclusion of in‑depth education and training in the energy efficiency plan.
- Program content: best energy-use and efficiency practices; new technologies; metering, tracking, and monitoring energy use; economic analysis of reduced energy use; other relevant topics.
- Delivery methods: both in‑person and online; must use interactive teaching methods, case studies, and subject matter experts.
- Leverages existing programs: may use or consider programs such as the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Building Operators Certificate Program (BOCP), and the Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI).
- Tuition reimbursement: plan must include tuition reimbursement for building operators/engineers for committee‑approved programs (including AEE, BOCP, BOMI).
- Cost-sharing: training cost to be split between distribution companies (using energy efficiency funding) and attendees; attendees pay no more than 30% of costs.
- Oversight/advisory committee: a five‑member committee will approve programs and oversee them. Membership:
- 2 building operators/managers named by the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB);
- 2 energy‑efficiency experts named jointly by electric and natural gas distribution companies and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC);
- 1 member (chair) named jointly by GBREB and the EEAC.
- Reporting: distribution companies must report every six months to the advisory committee on program utilization and attendee feedback.
Affected parties / impact
- Commercial building managers and operators statewide (private and nonprofit) — direct beneficiaries of training and tuition reimbursement.
- Electric and natural gas distribution companies — required to fund a portion of training via energy efficiency monies and to report program metrics.
- GBREB and EEAC — have appointment and oversight roles.
- Training providers (AEE, BOCP, BOMI, others) — potential program partners or approved vendors.
Timing / procedural items
- Section 1 takes effect immediately upon enactment.
- Required education and training sessions must begin no later than September 1, 2026.
Potential implications
- May increase uptake of energy‑saving measures in commercial buildings through targeted workforce education.
- Creates a partially rate‑funded (energy efficiency funds) training subsidy with limited participant cost.
- Requires regular reporting and stakeholder oversight, which may inform future program refinements.
For further detail, see the proposed amendment text to G.L. c.25, §21(b)(2) and the bill's timelines for committee review and hearings.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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