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S 2316

Provides a tax credit for farmers who use qualified biodiesel fuel for the sole operation of their farm equipment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Ortt

Establish a pilot for resilient EV charging microgrids integrating small hydro and storage to keep EV charging online during outages, with a 5% revenue River Restoration Fund.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2316

Summary — S.2316 (filed as Senate No. 2316, 194th General Court, 2025)

Note: the source document provided contains multiple, partly conflicting items (other bill texts and metadata). This summary focuses on the primary bill text included in the file that would, if enacted in Massachusetts, establish a Resilient Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Pilot Program and a River Restoration Fund (the text names a veterans and emergency responders’ fund in the title but most substantive provisions in the provided excerpt relate to the EV charging pilot and river fund).

Purpose / Intent

Create and pilot EV charging “microgrids” that can provide uninterrupted EV charging through extended outages by integrating small-scale, low‑impact hydroelectric generation and storage; accelerate interconnection and resilience features; and dedicate a portion of onsite fast-charging revenues to a River Restoration Fund managed by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI).

Key definitions

  • Resilient Hydroelectric Power Generation: small (≤ 2.0 MW) synchronous-generator hydro units with black-start and frequency-control capability, no active fossil fuel use, no dams/diversions built after Dec 31, 1997, and LIHI certification (or application for certification within 3 years of program enrollment).
  • Resilient Electric Vehicle Charging System (EV microgrid): an EV-focused microgrid that includes at least one eligible hydro source plus energy storage, able to operate grid‑connected or islanded.
  • Extended Outage: distribution outage lasting ≥ 24 hours.
  • “Uninterrupted”: continuous generation during an extended outage except brief transitions.

Major provisions

  • Department of Public Utilities (DPU) must adopt rules within 180 days to establish the Resilient EV Charging System Pilot Program.
  • Program components to include:
    • A “resilience adder” (a net‑metering add‑on) valuing uninterrupted resilient hydroelectric generation in participating EV microgrids.
    • An expedited/“timely” utility interconnection process for the qualifying hydro and EV microgrid systems.
    • Compliance, testing, and operational standards to ensure EV chargers are available to emergency responders during extended outages.
    • Requirements that EV microgrids include infrastructure to support resilient radio communications for emergency services and provide satellite or other resilient Wi‑Fi for public use during extended outages (as available after emergency needs are met).
  • River Restoration Fund:
    • Established to support environmental-justice initiatives, river restoration, and community education related to energy/environmental history.
    • Funding: participants must allocate 5% of onsite fast‑charging revenues (charging revenue) to the Fund.
    • LIHI (Massachusetts-based nonprofit) will manage the Fund, design grant/award programs, and select eligible recipients (nonprofits, community groups, local governments, tribes, dam owners, hydropower operators, etc.).
    • Intended eligible projects include river cleanups, fish passage and habitat restoration, education and community engagement (full list truncated in source).

Who is affected

  • EV charging site owners/operators that participate in the pilot (fast-charging providers).
  • Small hydropower owners/operators and dam owners seeking to pair with EV microgrids.
  • Electric utilities and their interconnection processes.
  • Emergency responders and local communities (benefit from resilient charging, communications infrastructure).
  • Nonprofits, local governments, tribes, and others eligible for River Restoration Fund grants.
  • LIHI (as fund administrator) and prospective applicants.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • DPU rulemaking required within 180 days of enactment.
  • If a participating hydro generator is not LIHI-certified at enrollment, it must apply for LIHI certification within 3 years and maintain certification to continue in the Program.
  • The bill text supplied is an excerpt and truncated in places; the title also references a veterans and emergency responders’ fund though its provisions are not included in the excerpt. The document also contained unrelated legislative texts/metadata; confirm final bill text and status with the official legislative source before using for decision-making.

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

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