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S 2263

Provides for lactation accommodation in public transportation facilities act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney

Establishes a Clean Heat Standard in MA requiring fuel sellers/utilities to retire tradable Clean Heat Credits from approved clean-heat measures to cut thermal-sector GHGs.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 2263

Summary — S.2263 (Clean Heat Standard)

Note on metadata: the bill text provided is titled “An Act relative to the clean heat standard” and the filing/presentation information names Massachusetts Senator William J. Driscoll, Jr. Some metadata attached to your request (title about lactation accommodation, sponsors Marsha Blackburn and Jeremy Cooney, multiple committee referrals) conflict with the bill text. This summary is based on the bill text (Clean Heat Standard). Please verify official bill records for final sponsor and referral information.

Purpose

Establish a statewide “Clean Heat Standard” administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) that requires obligated fuel sellers/utilities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the thermal sector (residential, commercial, industrial heating) by retiring tradeable “Clean Heat Credits” earned from delivering clean-heat measures.

Key definitions

  • Clean Heat Credit: a tradable, non-tangible commodity representing GHG reductions from a qualifying clean heat measure.
  • Clean heat measure: fuel/technologies installed for end-use customers in Massachusetts that reduce GHG emissions (explicitly excludes switching from one fossil fuel to another, and excludes Renewable Natural Gas and Hydrogen). The Department may publish an approved list.
  • Obligated party: (a) natural gas utilities (investor-owned or municipal), or (b) the first seller of other heating fuels (oil, propane, coal, kerosene, etc.) sold into Massachusetts. Electricity suppliers are not obligated.
  • Default delivery agent: an entity designated by the Department to deliver measures and generate credits.

Major provisions

  • Establishes a Clean Heat Standard (Chapter 21A new Section 29 and a new Section 29A) requiring obligated parties to retire specified amounts of Clean Heat Credits annually.
  • Annual retirement requirements are set as a uniform percentage of each party’s prior-year contribution to the thermal sector’s lifecycle CO2e emissions; the pace must achieve sectoral lifecycle CO2e reductions consistent with building-sector limits for 2030 and thereafter.
  • Compliance pathways: obligated parties may (1) deliver eligible measures themselves, (2) contract for delivery, (3) purchase credits in the market, or (4) use the designated statewide default delivery agent.
  • The Department must establish a recognition/registry system for credits and may adopt rules governing credits.
  • Registration: obligated parties must annually register with specified business and sales data; non-registered sellers must register within 30 days after first sale. Registration info will be shared with the Department of Environmental Protection for GHG inventory purposes.
  • Equity requirements: at least 20% of each obligated party’s retired credits must come from measures delivered to low-income customers and at least 20% from moderate-income customers. The Department will define income categories and design the program to minimize adverse impacts and promote equitable access.
  • Department may temporarily adjust annual requirements for “good cause” (e.g., credit shortages or undue financial harm).

Who is affected

  • Natural gas utilities and first sellers of other heating fuels into Massachusetts (they become “obligated parties”).
  • Fuel consumers (homeowners, renters, businesses) — especially low- and moderate-income households who are prioritized for measures.
  • Installers and providers of eligible clean heat technologies and services (possible market expansion).
  • Entities participating in credit markets, including the designated default delivery agent.

Timeline / Procedural notes

  • Bill text filed (Senate Docket No. 2578) on 1/17/2025. Legislative action records included multiple and inconsistent referral dates/committees and a scheduled hearing (10/29/2025). Status field shows “REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION.” Verify current status and sponsor information with the official legislative clerk or legislative website.

Potential impacts (high level)

  • Could drive large-scale deployment of non-fossil heating measures and a tradable credit market for thermal-sector GHG reductions.
  • Puts compliance cost/administration on fuel sellers/utilities; costs may be passed to consumers unless managed via equity provisions or Department action.
  • Targets direct emissions from heating fuels that comprise a substantial portion of building-sector emissions; equity provisions aim to direct benefits to low/moderate-income households.

For exact legal obligations, definitions, and procedural rules, consult the full bill text and subsequent departmental regulations if enacted.

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

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