Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward into law, which aims to increase offshore wind procurement and encourage the development of mid- to long-duration energy storage facilities, among other things.
In terms of offshore wind, the legislation expands offshore wind procurement to 5,600 MW (a 1,600 MW increase from the amount established by the legislature in 2021). Furthermore, the legislation empowers the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to create tax breaks for offshore wind companies that propose economic development plans.
The legislation requires the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (the "DOER") to determine mid-duration and long-duration energy storage facilities in order to ensure the continued development of energy storage facilities in Massachusetts.
