Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5175: An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness
Status: In committee, July 16, 2026
What the bill says
To amend its plan in a particular manner. Such plan shall thereafter become enforceable upon approval by the department. (3) The department may commence a proceeding to examine any such company’s compliance with the recommendations of the audit pursuant to subsection (b) and may issue reasonable and appropriate penalties for any noncompliance. The cost of any penalties shall be borne solely by the company and shall not be recoverable by ratepayers. (d) Upon the petition of a gas or distribution company for approval of a general increase in base distribution rates pursuant to section 94, or oth.
From the introduced text, February 26, 2026:
to amend its plan in a particular manner. Such plan shall thereafter become enforceable upon approval by the department. (3) The department may commence a proceeding to examine any such company’s compliance with the recommendations of the audit pursuant to subsection (b) and may issue reasonable and appropriate penalties for any noncompliance. The cost of any penalties shall be borne solely by the company and shall not be recoverable by ratepayers. (d) Upon the petition of a gas or distribution company for approval of a general increase in base distribution rates pursuant to section 94, or other proceedings in which a gas or distribution company proposes capital improvements, the department shall review that company’s compliance with the directions and recommendations made previously by the department, as a result of the most recently completed management and operations audit, if applicable, as provided in this section. SECTION 38. Section 92B of said chapter 164, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsections (c) through (e), inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following 4 subsections:- (c)(1) For the purposes of subsections (c) through (e), inclusive, “virtual power plant” shall mean an actively coordinated aggregation of behind-the-meter distributed energy resources, including, but not limited to, electric vehicles and chargers, electric water heaters, smart thermostats, smart plugs, smart …