Massachusetts House Bill H765

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

To establish a grant and loan program for low noise, low emissions landscape maintenance equipment

Impact

The proposed program would operate under the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, allowing eligible small businesses and municipalities to receive financial assistance in the form of grants and interest-free loans for exchanging their gas-powered landscape maintenance equipment. Eligible recipients must surrender their gas-powered devices on a one-for-one basis to qualify for new low-noise and low-emission equipment. The funding would cater to costs associated with the purchase and training required for the new equipment, facilitating a smoother transition.

Summary

House Bill 765 is an initiative designed to establish a grant and loan program that encourages small businesses and municipalities in Massachusetts to transition their landscape maintenance equipment to low noise and low emissions alternatives. The bill introduced by Representative Michelle L. Ciccolo aims to reduce the environmental impact of gas-powered machinery by providing financial incentives for switching to electric equipment. This legislation is part of a broader move towards sustainability and reducing air pollution in urban and suburban landscapes.

Contention

While the bill generally aligns with environmental goals, there may be concerns regarding its financial implications for the state budget, particularly since it aims to allocate up to $2 million from the Federal COVID-19 Response Fund for this purpose. Legislators may debate whether this funding source is appropriate, given other potential priorities arising from the pandemic. Additionally, the focus on low emissions might raise discussions about the upfront costs of electric equipment, which could be perceived as prohibitive for smaller businesses without significant financial backing.