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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4294 FILED ON: 5/2/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3846
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Manny Cruz
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act authorizing the City of Salem to adopt and enforce local regulations restricting new fossil
fuel infrastructure in certain construction.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Manny Cruz7th Essex5/2/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4294 FILED ON: 5/2/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3846
By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3846) of Manny
Cruz (with the approval of the mayor and city council) that the city of Salem be authorized to
adopt and enforce local regulations restricting new fossil fuel infrastructure in certain
construction projects in said city. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. [Local Approval
Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act authorizing the City of Salem to adopt and enforce local regulations restricting new fossil
fuel infrastructure in certain construction.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Consistent with Chapter 179, Section 84 of the Acts of 2022 An Act
2Driving Clean Energy And Offshore Wind and notwithstanding any general or special law or
3rule or regulation to the contrary, the city of Salem is authorized to adopt or amend general or
4zoning ordinances that require new building construction or major renovation projects, as
5defined by the city’s general or zoning ordinance, to be fossil fuel-free and enforce restrictions
6and prohibitions on new building construction and major renovation projects that are not fossil
7fuel-free, including through the withholding or conditioning of building permits.
8 SECTION 2. As used in this Act, the term “fossil-fuel-free” shall mean new building
9construction or major renovation that results in an entire building that does not utilize coal, oil,
10natural gas, other fuel hydrocarbons, or other fossil fuels in support of its operation after
11construction. 2 of 2
12 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.