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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 471 FILED ON: 1/16/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2159
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 relative to solar-powered mobility networks.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 471 FILED ON: 1/16/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2159
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2159) of Patrick M. O'Connor for
legislation relative to solar-powered mobility networks. Telecommunications, Utilities and
Energy.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2213 OF 2021-2022.]
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 relative to solar-powered mobility networks.
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. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs shall regulate
2solar-powered mobility networks to encourage the shift from an oil-powered to sustainable
3economy. If no commercial enterprise are approved to build such networks within 6 months, the
4executive office shall conduct one or more pilot networks. Commercial and pilot networks shall
5be granted non exclusive access to rights-of-way if the networks:
6 (i) are privately-funded construction;
7 (ii) are privately operated without government subsidies;
8 (iii) exceed 120 passenger miles per gallon (5 times the efficiency on existing roads) or
9equivalent energy efficiency; 2 of 2
10 (iv) exceed safety performance of transportation modes already approved for use; and
11 (v) that are above ground gather more than 2 megawatt-hours of renewable energy per
12network mile per typical day.
13 SECTION 2. The executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall promulgate
14regulations for solar and renewable energy mobility networks based on the following criteria:
15 (i) system design, fabrication, installation, safety, insurance and inspection practices
16consistent with the American Society for Testing and Materials International Committee F24 on
17Amusement Rides and Devices;
18 (ii) environmental approvals shall be granted to networks exceeding 5 times the
19efficiency of existing roads as measured in energy per passenger-mile, and
20 (iii) networks access may be rejected in writing for other reasons; and
21 (iv) provided, taxes and fees assessed on solar and renewable energy mobility network
22providers, passengers and cargo shall be limited to 5 percent of the gross revenues and shall be
23paid to the aggregate rights-of-way holders by the solar or renewable energy mobility network
24provider.