Relative to the protection and development of the thermal commons of the Commonwealth
Impact
The bill proposes the formation of a commission, known as the Commission/Working Group for the Protection and Development of the Commonwealth’s Thermal Energy Commons, which will include stakeholders from various sectors. This commission is tasked with reviewing existing research and formulating recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes to effectively manage geothermal resources. By doing so, it aims to ensure that the use of thermal energy aligns with environmental protection, public health, and sustainable land use practices, potentially leading to significant advancements in the state’s energy infrastructure and policy.
Summary
House Bill 3543 aims to protect and develop the thermal commons within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by establishing a comprehensive framework for managing geothermal energy resources. The bill defines various forms of geothermal energy, including ambient and anthropogenic geothermal energy, categorizing them as a public trust held for the benefit of the citizens. It emphasizes the need for a unified approach to manage these resources, highlighting their potential in mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Contention
While the bill is structured to promote energy sustainability, it may also lead to debates regarding the extent of regulations on private properties and the rights of individual landowners. The definition of the thermal commons raises questions about who has access to geothermal resources and how these rights are balanced against environmental goals. Stakeholders may express concerns over the implications of governmental regulation versus local control, particularly regarding the usage of geothermal energy derived from anthropogenic sources and how it impacts the broader climate agenda.
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the feasibility of using geothermal energy technologies that utilize abandoned mining locations and operations in this Commonwealth and issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives.
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the feasibility of constructing geothermal systems in densely populated locations of this Commonwealth and to issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly.