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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3428 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3547
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos and Bud L. Williams
_________________
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 preventing gas expansion to protect climate, community health and safety.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Adrianne Pusateri Ramos14th Essex1/17/2025Carmine Lawrence Gentile13th Middlesex2/6/2025Samantha Montaño15th Suffolk2/6/2025Erika Uyterhoeven27th Middlesex2/26/2025Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester2/26/2025Mike Connolly26th Middlesex2/26/2025Chynah Tyler7th Suffolk2/26/2025David Paul Linsky5th Middlesex2/26/2025James C. Arena-DeRosa8th Middlesex2/26/2025Tara T. Hong18th Middlesex2/26/2025Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire3/6/2025Christopher J. Worrell5th Suffolk3/6/2025 1 of 12
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3428 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3547
By Representatives Ramos of North Andover and Williams of Springfield, a petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3547) of Adrianne Pusateri Ramos, Carmine Lawrence Gentile
and others relative to preventing gas expansion and the creation of a just transition office for
employment and training opportunities for certain displaced workers. Telecommunications,
Utilities and Energy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act preventing gas expansion to protect climate, community health and safety.
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: Section 69J of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby further amended
2by inserting, at the end thereof the following: -
3 No new gas facility or expansion of an existing gas facility, any part of which falls within
4a 5 mile radius of an environmental justice neighborhood, shall be approved unless required for
5the safety of the public.
6 SECTION 2: Section 69K of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
7inserting, at the end thereof the following: -
8 No new gas facility, or expansion of an existing gas facility, any part of which falls
9within a 5 mile radius of an environmental justice neighborhood, shall be granted a petition for a
10certificate unless required for the safety of the public. 2 of 12
11 SECTION 3. Section 69J ¼ of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
12inserting, at the end thereof the following: -
13 No new gas generating facility or expansion of an existing gas generating facility, any
14part of which falls within a 5 mile radius of an environmental justice neighborhood, shall be
15approved.
16 SECTION 4. Section 69K ½ of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
17inserting, at the end thereof the following: -
18 No new gas generating facility or expansion of an existing gas generating facility, within
19a 5 mile radius of an environmental justice community, shall be granted a petition for a
20certificate.
21 SECTION 5. Section 1E of Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
22adding the following subsections after subsection (c):-
23 (d) The department shall require each company engaged in the sale or distribution of gas
24as part of performance-based ratemaking and biennially, as required by this act, to submit a just
25transition plan, which must be approved by the department, to address workforce development,
26maintenance, and attrition, and provide the following:
27 (i) A detailed proposed chronology for projected energy supply and distribution in the
28transition to net zero emissions to be set through performance-based ratemaking;
29 (ii) A detailed plan for the hire, retention, and training of a sufficient operations and
30maintenance workforce through 2050, or until the complete retirement of its gas pipeline is
31achieved, whichever is later, and which addresses the gas company’s operational plans to meet 3 of 12
32the commonwealth’s net zero emissions goals while concurrently fulfilling this chapter’s
33requirements to provide safe and reliable service as well as all other state and federal regulatory
34requirements;
35 (iii) Sufficient in-house staffing levels, in each relevant job classification and department
36to ensure the safety and reliability of the gas company’s gas service through the effective time
37period for which the performance-based rates have been sought and taking into account the gas
38company’s projected schedule for adopting non-pipeline and other renewable energy alternatives
39to natural gas and its obligations to maintain safe and reliable gas service to existing customers;
40 (iv) Training and workforce development plans providing for gas company workforce
41needs on residual natural gas as well as non-pipeline alternatives and other renewable energy
42sources through the effective time period for which the performance-based rates have been
43sought, including but not limited to, the generation and distribution infrastructure utilized to
44replace and/or complement natural gas, whether by the gas company, its parent or subsidiary or
45related corporation, a joint venture, or another company regulated by the department with
46electric or other non-pipeline alternative or renewable energy service territory overlap with the
47gas company;
48 (v) Any and all mitigation measures proposed or implemented to address the impacts of
49transition on the gas company’s workforce over the course of the time period in which the
50performance-based rates remain in effect, including but not limited to, cross-training and hiring
51preferences at dual-fuel companies and joint ventures with non-pipeline alternative energy and/or
52other renewable energy generators and distributors, early retirement incentives, and education
53stipends for retraining; 4 of 12
54 (vi) Any collective bargaining or other agreements reached with labor unions
55representing the gas company’s in-house workforce and/or representing the workforce of outside
56contractors to ensure a just workforce transition over the duration of the proposed performance-
57based rates or until a full transition to net zero emissions is achieved;
58 (vii) In the event of the gas company’s anticipated substantial, partial, or complete
59cessation of gas operations in Massachusetts during the period in which performance-based
60review is effective, the company must report the following to the department:
61 (a) Means by which the gas company, and/or its parent corporation, intends to avoid
62burdening the commonwealth, ratepayers, or taxpayers with the social welfare costs resulting
63from such cessation;
64 (b) Measures to ensure the solvency of the gas company pension system during and after
65transition;
66 (c) Measures to stem the displacement of gas company employees unemployed as a result
67of transition from the Massachusetts energy sector; and
68 (d) Any agreements developed with labor unions representing the gas company’s in-
69house workforce and/or representing the workforce of outside contractors to ensure a just
70workforce transition over the duration of the proposed performance-based rates.
71 This subsection shall apply to any distribution, transmission, and gas company organized
72and doing business in the commonwealth pursuant to the provisions of chapter 164, including
73any successor company engaged in dual-fuels, joint ventures with renewable energy generators
74or distributors, or alternative energy companies. 5 of 12
75 Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit or supplant the local distribution company’s
76collective bargaining obligations relative to the National Labor Relations Act.
77 SECTION 6. Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
78following section:-
79 Section 149. Department program to ensure a just transition.
80 (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
81 “Gas company” or “employer”, any local distribution company regulated under section 3
82of chapter 164 and distributing natural gas to ratepayers.
83 “Dual-fuel company”, a company that distributes natural gas and one or more other forms
84of energy to commercial, governmental, and/or residential ratepayers.
85 “Alternative energy company”, a company that generates or distributes forms of energy
86whose production and use results in the production of lower carbon emissions than conventional
87natural gas or electric energy.
88 “Commonwealth”, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and/or its departments, offices,
89agencies, political subdivisions, and quasi-public agencies, including, but not limited to, quasi-
90public agencies subject to chapter 150A as appearing in chapter 760 of the acts of 1962, and any
91quasi-public independent entity and any authority or body politic and corporation established by
92the general court to serve a public purpose.
93 (b) Planning for Just Transition of Workforce. 6 of 12
94 (1) Every gas company shall develop, and periodically amend, a comprehensive plan, as
95set forth in Section 1E of Chapter 164, to be filed with the Department of Public Utilities for the
96hire, retention, and training of a sufficient operations and maintenance workforce through 2050,
97or until the complete retirement of its gas pipeline is achieved, whichever is later, addressing its
98plans to meet the commonwealth’s net zero emissions goals and its plans to fulfill this chapter’s
99requirements to provide safe and reliable service as well as all other state and federal regulatory
100requirements. Such plan shall be amended biennially, beginning July 1, 2026, and shall also be
101amended when the gas company files with the department requesting performance-based
102ratemaking.
103 In addition to provisions set forth by section 1 of this act, each company plan shall also
104provide projections for any attrition among its in-house workforce and the utilization of outside
105contractors over both the biennial period and over the course of its transition to net zero
106emissions or its complete retirement of its gas pipeline, whichever is later.
107 All dual-fuel companies must additionally provide, as part of their biennial plan,
108provisions, opportunities, and initiatives to provide training and employment opportunities to
109workers who may be displaced by the gas company’s compliance with the commonwealth’s net
110zero emissions goals on the other forms of energy it distributes. This includes, but is not limited
111to, any agreement reached with labor organizations representing employees at its gas or
112alternative fuel operations or labor organizations representing employees of its outside
113contractors.
114 (2) The department shall, when initiated sua sponte or by motion of the Attorney General,
115initiate an investigation to determine the sufficiency of the gas company and/or dual-fuel 7 of 12
116company’s plan with regard to meeting the commonwealth’s net zero emission requirements and
117chapter 164’s reliability, safety, and staffing requirements. Such plans, and all back-up data upon
118which the plans are based, shall be subject to disclosure to all intervening stakeholders during the
119investigation. Upon good cause shown, back-up data may be subject to reasonable protective
120treatment.
121 (c) Funding for Training on Alternative Fuels.
122 The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Executive Office of
123Labor and Workforce Development shall, joint and in collaboration, administer programs,
124provide technical assistance, and develop regulations for a training fund to support the
125establishment of apprenticeship programs to train gas and dual-fuel company employees on
126alternative energy generation and distribution and raise the next generation of energy industry
127workers in the commonwealth.
128 Grants from the fund may be provided to gas and dual-fuel companies for the
129development and execution of training their workforces on a competitive basis, based upon a
130number of factors, including but not limited to, the company’s demonstrated commitment to (1)
131retaining and repurposing its in-house gas workforce on dual-fuel or alternative energy
132businesses, and (2) to maintaining high quality, long-term in-house employment opportunities in
133energy distribution. Labor organizations representing gas company workers and dual-fuel
134company workers may also apply for funding.
135 Alternative energy companies, including both generating or distributing companies, may
136also apply for training grants from this fund to defray the cost of hiring and training workers
137displaced by the commonwealth’s efforts to meet its net zero emissions goals. To qualify, 8 of 12
138alternative energy companies must demonstrate that (1) they are developing and executing plans
139for hiring, training, and retention that include a demonstrated commitment to training and hiring
140gas company employees and other workers displaced by the commonwealth’s transition to net
141zero emissions, (2) they have or are in the process of developing robust in-house training
142programs in the commonwealth on alternative energy, and (3) they are committed to the creation
143and maintenance of high quality, sustainable employment opportunities for displaced workers.
144 SECTION 7. Chapter 23 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
145is hereby amended by adding following section:-
146 Section 26. Just Transition to Clean Energy.
147 (a) Within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, there shall be a
148Just Transition Office. The office shall ensure that workers employed in the energy sector who
149are displaced due to efforts by the commonwealth or the private sector to reduce greenhouse gas
150emissions or transition from fossil fuels to clean energy have access to employment and training
151opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields. The office shall also work with clean
152energy businesses to ensure they act as responsible employers to further the commonwealth’s
153workforce and economic development goals. The office shall also work to increase access to
154employment and training opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields for residents
155of environmental justice communities.
156 (b) The Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development shall appoint the director of the
157office.
158 (c) There shall be a Just Transition Advisory Committee consisting of: (i) the director of
159the just transition office; (ii) the secretary of labor and workforce development, or their designee; 9 of 12
160(iii) the commissioner of the department of energy resources, or their designee; (iv) the secretary
161of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, or their designee; (v) a representative
162of employers in the gas utility sector appointed by the governor; (vi) a representative of
163employers in the electric power generation sector appointed by the governor; (vii) a
164representative of employers in the renewable electricity sector appointed by the governor; (viii) a
165representative of employers in the energy efficiency sector appointed by the governor; (ix) a
166representative of employers in the clean transportation sector appointed by the governor; (x) a
167representative of employers in the clean heating sector appointed by the governor; (xi) a
168representative of employees in the gas utility sector appointed by the president of the
169Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (xii) a representative of employees in the electric power generation
170sector appointed by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (xiii) two representatives of
171employees in the clean energy sector appointed by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO;
172(xiv) a representative of employees in the transportation sector appointed by the president of the
173Massachusetts AFL-CIO; (xv) the president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council, or
174their designee; and (xvi) two representatives of environmental justice communities appointed by
175the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs.
176 (d) The committee shall be tasked with developing a just transition plan for the energy
177sector that identifies workers currently employed in the sector by industry, trade, and job
178classifications, and contains relevant information including, but not limited to, current wage and
179benefit packages and current licensing, certification, and training requirements. The committee,
180through the just transition plan, shall recommend education and training programs to enhance re-
181employment opportunities within the energy sector, and services to support dislocated workers
182displaced from jobs within the energy sector as a result of emissions-reducing policies and 10 of 12
183advancements in clean energy technology. The just transition plan shall also recommend actions
184to increase opportunities for residents of environmental justice communities to work in clean
185energy industries.
186 (e) The just transition plan shall include provisions to:
187 (i) educate dislocated workers, in collaboration with employers of dislocated workers and
188relevant labor unions, on re-employment or training opportunities;
189 (ii) provide training, cross-training, and re-training to workers displaced by gas
190infrastructure loss in the commonwealth’s local distribution companies and related businesses:
191 (iii) address the workforce development challenges of the fossil fuel energy sector’s
192shrinking workforce over the course of the commonwealth’s transition to a clean energy
193economy;
194 (iv) incentivize the hiring of displaced energy sector workers with utilities, clean energy
195industries, and related industries;
196 (v) collaborate with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to ensure that training and
197employment opportunities for displaced energy sector workers are included in their initiatives,
198incentives, funding opportunities, and projects;
199 (vi) collaborate with the department of public utilities and other agencies regulating the
200energy sector within the commonwealth to coordinate just transition initiatives, complementing
201the other regulatory priorities of those agencies; 11 of 12
202 (vii) evaluate options for the establishment of a fund to implement the just transition plan
203and its components, including potential sources for sustainable short-term and long-term
204funding;
205 (viii) develop requirements, including the submission of a workforce transition plan, for
206energy sector employers that are closing a facility or significantly reducing their workforces as a
207result of efforts by the commonwealth or the private sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
208or transition from fossil fuels to clean energy;
209 (ix) identify employers in the energy sector involved or likely to be involved in
210transitional steps away from fossil fuels and establish requirements and procedures for
211submissions of employee counts and classifications to the office; and
212 (x) increase access to employment and training opportunities in clean energy industries
213and related fields for residents of environmental justice communities.
214 (f) Employers described in paragraph (ix) of subsection (e) shall submit a workforce
215transition plan to the office. Workforce transition plans be subject to section 10 of chapter 66 of
216the General Laws and shall include:
217 (i) the reasons for the workforce reduction or facility closure;
218 (ii) the total number of workers by job classification and by geographic assignment
219employed by the employer;
220 (iii) the total number of workers whose existing jobs who will be retained, by job
221classification and geographic location; 12 of 12
222 (iv) the total number of workers whose existing jobs are being eliminated by the
223workforce reduction or the closure of a facility, by job classification and geographic location;
224 (v) whether each classification of workers whose jobs are being eliminated will be
225offered employment in any other job classification or capacity by the employer; how many
226employees in each classification will be offered employment; and whether the replacement
227employment offered will provide comparable wages, benefits, and working conditions;
228 (vi) whether the employer is offering severance or early retirement benefits to impacted
229workers; the value of the severance or early retirement benefits; whether the severance or early
230retirement benefits are being provided to all or certain classes of workers and how many
231impacted workers intend to utilize these offerings;
232 (vii) whether the employer plans to transfer the work to a separate facility, enter a
233contracting agreement for work previously performed by company employees, or otherwise
234outsource work previously performed by company employees; and
235 (viii) whether the employer is a recipient of loans, grants, tax increment financing, or any
236other financial incentive from the commonwealth, its independent state agencies, departments, or
237corporations, or any municipality within the last five years.