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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2439 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 561
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Brendan P. Crighton
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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 to streamline permitting for rail electrification.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Brendan P. CrightonThird Essex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2439 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 561
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 561) of Brendan P. Crighton for
legislation to streamline permitting for rail electrification. Environment and Natural Resources.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to streamline permitting for rail electrification.
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 62 of Chapter 30 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
2inserting the following definitions:-
3 “Near-zero-emission rail infrastructure”, any infrastructure that supports light rail, heavy
4rail, regional rail, commuter rail, or intercity rail services which combine a conventional
5gasoline, diesel or natural gas-powered engine with a battery that can be charged from the
6electrical grid.
7 “Zero-emission rail infrastructure”, any infrastructure that supports light rail, heavy rail,
8regional rail, commuter rail, or intercity rail services which produce zero exhaust emissions of
9any pollutant or greenhouse gas under all possible operational modes or conditions.
10 SECTION 2. Chapter 30 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
11section:-
12 Section 62E1/2. 2 of 2
13 (a) Notwithstanding section 62B of chapter 30 or any other general or special law to the
14contrary, any project involving the construction of zero-emission or near-zero-emission rail
15vehicle infrastructure, or the upgrade of infrastructure into zero-emission or near-zero-emission
16rail vehicle infrastructure shall be exempted by the executive office of environmental affairs
17from the requirement to produce environmental impact reports, as specified under section 62E of
18chapter 30.
19 (b) Notwithstanding section 62B of chapter 30 or any other general or special law to the
20contrary, any project involving the construction of infrastructure to power zero-emission or near-
21zero-emission rail vehicles, or the upgrade of existing power infrastructure to support zero-
22emission or near-zero-emission rail vehicles shall be exempted by the executive office of
23environmental affairs from the requirement to produce environmental impact reports, as
24specified under section 62E of chapter 30.