The bill establishes the Vacant Lots to Urban Agriculture Fund within the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, with the goal of transforming vacant urban lots into agricultural enterprises, focusing particularly on environmental justice communities. Funding will come from legislative appropriations, interest profits, and various public or private contributions. The fund prioritizes projects that enhance agricultural education, provide job training, support food donations for food-insecure residents, and foster public engagement. Grants will be available to municipalities and organizations for urban farming initiatives, such as converting tax-foreclosed public land and acquiring or leasing private parcels for agriculture. Additionally, the fund supports pilot programs for converting vacant lots and ensures their protection through conservation easements. The bill also tasks the commissioner with establishing rules for fund implementation. An annual report will be required, detailing applicants, grant recipients, requested and awarded amounts, and the program’s impact on environmental justice communities.

The bill establishes the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund, overseen by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in collaboration with various state agencies. Its purpose is to support the renovation of buildings to enhance energy efficiency, transition to all-electric systems, and incorporate renewable energy and low-embodied carbon materials. The fund targets affordable housing, residences of low to moderate-income households, municipal buildings like public schools, and small businesses certified by the Massachusetts State Supplier Diversity Office. It also includes coverage for necessary remediation work, such as mold and asbestos removal, and structural upgrades for zero carbon transitions, with a focus on buildings in environmental justice communities and gateway cities. The bill mandates that the fund operates within existing decarbonization programs, and any unspent funds will not revert to the General Fund, allowing their availability in future fiscal years. A minimum of $300 million is allocated to the fund to facilitate these renovations. 

he bill amends the regulations on alternative energy supplies in Massachusetts by modifying Section 11F1/2 of Chapter 25A of the General Laws. It stipulates that woody biomass fuel will no longer qualify as an alternative energy source for intermediate or large generation units. This change, however, does not apply to biomass facilities that have been recognized as alternative energy units by the Department of Energy Resources prior to January 1, 2026, which will remain exempt from this restriction. The act will be effective immediately upon passage. 

The bill aims to facilitate the transition from gas facilities to clean energy sources while prioritizing the impacts on workers and environmental justice communities. It prohibits the approval of new or expanded gas facilities within a five-mile radius of environmental justice neighborhoods unless required for public safety. Gas companies are required to formulate and periodically update a comprehensive just transition plan that supports workforce development and minimizes workforce displacement throughout the transition to net-zero emissions. This includes strategies for retraining workers for alternative energy roles and ensuring staff levels are sufficient for safe operations. Additionally, the bill proposes the establishment of a program to train employees of gas and dual-fuel companies for roles in renewable energy. It mandates the creation of a Just Transition Office under the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to aid the transition, focusing particularly on communities impacted by environmental injustices. An advisory committee will oversee the development of a sector-wide just transition plan to enhance opportunities for affected workers, including those displaced. Employers transitioning from fossil fuels must submit detailed workforce transition plans, and a fund is suggested to support the execution of these just transition initiatives.