The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy convened on June 18, 2025, to discuss critical environmental legislation, focusing on biomass energy and bottle bill reforms. The meeting featured testimony from key advocates, including Catherine Lang from the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and Jessica Collins from the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

Catherine Lang expressed strong support for two bills filed by Senator Gomez and Representative Ramos aimed at addressing the environmental impact of biomass energy. She highlighted that biomass, often considered a renewable energy source, contributes to air pollution and high emissions throughout its lifecycle. Lang noted that Massachusetts had already taken a significant step by removing biomass from the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in 2022, but emphasized the need to close existing loopholes in municipal lighting plant greenhouse gas emission standards and the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS).

The proposed legislation, S 2288 and S 2287, seeks to prohibit local publicly owned utilities from counting biomass towards their climate goals and to limit the eligibility of woody biomass in the APS. Lang argued that these measures would protect residents from increased emissions and promote genuinely clean heating methods. She also mentioned that the governor's energy affordability bill proposes to repeal the APS entirely, indicating ongoing discussions about the future of energy policy in the state.

Jessica Collins echoed Lang's concerns, supporting the removal of woody biomass from greenhouse gas emission standards and advocating for limiting its use as an alternative energy supply. She indicated that written testimony would be submitted to further support these initiatives.

In addition to biomass discussions, both advocates expressed support for the bottle bill reforms, noting that Massachusetts is lagging behind other states in container redemption rates. They urged the committee to advance these bills to enhance recycling efforts and environmental protection.

The meeting underscored the urgency of addressing biomass energy's environmental impact and the need for legislative action to promote cleaner energy alternatives in Massachusetts. The committee is expected to consider the proposed bills in upcoming sessions, with advocates hopeful for favorable outcomes.