SB 577 (2018): requiring the public utilities commission to revise its order affecting the Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin, prohibiting the import of certain liquid fuels, and relative to the production of useful thermal energy.

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MLA
“SB 577 (2018): requiring the public utilities commission to revise its order affecting the Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin, prohibiting the import of certain liquid fuels, and relative to the production of useful thermal energy.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2018/sb577. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. “SB 577 (2018): requiring the public utilities commission to revise its order affecting the Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin, prohibiting the import of certain liquid fuels, and relative to the production of useful thermal energy.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2018/sb577.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2018-sb577, title = {SB 577 (2018): requiring the public utilities commission to revise its order affecting the Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin, prohibiting the import of certain liquid fuels, and relative to the production of useful thermal energy.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2018/sb577}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 577 (2018)

requiring the public utilities commission to revise its order affecting the Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin, prohibiting the import of certain liquid fuels, and relative to the production of useful thermal energy.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2017-2018
  • House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
  • Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subject: Energy and Utilities
  • Chapter law: 340

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2018 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 20, 2018. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2018-0721s). On March 8, 2018 the Senate adopted “Without Objection, Rule 3-17 is Suspended to Allow Non-Germane Amendment #2018-0721s ; 2/3 Necessary”. The committee's amendment (2018-0721s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 8, 2018, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2018-0884s), offered by Sen. Feltes, was adopted on a voice vote on March 8, 2018, changing the text of the bill. On March 8, 2018 the Senate voted to pass it with changes, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee recommended that the Senate kill it. On March 22, 2018 the Senate rejected a motion to kill it. On March 22, 2018 the Senate voted to pass it and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 22, 2018 and was referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 11, 2018. The committee held work sessions on April 18, 2018 and April 24, 2018. The committee met in executive session on April 24, 2018 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 19–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2018-1677h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2018-1677h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 3, 2018, changing the text of the bill. On May 3, 2018 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 254–64. On May 10, 2018 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. The bill was enrolled on May 23, 2018 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2018-2079e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on June 28, 2018, making it Chapter 340 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • February 20, 2018, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
  • April 11, 2018, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 205-207
  • April 18, 2018, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 304
  • April 24, 2018: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 304
  • April 24, 2018, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 304

Votes

  • March 8, 2018, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 20, nays 4, passed
  • March 22, 2018, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 4, nays 19, failed
  • March 22, 2018, Senate: Ought to Pass — yeas 19, nays 4, passed
  • May 3, 2018, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 254, nays 64, passed
  • May 10, 2018, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 3, 2018: Introduced 01/03/2018 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources
  • February 20, 2018: Hearing: 02/20/2018, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am
  • February 20, 2018: Hearing: 02/20/2018, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am, on proposed amendment #2018-0657s
  • February 20, 2018: Hearing: 02/20/2018, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am, on proposed amendment #2018-0658s
  • March 8, 2018: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2018-0721s , 03/08/2018
  • March 8, 2018: Chair Ruled Sections of Amendment #2018-0721s Non-Germane, 03/08/2018
  • March 8, 2018: Without Objection, Rule 3-17 is Suspended to Allow Non-Germane Amendment #2018-0721s ; 2/3 Necessary, MA; 03/08/2018
  • March 8, 2018: Committee Amendment #2018-0721s , AA, VV; 03/08/2018
  • March 8, 2018: Sen. Feltes Floor Amendment #2018-0884s , AA, VV; 03/08/2018
  • March 8, 2018: Ought to Pass with Amendment s 2018-0721s, and 2018-0884s, RC 20Y-4N, MA; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/08/2018
  • March 22, 2018: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 03/22/2018; SC 13A
  • March 22, 2018: Inexpedient to Legislate, RC 4Y-19N, MF; 03/22/2018
  • March 22, 2018: Sen. Bradley Moved Ought to Pass; 03/22/2018
  • March 22, 2018: Ought to Pass : RC 19Y-4N, MA; OT3rdg; 03/22/2018
  • March 22, 2018: Introduced 03/22/2018 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy
  • April 11, 2018: Public Hearing: 04/11/2018 01:30 PM LOB 205-207
  • April 18, 2018: Full Committee Work Session: 04/18/2018 10:00 AM LOB 304
  • April 24, 2018: Full Committee Work Session: 04/24/2018 10:00 AM LOB 304
  • April 24, 2018: Executive Session: 04/24/2018 LOB 304
  • May 2, 2018: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2018-1677h (NT) for 05/02/2018 (Vote 19-1; CC)
  • May 2, 2018: Removed from Consent (Rep. Harrington) 05/02/2018
  • May 3, 2018: Amendment #2018-1677h : AA VV 05/03/2018
  • May 3, 2018: Ought to Pass with Amendment 1677h: MA RC 254-64 05/03/2018
  • May 10, 2018: Sen. Avard Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/10/2018
  • May 23, 2018: Enrolled Bill Amendment #2018-2079e : AA VV 05/23/2018
  • May 23, 2018: Enrolled Bill Amendment #2018-2079e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/23/2018)
  • May 23, 2018: Enrolled (In recess 05/23/2018)
  • May 23, 2018: Enrolled 05/23/2018
  • June 28, 2018: Signed by the Governor on 06/28/2018; Chapter 0340
  • June 29, 2018: I. Section 3 Effective 07/01/2018 at 12:01 am
  • June 29, 2018: II. Section 4 Effective 08/27/2018
  • June 29, 2018: III. Remainder Effective 07/01/2018

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court