An Act creating pathways toward net-zero neighborhoods, the official text

	SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “mitigation” the following:-
	“Non-emitting thermal energy,” thermal energy and associated infrastructure that supplies heating, or heating and cooling, from fuel sources whose combustion does not emit greenhouse gases as defined in section 1 of chapter 21N.  
	SECTION 2. Section 92 of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following:-
	The department may order a gas company to terminate natural gas service to a customer where such proposal ensures that the affected customer retains continuous access to safe, reliable and affordable thermal energy services. A company offering to provide non-emitting thermal energy has satisfied the requirement to supply petitioner.
	SECTION 3: Section 94 of Chapter 143 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following:
	(s): In consultation with the department of energy resources, to develop requirements and promulgate regulations as part of the 2027 update to the state building code, in addition to the requirements of the latest International Energy Conservation Code, requiring all new space cooling technologies installed in new or existing single-, two-, and three- family homes and any other appropriate structure type to be capable of both heating and cooling and integrated with any other heating system into a thermostat-controlled system to operate for heat when cost-effective to do so.