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Committee to apply new state climate law when reviewing solar applications, counsel’s letter says
Summary
The Old Kings Highway Committee read a letter from administrative counsel explaining that Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024 adds a statutory definition of 'solar energy system' and requires committees to give 'substantial weight' to climate-change threats and statewide greenhouse-gas limits when ruling on certificates of appropriateness for solar.
The Old Kings Highway Committee of the Town of Yarmouth read a letter on Jan. 27 from the commission’s administrative counsel clarifying how a recently enacted state law will affect future rulings on solar installations.
The letter, dated Jan. 24 and signed by James R. Wilson, states that Governor Maura Healey signed Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024 on Nov. 21, 2024. It says the law added a definition to Section 3 of the Old Kings Highway Regional Historic District Act and amended Section 10A to add a new criterion for certificate-of-appropriateness decisions. The letter quotes the new definition: “solar energy system … shall mean a device or structural design feature, a…
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