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The Massachusetts DPU has expanded an investigation originally opened to address guidelines for opt-out municipal aggregation programs to include a review of the DPU’s authority to review a municipal aggregator’s low-income community shared solar (LICSS) program.

As background, the DPU previously found that a municipal aggregator’s LICSS program may be funded under the SMART [Model Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program Provision] Factor paid by utility ratepayers.

From the Order & Expand Investigation :

{***} By this Order, the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) expands the scope of this investigation to include (1) the question of the Department’s authority to review a municipal aggregator’s low-income community shared solar program (“LICSS Program”) established pursuant to 225 CMR 20.06(1)(f)4, (2) the establishment of guidelines for a municipal aggregator’s LICSS Program filing with the Department, and (3) the establishment of guidelines and best practices for removing impediments to LICSS programs. Below, the Department sets out directives to the Hearing Officer to issue a memorandum to engage the Municipal Aggregation Working Group to undertake the elements of the expanded scope of this investigation. Previously, on July 9, 2024, the Department issued an Order finding that the proposed Final Municipal Aggregation Guideline are “reasonable, adequate, consistent with G.L. c. 164, § 134(a), consistent with the public interest, and produce a just and reasonable outcome.” Therefore, the Department, “with certain clarifying, non-substantive edits,” approved the Municipal Aggregation Guidelines and issued them as Appendix A to the Order. D.P.U. 23-67-A at 21, App. A. The Department also issued as Appendix B a Municipal Aggregation Annual Report Template. {***}