Energy

Senate, July 1, 2026 -- Text of the Senate Bill to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility (Senate, No. 3162) (being the text of Senate, No. 3145, printed as amended)

This bill allocates $1.25 billion in state funds for capital improvements at Massachusetts public higher education institutions, including universities and community colleges. Key provisions fund general facility upgrades ($1.25B), decarbonization projects like energy-efficient retrofits ($80M), laboratory modernization ($120M), and specific projects such as the Huntington Tower revitalization at Mass College of Art ($275M). It requires projects to align with campus master plans and decarbonization strategies, with annual reporting on collaborations between community colleges and vocational schools. The funding directly affects all 15 Massachusetts public higher education institutions, supporting educational missions and regional economic development through physical infrastructure upgrades.