Massachusetts HD 6290: An Act establishing a temporary moratorium on large scale photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the town of Becket

Bill Text

1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6290 FILED ON: 7/30/2026
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5641

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Leigh Davis and Paul W. Mark
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing a temporary moratorium on large scale photovoltaic installations and battery
energy storage systems (BESS) in the town of Becket.
_______________
PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: DATE ADDED:
Leigh Davis 3rd Berkshire 7/30/2026

1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6290 FILED ON: 7/30/2026
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5641
By Representative Davis of Great Barrington and Senator Mark, a joint petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 5641) of Leigh Davis (by vote of the town) that the town of Becket be
authorized to establish a temporary moratorium on large scale photovoltaic installations and
battery energy storage systems in said town. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local
Approval Received.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________

An Act establishing a temporary moratorium on large scale photovoltaic installations and battery
energy storage systems (BESS) in the town of Becket.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, and
2 notwithstanding any other provision of the Zoning By-laws to the contrary, the Town is
3 authorized to adopt and impose a temporary moratorium on the use of land or structures for
4 Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Installations and BESS other than BESS accessory to individual
5 residential use. The moratorium shall be in effect for six (6) months following its adoption or the
6 date on which the Town adopts amendments to the Zoning By-laws concerning Large-Scale
7 Solar Photovoltaic Installations and BESS, whichever occurs earlier. During the moratorium
8 period, the Town shall undertake a planning process to study, review, analyze, and address what
9 revisions to the Zoning By-laws relative to Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Installations and
10 BESS are needed or desirable to allow for and regulate such use consistent with applicable law
11 while protecting the Town's ecological resources and furthering its planning goals.

2 of 2
12 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.