BOSTON -- A Massachusetts Senate committee has released a bill that reads like a wish-list for clean energy advocates.

The bill sets more ambitious environmental and regulatory standards, bans fracking in Massachusetts, prohibits residents from being taxed for new natural gas pipelines, eliminates a cap on reimbursements for solar projects and sets the stage for carbon pricing.

"We believe this act, if it is enacted, will protect our public health here in the commonwealth, create literally thousands upon thousands of new jobs in the commonwealth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially," said Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.

The bill will now go to the Senate Ways and Means Committee before it can get a vote from the Senate or the House. While it is unlikely to be passed as is, the bill could set the stage for discussions on issues related to clean energy in the Legislature.

The legislation incorporates several bills that have been discussed by House and Senate committees. "This is not a standalone bill dreamt up in the middle of the night by the Senate," Pacheco said.

It includes a host of policies that would promote clean energy while avoiding new natural gas infrastructure.

The bill would prevent the construction of any new natural gas pipelines and prohibit a tax on ratepayers to pay for pipelines. It would require gas companies to repair existing infrastructure to prevent leaks.

Clean energy advocates have been pushing for the implementation of a carbon tax, where residents and businesses pay for the amount of energy they use. The Senate bill would require state officials to implement some form of a market-based system by between 2020 and 2022, depending on the sector of the economy.

The bill would increase the use of solar energy by lifting a cap on reimbursements for people who generate solar energy and return it to the grid. It would make it easier for low-income residents and renters to take advantage of these credits. The bill would increase wind energy by allowing the state to purchase more energy from offshore wind and hydropower.

It would require the state's pension board to divest from fossil fuel companies.

It sets higher standards for a range of measures that would require businesses, utilities and the state to use more renewable energy.

There are also steps to expand the use of electric vehicles.

The goal would be to have Massachusetts use all renewable energy by 2050.

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, called it "the boldest, most visionary clean energy bill in 10 years."

Environmental and renewable energy groups praised the bill.

Northeast Clean Energy Council President Peter Rothstein said, "NECEC endorses action by the Legislature this session to ensure that the Commonwealth's clean energy economy stays on track, especially in light of mounting headwinds at the federal and state level causing project delays and decelerating growth." Rothstein said the council supports raising the standards for how much energy must be produced by renewable energy, lifting solar net metering caps and fixing the way utilities charge solar customers.

Emily Norton, Massachusetts director of the Sierra Club, said, "This bill is appropriately ambitious and comprehensive, matching the urgency of climate change."

"This comprehensive bill should become law as soon as possible," said Eric Wilkinson, the Environmental League of Massachusetts' general counsel and director of energy policy. "With the federal government turning its back on climate change, it is up to the states to lead the way and this bill does just that."