BOSTON – The Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives has passed legislation that, if approved by Governor Charlie Baker, would overhaul state climate laws, drive down greenhouse gas emissions, create clean-energy jobs, and protect environmental justice communities.
“I am proud to have contributed meaningful language to the new law and hope that other states look to what we are doing here as a blueprint for meaningful action,” said Representative Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, after the measure was passed Thursday. “We owe a livable planet to future generations.”
The bill, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, was passed by the legislature but vetoed by Baker at the end of the last legislative session due to disagreements about building codes and the timeline for emission reductions.
“I hope that he reconsiders his position, and we’ll certainly review what he sends over to us,” said Senator Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn. “It’s a strong bill. We want to lead the country in emissions reduction, and we stand by the goals that we set.”
Notably, the legislation would set a statewide net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and mandate emissions limits every five years, as well as limits for specific sectors of the economy like transport and buildings.
The legislation would also increase the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement, require emission reduction goals for MassSave, the state’s energy efficiency program, establish the criteria in statutes that define environmental justice populations, increase support for clean-energy workforce development programs, and improve gas-pipeline safety.
The focus on gas-pipeline safety comes after a series of gas explosions rocked the Merrimack Valley in 2018, killing 18-year-old Leonel Rondon.
The National Safety Transportation Board reported that the explosion came as a result of inadequate management and poor oversight that led to a cast-iron pipe being improperly abandoned by Columbia Gas, which owned the pipelines.
The measures in the bill include increased fines for safety violations and regulations related to training and certifying utility contractors.
“(I’m) proud to join my legislative colleagues to re-enact the climate bill that would take swift and substantive action to protect our planet,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely, D-Salem. “Thank you to Senate President (Karen) Spilka, House Speaker (Robert) Mariano, Senator (Michael) Barrett and Representative (Thomas) Golden for their leadership in creating a path to a greener and more sustainable future.”
“As a member of the House Green Recovery Task Force, we heard the demands of constituents, businesses, and environmental groups throughout the Commonwealth to fight climate change and create much-needed green employment opportunities in the wake of Coronavirus,” said Representative Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn).
The bill would create new jobs in renewable energy by providing incentives to install solar technology and requiring additional wind power.
“I was proud to vote with the state delegation on a bill that addresses the terrible effects of climate change we have been enduring,” said Representative Peter Capano, D-Lynn. “And that also provides workforce development provisions for workers that will be needed as these changes are instituted.”
The bill now sits on Governor Baker’s desk, awaiting his approval.
