Pictured above: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
By Meryl Phair ‘21
Environmental Editor
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a new climate bill committing the state to a net-zero carbon emission target by 2050. The new law, called “An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy,” is the most significant change in the commonwealth’s climate policy since the Global Warming Solutions Act in 2008. It was signed on Friday, March 26, ending a months-long debate over the bill, which included an initial veto by Baker this past January.
The new law sets ambitious climate goals for the state besides the 2050 target. The law outlines a drop of 50 percent from statewide carbon emission levels set in 1990 by 2030 and a further reduction of 75 percent by 2040. The bill also requires emission reduction in six key priority sectors: electricity, transportation, commercial and industrial buildings, residential buildings, industrial processes and natural gas distribution.
Previously, environmental justice policy in Massachusetts was solely created through executive orders, which were reflective of changes within new administrations. Now, environmental justice definitions and processes have been placed into law. The state has defined what constitutes an environmental justice community and initiated new processes for public participation through the establishment of an environmental justice advisory council to work with the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs secretary.
The law has updated Massachusetts’ “stretch codes,” optional mandates for municipalities to set requirements for energy efficient buildings. Cities will now be able to require net-zero buildings.
Other requirements of the bill include updating priorities for the Department of Public Utilities which regulates Massachusetts’ electric and natural gas. These new priorities include increasing renewable energy resources, reducing regulations and financial risks to boost utility companies’ experimentation with clean energy technologies, setting new energy efficiency standards for household appliances, creating targets for electric vehicles and charging stations, prompting solar power and increasing opportunities for clean energy job training programs.
The bill will also increase the annual budget of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The budget increase will allow for more clean energy workforce development with additional job training opportunities for minority groups, residents of environmental justice communities and fossil fuel workers. There will also be more available grants for minority- and women-owned small businesses.
“By signing this bill, Governor Baker has taken the first step in addressing this injustice, giving communities of color and low-income communities more effective tools to protect their health and environment from pollution,” Sofia Owen, a staff attorney for Alternatives for Community and Environment, a Massachusetts-based environmental justice group, said in a statement.
The new law is a significant step for Baker in terms of climate action. During his 2010 campaign for governor, when he lost to Democratic incumbent Deval Patrick, he evaded confirming his belief in climate change. The Republican governor now considers climate change an urgent challenge that requires direct action.
“This legislation will reduce emissions in Massachusetts for decades to come while also ensuring the Commonwealth remains economically competitive,” Baker said in a press release. “We are proud to have worked closely with the Legislature to produce bipartisan legislation that will advance clean energy sources and secure a healthy, livable environment for future generations.”