Special to the Transcript
Rep. RoseLee Vincent and Senator Joseph Boncore joined with their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature this week in passing breakthrough climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities.
The bill, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.2995), sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions limit, as well as statewide limits every five years; increases the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement bringing the statewide total to 5,600 megawatts; requires emission reduction goals for MassSave, the state’s energy efficiency program; and, for the first time, establishes the criteria in statute that define environmental justice populations. The legislation also increases support for clean energy workforce development programs including those targeting low-income communities and improv
The Massachusetts state legislature has increased its offshore wind target to 5600MW for the state.
An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy authorises an additional 2400MW of offshore wind procurement.
It also raises the State s Renewable Portfolio target to 40% by 2030.
The legislation will now go to state Governor Charlie Baker
(pictured) for approval.
American Clean Power Association director of eastern state affairs Andrew Gohn said: The American Clean Power Association applauds the forward-thinking and bipartisan work of Senators Michael J. Barrett, Cynthia Stone Creem, and Patrick M. O’Connor; and Representatives Thomas A. Golden, Jr., Patricia A. Haddad and Bradley H. Jones, Jr. for ensuring that Massachusetts remains on the cutting edge of clean power development.