Statement: Legislature steps forward on climate; now it’s time to sprint

Environment Massachusetts

BOSTON – Today, in the waning hours of the 2019-2020 legislative session, House and Senate leaders unveiled a compromise climate bill.

Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts, issued the following statement:

“With this legislation, Massachusetts will take important steps toward a cleaner, healthier future. If passed into law, this bill will reduce energy waste by setting efficiency standards for appliances and plumbing fixtures. It will ensure that at least 40% of our electricity comes from renewable resources by 2030, while providing for 2,400 megawatts of additional offshore wind procurements.

We commend Chairs Thomas Golden and Michael Barrett and the members of the conference committee for advancing this bill, as well as Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Josh Cutler, Rep. Patricia Haddad, and other legislators who championed its key provisions. We think Governor Charlie Baker should sign this bill as soon as it reaches his desk.

That being said, we can’t be satisfied with a few steps in the right direction. It’s time to break into a sprint.

In key ways, Massachusetts is lagging behind. Other states, including California, New York, and Virginia, are moving toward 100% clean sources of energy. That’s exactly where Massachusetts needs to go.

This bill isn’t the finish line — it’s the first few steps out of the starting blocks. Let’s make 2021 the year Massachusetts takes the lead in the race to 100% renewable energy.”