Ben Hellerstein
Former State Director, Environment Massachusetts
Statement: Let’s celebrate climate bill, then set our sights on 100% clean energy
Media Contacts
Environment Massachusetts
BOSTON – The Massachusetts House will vote today to send last session’s climate bill back to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk.
Today’s vote is the latest step in a months-long process to pass this bill into law. In January, Governor Baker vetoed a similar bill passed at the end of the previous legislative session. Legislators moved quickly to take up the bill again, and the Governor returned the bill to the Legislature a few days later with suggested amendments. The Senate voted on Monday to approve a new version of the bill that incorporates some of Governor Baker’s changes but rejects others, and the House will consider the same version today.
Ben Hellerstein, state director for Environment Massachusetts, issued the following statement:
“Today, the Legislature will take an important step toward a cleaner, healthier future by putting the climate bill back on the Governor’s desk. I applaud House and Senate leaders for preserving the key elements of last session’s bill, including energy efficiency standards for appliances, expanded offshore wind procurements, and a requirement for at least 40 percent of Massachusetts’ electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. If Governor Baker vetoes the bill, I hope legislators move quickly to override the veto and turn this bill into a law.
This bill is Massachusetts’ first big step on climate action in 2021 — but it can’t be the last step.
For all that last session’s bill will accomplish, a lot has been left on the table, and legislators will need to take further action this year. One policy that’s at the top of the to-do list: a bill championed by Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Sean Garballey, and Sen. Joseph Boncore to transition our electricity, buildings, and transportation system to 100 percent clean energy.
It’s time to turn the page on last session’s climate bill. Let’s take a few minutes to celebrate today’s vote. And then, let’s make 2021 the year Massachusetts sets its sights on 100 percent clean energy.”
