Global Warming Solutions News

Bill Caps Historic Session for Massachusetts’ Emerging Clean Energy Economy

Late last night the State Senate and House gave final approval to the Global Warming Solutions Act, a bill that will make Massachusetts a national leader in implementing global warming solutions and commit the state to making the pollution reductions that scientists say are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.

“The passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act today caps off a session that will be remembered as a watershed moment in the efforts to stop global warming, protect our environment, and build a clean energy economy in the Commonwealth,” said Ben Wright, Global Warming Advocate for Environment Massachusetts.
 
“Today the Massachusetts legislature passed the most progressive piece of legislation addressing the global warming and climate change crisis in the country,” said Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), chief sponsor of the Global Warming Solutions Act. “Passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act, coupled with approval of other recent environmental legislation, will position Massachusetts as a national and international leader in solutions to one of the most pressing problems of our time. Our actions today will revolutionize the Commonwealth’s future economy by spurring job growth, sparking innovation and protecting our environment for future generations.”

The bill, which had been pending in front of the House Ways and Means committee since Senate approval in March was given new life in the last week of the session when, encouraged by the over 25,000 public comments collected by Environment Massachusetts campaign staff in communities across the state, Speaker DiMasi and Governor Patrick’s office came together to craft a compromise that passed the House by a unanimous 154-0 vote and received final approval by the Senate late last night.  

“Governor Patrick has worked hard with Speaker DiMasi and Senate President Murray on a shared vision of a clean energy economy for Massachusetts, passing a comprehensive energy bill, and an ocean management bill” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. “The global warming bill is another critical piece of that vision, one that will put Massachusetts on the forefront of climate protection at the same time it makes our entire economy green.”

“Climate change must be addressed on many fronts and the Global Warming Solutions Act is essential to the comprehensive approach we are taking to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Sen. Resor (D-Acton) Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “The many grassroots advocates who have worked tirelessly in support of this bill, which sets realistic long-term goals for carbon reduction through 2050, deserve much credit.”

In the last hours of the final day of the session, the Massachusetts legislature was able to finish their work and pass this landmark global warming legislation.  “By passing the Global Warming Solutions Act, along with several other clean energy bills, Massachusetts has taken huge strides towards making our state the hub of clean energy and global warming solutions,” said Wright.  “Today’s action comes not a moment too soon.”

“This bill is a bold measure that will encourage the use of clean energy and address the problem of carbon pollution through market-based incentives,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “This legislation will serve to preserve the quality of life in Massachusetts and protect our ecosystem and public health for generations to come.”

The bill empowers the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to regulate greenhouse gasses from all sources across the Commonwealth, mandates a reduction of 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050 and instructs the administration to develop a shorter-term goal of between 10% and 25% below 1990 levels by the year 2020 as well as limits for 2030 and 2040.  

"I was proud to stand up before my colleagues and discuss the practical and moral reasons to move this policy forward," said Representative Lori A. Ehrlich (D-Marblehead). "Passing this bill will go far to protect our planet, and will put us on the forefront of technology for decades to come."

Supporters praised this bill for setting Massachusetts on course to address global warming at a time when the actions of the state could help shape the policies of the next president.  “In the light of continued inaction by the Bush Administration, I applaud Governor Patrick and our legislative leaders for coming together to send a loud and clear message to the rest of the country, and the rest of the world, that Massachusetts will not only be a part of the solution, we’ll help build it” said Wright.  


Environment Massachusetts is a Statewide Environmental Organization with 25,000 members across the commonwealth working for clean air, clean water and open spaces.