Landmark Massachusetts Climate Bill to Boost Clean Energy Economy Signed Into Law

Boston — Today, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law ‘An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind.’ The law will expand clean energy development, transportation electrification, and building decarbonization measures to create good-paying jobs and help reach legally binding statewide emissions reduction targets of 50% by 2030. 

The key provisions of the law include:

• Develops the Massachusetts offshore wind industry through infrastructure investment, workforce development, and economic inclusion;

• Provides up to $5000 in rebates, with an additional $1500 rebate for low-income individuals, for the purchase of electric passenger cars and light duty vehicles less than $55,000. Provides rebates of at least $4500 for medium and heavy duty electric vehicles and for those trading in their internal combustion engine vehicle. Offers rebates at point-of-sale;

• Prevents wood-burning biomass plants from qualifying for clean energy incentives in the Renewable Portfolio Standard;

• Allows 10 municipalities to pilot fossil-free new construction and major renovations, excluding life science labs, health care facilities, and hospitals, provided each community meets a standard around inclusionary housing policy;

• Reforms ratepayer-funded efficiency programs by reducing incentives for fossil fuel equipment starting in 2025 and increasing accountability in the efficacy of energy efficiency services to low-income ratepayers and households;

• Expands solar by removing impediments to medium-sized solar developments and freeing solar arrays up to 25 kw from net metering cap restraints;

• Requires that large buildings (20,000 sq. ft. and larger) across the Commonwealth report annual energy usage;

• Mandates that the utility-controlled investigation into the “future of gas” and the state’s pipeline replacement program receive additional scrutiny to ensure alignment with the state’s climate goals;

• Paves the way for expanded use of renewable thermal energy, including geothermal networks;

• Takes steps toward modernizing the grid by establishing a grid modernization advisory council and requiring distribution companies to submit regular modernization plans;

• Creates an interagency coordinating Council to develop and implement a plan for deploying EV charging infrastructure in an equitable and accessible manner and establishes a Charging Infrastructure Deployment Fund; 

• Requires distribution companies to submit proposals for time-of-use rates for charging EVs; 

• Requires DPU to promulgate vehicle electrification and GHG emission regulations for transportation network companies. 

• Mandates all new vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission starting 2035;

• Calls for the MBTA bus fleet to be all-electric by 2040 and prioritizes deployment on routes that go through underserved communities.

“After a month-long heat wave, we are stepping up our decarbonization game. This bill starts to implement our plan to get off fossil fuels while growing a local clean energy economy that creates good-paying jobs for the people of Massachusetts,” said Jess Nahigian, State Political Director of Sierra Club Massachusetts. “Decarbonizing the Commonwealth will make our grid more reliable, our homes more comfortable, our transportation cleaner, and our communities stronger. We look forward to working with the legislature next session to accelerate equitable decarbonization in a way that meets the urgency science demands while lifting up everyone - particularly communities highly impacted by pollution.”

"Thank goodness, we're pushing forward on clean energy, clean air and more,” said Karl Claire Müller, Unitarian Universalist Mass Action. “Last session we set goals, and now we're putting real solutions forward to meet those goals. Climate Justice requires a transformation of our economy, I'm so glad we've kept going this session." 

“Thank you, Governor Baker, for pushing on clean energy and workforce development. While this bill is necessary, it is not sufficient in accelerating equitable building decarbonization,” said Logan Malik, Massachusetts Climate Action Network. “Buildings are the second largest source of emissions. We need more than a 10-town pilot program. This is why we are continuing to demand that the Department of Energy Resources release a true statewide net zero building code that all communities can adopt. In order to protect the health of Commonwealth residents and reduce emissions from buildings, there can be no fossil fuel pathway in the opt-in building code.” 

“It’s far from what the MA Youth Climate Coalition thinks is necessary and it’s still an important next step,” said Eben Bein, Our Climate.

“With this bill becoming law, leaders in Massachusetts of all political stripes are showing that states can take meaningful climate action,” said Ben Hellerstein, State Director, Environment Massachusetts. “This bill gives me hope that we can work together to build a future where all of us can thrive.”

“It’s good to see we are taking a next step in our transition to the clean energy future we all want. But we must work harder and more equitably moving forward if we are to meet emission reduction mandates while meeting the needs of all in our Commonwealth,” said Cathy Kristofferson, Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast. 

“The passage of An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind is no small victory. It is built on decades of climate activism's blood, sweat, and tears,” said Cabell Eames, Political Director, 350 Massachusetts. “We are particularly thrilled to see such a substantial investment in wind infrastructure, the reclassification of biomass, and the availability of electric vehicle rebates at the point of sale to low and middle-income individuals trading in for electric vehicles. This law will transform the Massachusetts economy, providing thousands of jobs and the foundation necessary for climate policies that center our most vulnerable populations while striving for a sustainable world.” 

“Massachusetts lawmakers listened and made a clear and unambiguous statement that power from polluting biomass power plants shall play no role in meeting Massachusetts’ renewable energy targets. We’re grateful to the Legislature for passing this bill, and the Governor for signing it into law,” said Laura Haight, US Policy Director, Partnership for Policy Integrity. 

"There is much more to do, but for now we celebrate this meaningful achievement and thank our legislature and conference committee members for including so many impactful provisions in the bill now signed into law. Many people have worked hard to make this a reality, and deserve our praise and encouragement as we begin to face the challenges ahead,” said Adele Franks, Climate Action Now, Western Mass (CAN).