Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA. -- In a 38-2 vote, the Massachusetts Senate passed a strong climate bill Tuesday to help the state reach its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The bill, S.2829, aims to bolster Massachusetts’ clean energy transition through a series of reforms to the state’s energy system like requiring gas companies to submit reports to the Department of Public Utilities with decommissioning proposals and timelines for remedying leak-prone areas, plus changing the definition of gas company to allow networked geothermal.
The bill also addresses energy facilities siting and permitting by standardizing and speeding up the processes while maintaining community support and input. To protect ratepayers from the costs of building more infrastructure, this bill requires the Energy Facilities Siting Board to consider enhancing current technologies before new construction. Notably, the bill protects consumers by banning competitive electricity suppliers and supports electric vehicle adoption.
The bill places carefully crafted constraints on the state’s gas system while supporting measures to enable a fair transition for fossil fuel workers, underrepresented people who would like to work in the clean energy sector, and ratepayers.
“As heat waves roil the country, the need for bold, strong climate action is clear. This must accompany justice for our communities and justice for workers,” said Jess Nahigian, Sierra Club Massachusetts State Political Director. “Our Representatives must prioritize ratepayers and the environment by fast-tracking a comprehensive, just climate bill in this last month of session.”
Local climate advocates and community groups advocated for the inclusion of many amendments including a halt on gas expansion and commuter rail electrification. Groups also rallied against amendments that would have weakened the bill. Ultimately, amendments that would have repealed key sections of the bill’s language about transition of the gas system were thankfully rejected.
Community advocacy, including that of the Sierra Club, successfully resulted in the inclusion of positive amendments addressing the commuter rail, the state’s container deposit law, and residential solar systems. These amendments will set in motion planning for fully decarbonized service along MBTA Commuter Rail lines by 2029, change the five-cent bottle deposit to 10 cents and expand it to most drink containers encouraging recycling with greater efficiency, and ease the approval of rooftop solar in historic districts.
Ultimately, the bill did not include other advocate priorities such as definitively halting large gas system expansion, minimizing the impact of new infrastructure pollution on communities, and improving outdoor air quality for environmental justice communities.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.