Learn More About the Senate's #NextGen Climate Bill

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Today, the Massachusetts State Senate is debating its Next Generation policy package. This legislation sets a statewide greenhouse gas limit for the year 2050 of “net zero” emissions and establishes the Massachusetts Climate Policy Commission, an independent watchdog that will guide and monitor the state’s progress on addressing the climate crisis, among other provisions.

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REACTION

"In Boston, we set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Buildings along with transportation make up nearly 99 percent of Boston’s carbon emissions and I’m proud to join my colleagues at the Legislature in support of this proposal, which puts critical strategies in place to cut emissions across the Commonwealth. Together, we'll work towards a more sustainable Boston for our residents, and generations to come."
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

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“We thank the Senate for releasing an energy bill that sets us on a course to more boldly address climate change—the most critical issue of our time. By setting interim GHG reduction targets and echoing the Governor’s call for net zero emissions by 2050, the Senate acknowledges how much work is left to do. In particular, we applaud the Senate for directing DOER to develop a net zero stretch code to address the built environment, and for including provisions that would accelerate electric vehicle use and ability of low income communities to access solar energy.”
Elizabeth Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts

“NECEC commends Senate President Spilka and the Massachusetts Senate for proposing a net zero emissions standard, in alignment with scientific consensus. Swift passage of this legislation will accelerate the clean energy transition in the energy, buildings and transportation sectors, and will cement Massachusetts’ position as a premier place to build a robust clean energy economy.”
NECEC President Peter Rothstein

“With the bill released today, President Spilka and Senate leadership are setting the Commonwealth on a meaningful pathway to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. The strong interim target of a 50% reduction by 2030 ensures that Massachusetts will make the next decade count. The ambitious provisions of this bill will boost our economy and protect the health of our most vulnerable residents and our planet.” “Communities want and need a Net Zero stretch code in order to meet their local climate goals,” said Rebecca Winterich-Knox of the Mass Climate Action Network. “Committing to the goal of Net Zero by 2050 is a big step in the right direction, and will let cities and towns take leadership on better buildings.”
Deborah Donovan, Acadia Center’s Massachusetts Director

“Communities want and need a Net Zero stretch code in order to meet their local climate goals. Committing to the goal of Net Zero by 2050 is a big step in the right direction, and will let cities and towns take leadership on better buildings.”
Rebecca Winterich-Knox of the Mass Climate Action Network

“The Senate Committee’s climate bill will make a real difference for people’s health and our climate. Getting to zero emissions by 2050 is an absolute necessity, and pushing the T to exclusively use electric vehicles will go a long way towards hitting that goal.”
Alyssa Rayman-Read, Vice President and Director of CLF Massachusetts

"We applaud the Senate's leadership and are pleased to see President Spilka making good on her promise to move forward critical climate legislation. Given that climate science tells us we only have until 2030 to substantially reduce our emissions, we hope that this legislation will serve as a catalyst for immediate action. We look forward to reviewing the bill in detail and working with our movement allies to pass these much-needed policies into law."
Jacob Stern, Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club

Sarah Blodgett