One month ago — at the tail end of the 2019-2020 legislative session, the MA Legislature passed a strong consensus climate bill.
The bill would set a roadmap for net zero by 2050 (with 5-year plans and benchmarks), establish stronger emissions targets, require the creation of a net zero stretch code (for building energy efficiency) to which municipalities could opt in, increase the Renewable Portfolio Standard, codify Environmental Justice protections, and take additional steps to encourage wind, solar, and geothermal energy as well as energy efficiency.
And Baker vetoed it. With the session having already ended, the Legislature couldn’t override him. But they did re-file and re-pass the bill two weeks ago.
Baker still refused to sign it, choosing instead to send back amendments to weaken the bill.
We need to make sure the Legislature doesn’t fold. We need to be doing more to address climate change, not temper our ambitions because of the well-funded corporate lobbyists.
Tell your legislators to reject Baker’s attempts to weaken the bill.
In particular, Baker wants to do the following:
- Reduce the 2030 emissions reduction target from 50% to 45% and the the 2040 emissions reduction target from 75% to 65%. Your legislator needs to say no.
- Make the emissions reduction limits for different sectors of the economy non-binding. Your legislator needs to say no.
- Delay the creation of a “net zero” stretch code and weakening enforcement of it. Your legislator needs to say no.
