Support Bold Solutions: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Global warming is already having an impact here in New England with annual temperatures rising by more than 1.5 ° F since 1970, but we have a choice as to how serious the long term impacts will be. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimated in their recent New England Climate Impacts Assessment report (pdf) that if we continue along the high emissions path we can expect temperatures to increase an additional 6.5° to 12.5° F by the end of the century. Scientists tell us we need to make 80% cuts in global warming pollution by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts.

Thanks to support from concerned citizens, community activists, faith leaders, and Massachusetts Climate Coalition partners, the Global Warming Solutions Act was unanimously passed on July 31st setting Massachusetts as one of the leaders on climate policy. The Act empowers the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to regulate greenhouse gasses from all sources across the Commonwealth. With the passage of this bill, Massachusetts commits to a greenhouse gas reduction of 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The new bill sets a base of 10% greenhouse gas reductions below 1990 levels by 2020, with the opportunity for the Administration to raise that number to up to 25%.

The end of the 2008 legislative session also ended with the passage of a monumental omnibus energy bill aimed at promoting renewable and alternative energy as well as reducing energy consumption on a statewide level. The Green Communities Act (pdf) invests millions in green technology and requires utilities to buy more renewable energy. The Act creates a program that provides no-interest loans and other benefits to municipalities that make a commitment to efficiency and renewable energy. This new law also gives final legislative approval to the Commonwealth's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The Green Jobs Act was also unanimously passed in the House on Thursday, July 31st. The bill invests $68 million over five years to encourage more development in the green jobs industry, awarding grants towards higher education institutions, allocating funds towards clean energy start-ups, and promoting clean energy workforce development for thousands of Massachusetts residents.

Clean Water Action is currently working with the Massachusetts Climate Coalition to support legislation that will promote additional energy savings and limit green house gas emissions through complimentary policies in the transportation and building sectors.

Learn more

• Get more information on the steps necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New England by 2010
• Visit the New England Climate Coalition