The Massachusetts State Senate and House last week gave final approval to the Global Warming Solutions Act, a bill that will make Massachusetts a national leader in implementing global warming solutions and commit the state to making the pollution reductions that scientists say are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
The bill empowers the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to regulate greenhouse gasses from all sources across the Commonwealth, mandates a reduction of 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050 and instructs the administration to develop a shorter-term goal of between 10% and 25% below 1990 levels by the year 2020 as well as limits for 2030 and 2040.
"The passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act today caps off a session that will be remembered as a watershed moment in the efforts to stop global warming, protect our environment, and build a clean energy economy in the Commonwealth," said Ben Wright, Global Warming Advocate for Environment Massachusetts.
The bill, which had been pending in front of the House Ways and Means committee since Senate approval in March was given new life when, encouraged by the over 25,000 public comments collected by Environment Massachusetts campaign staff in communities across the state, Speaker DiMasi and Governor Patrick’s office came together to craft a compromise that passed the House by a unanimous 154-0 vote.
"I was proud to stand up before my colleagues and discuss the practical and moral reasons to move this policy forward," said Representative Lori A. Ehrlich (D-Marblehead). "Passing this bill will go far to protect our planet, and will put us on the forefront of technology for decades to come."
Supporters praised this bill for setting Massachusetts on course to address global warming at a time when the actions of the state could help shape the policies of the next president. "In the light of continued inaction by the Bush Administration, I applaud Governor Patrick and our legislative leaders for coming together to send a loud and clear message to the rest of the country, and the rest of the world, that Massachusetts will not only be a part of the solution, we’ll help build it" said Wright.
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