Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed legislation that calls
for the state to adopt a 100% renewable portfolio standard, according to Environment Massachusetts, a clean energy advocacy group.
Under the legislation,
filed by State Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington; Rep. Marjorie Decker,
D-Cambridge; and State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, Massachusetts would be
required to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation by 2035, as well as
phase out the use of fossil fuels across all sectors, including heating and
transportation, by 2050.
“As President Donald Trump takes office, this bill sends a
clear message to officials in D.C.: Massachusetts is determined to keep moving
forward on clean energy,” says Ben Hellerstein, state director for Environment
Massachusetts.
Specifically, the bill requires the state’s Department of
Energy Resources to set binding targets for renewable energy growth in all
major sectors of the economy, as well as issue regulations to ensure that Massachusetts
stays on track toward the goals.
Environment Massachusetts says the bill is designed to
complement and strengthen the Global Warming Solutions Act, legislation passed
in 2008 that requires the state to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 80%
below 1990 levels by 2050.
The bill also directs the state’s Department of
Transportation and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to conduct studies
identifying pathways toward 100% renewable energy in transportation and the
building sector. Particular attention would be paid to policies that can expand
access to renewable energy and energy efficiency options for low-income
communities.
In addition, in order to increase access to employment
opportunities in solar, offshore wind, energy efficiency and other clean energy
technologies, the bill would create a Clean Energy Workforce Development Fund.
“This legislation provides a bold step by placing the
commonwealth on a path to a cleaner and more sustainable future,” says
Garballey. “It encourages job creation, protects and sustains our natural
resources, reduces our carbon footprint, and would benefit the health and
well-being of our citizens in immeasurable ways. More importantly, it signals
to the country our commitment to long-term solutions in meeting the very real
challenges of climate change and lights the way for similar efforts across the
nation.”
Last year, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law H.4568, An Act Relative to Energy
Diversity, which requires Massachusetts to generate a whopping 1.6 GW of
electricity from offshore wind over the next 10 years. In addition, the bill
requires utilities to competitively solicit and contract for approximately 1.2
GW of clean energy generation: hydropower; onshore wind and solar supported by hydropower;
or stand-alone onshore wind, solar or other Class I renewable resources.
Notably, Massachusetts also recently pushed ahead on establishing an energy storage
mandate: The DOER is currently seeking public comments on laws to adopt targets
for storage procurement.
No comments:
Post a Comment