In January 2021, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed S.2995, which sets sweeping climate policy for the state, including greenhouse gas reduction targets of 50 percent by 2030, 75 percent by 2040, and net-zero by 2050, along with a process for setting more sector-specific targets. At the time, the Governor set the state’s efforts back with his veto.
But in March 2021, the legislature repassed substantially similar legislation (now field as S.9) by veto-proof majorities, which the Governor then signed. Changes in the final version of the bill include setting overall emissions limits every five years, as well as laying out sublimits on emissions from certain sectors including transportation and buildings.
Notably, the bill codifies environmental justice definitions into state law, strengthening environmental protections for vulnerable, typically low income, communities of color. The bill increases the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement to 5,600 megawatts; raises the state’s renewable energy requirement to 40% by 2030; and requires emission reduction goals for MassSave, the state’s energy efficiency program.
The Act will help facilitate municipal GHG reductions as well, particularly reductions in emissions from buildings. The Act directs the state’s Department of Energy Resources to create a “municipal opt-in specialized stretch energy code” that includes a definition of “net-zero building.” The stretch energy code is to be appended to the state building code, and will grant Massachusetts cities and towns new authority to adopt stringent net-zero codes for new and renovated buildings. This would avoid the problem that befell Brookline’s attempted natural gas ban, which was found to be preempted by state law.