FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                            Contact: Natalia Pelayo

July 31, 2008                                                                                           617-722-1551

MASSACHUSETTS APPROVES LANDMARK GLOBAL WARMING BILL

Implements far-reaching greenhouse gas reductions; Positions Massachusetts as a leader in reducing global warming impacts

Boston, MA—Today the Massachusetts Legislature approved landmark legislation to protect the Commonwealth’s economy and environment from the negative impacts of global warming and climate change, positioning Massachusetts as a national and international leader in climate change solutions.

 “Today the Massachusetts Legislature passed the most progressive piece of legislation addressing the global warming and climate change crisis in the country,” said Senator Pacheco, chief sponsor of the Global Warming Solutions Act. “Passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act, coupled with approval of other recent environmental legislation, will position Massachusetts as a national and international leader in solutions to one of the most pressing problems of our time.”

 “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 enacted Global Warming Solutions Act allows for the strongest cap in the country reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 10 to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Under the bill, violators will be subject to stringent penalties.

 The legislation would allow the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish a comprehensive plan to achieve the 2020 emissions reductions. The Secretary will also conduct a climate-change impact study on the adaptation of terrestrial and marine habitats.

 Prior to the Legislature’s approval of the bill, the Global Warming Solutions Act received significant support from state and national leaders, including a strong letter of support from Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Vice President Al Gore.

 “This is an historic moment and we are grateful the Legislature was able to act swiftly on this piece of legislation,” said Senator Pacheco, chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “Our actions today will revolutionize the Commonwealth’s future economy by spurring job growth, sparking innovation, and protecting our environment for future generations.”