FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                               Contact: Natalia Pelayo

March 6, 2008                                                                                         617-722-1551

 SENATE APPROVES LANDMARK GLOBAL WARMING LEGISLATION

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

Boston, MA—Today the Senate 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.

 The Global Warming Solutions Act (S. 2531), sponsored by Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton), would implement far-reaching greenhouse gas reductions, spur job creation throughout the Commonwealth and secure a competitive edge for Massachusetts in the budding “green” economy, a multi-billion dollar industry.

 “The Global Warming Solutions Act establishes the framework and far-reaching reduction standards necessary to preserve and protect the Commonwealth’s environment and economy for future generations,” said Senator Pacheco, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “This legislation will secure a competitive edge for Massachusetts in the new “green” economy, sending a strong message to investors, entrepreneurs, and developers worldwide that Massachusetts is committed to being a leader in global warming and climate change solutions.”

The bill would require a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from all sources and implements a framework that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, based on 1990 levels.

 In order to meet these standards, the bill authorizes state agencies to adopt regulations that reduce energy use, increase efficiency and encourage renewable energy sources in the sectors of energy generation, buildings and transportation. The legislation requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a statewide registry of facilities that emit greenhouse gases.

 “We applaud the Senate for passing this groundbreaking global warming bill that will propel Massachusetts to a nation-leading role in addressing the most significant environmental threat of our generation,” said Sue Reid, Director of Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Change Initiative, Conservation Law Foundation.

 “This monumental global warming bill sets a strong precedent for New England and the nation for global warming policy,” said Katy Krottinger of Clean Water Action. “ Massachusetts is now a true climate leader.”

 “Senator Pacheco is a true climate hero,” said Frank Gorke, Director of Environment Massachusetts. “This landmark legislation will put us on track to tackle global warming and will make Massachusetts the hub of a 21st century clean energy economy.”  

“This bill makes Massachusetts an absolute national – and international – leader in reducing global warming pollution,” said Sam Krasnow, policy analyst and attorney for Environment Northeast. “And a catalyst to launch new business and make us a supplier of clean energy technologies to the world instead of a consumer.”

“The Global Warming Solutions Act reflects the two-pronged approach advocated by international scientists and economists, reduce emissions and prepare for climate change impacts, such as coastal flooding, forest pests and freshwater droughts that harm people and nature,” said Steve Long, Government Affairs Associate for The Nature Conservancy.  

“The Global Warming Solutions Act, sponsored by Senator Pacheco, puts Massachusetts in the pole position in two crucial races—the race for clean energy jobs and economic investment and the race to combat global climate change,” said Jeremy McDiarmid, staff attorney at Environment Northeast.

 The Global Warming act also mandates the following:  

  • Power plants have to meet a standard of 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per mega-watt hour for approval of construction or expansion projects;
  • The DEP must adopt a Low Carbon Fuel Standard for motor vehicle fuels, in collaboration with our state partners in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to ensure a 10 percent reduction in carbon content by 2020;
  • The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs will conduct a climate-change impact study on the adaptation of terrestrial and marine habitats.

 

###