Massachusetts Sierra Club Responds to Governor Baker’s State of the State Address

Boston, M.A.--Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker gave his State of the State address today highlighting the state’s 2018 priorities. In the address, Governor Baker touted the state’s #1 energy efficiency ranking in the county and mentioned various commitments to renewable energy initiatives including the largest renewable energy procurement in Massachusetts’ history and the beginning stages of a process that could lead to the construction of the largest offshore wind operation in the nation.

In response, Emily Norton, Massachusetts Chapter Director for the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:

"Governor Baker rightly pointed out our state’s leadership when it comes to energy efficiency and offshore wind. But it’s not enough. Two weeks after Massachusetts suffered a storm so severe a seawall in Scituate was breached, and a dumpster floated down a street in downtown Boston, Governor Baker still supports constructing more exorbitant and unnecessary fossil fuel gas pipelines, his administration just passed huge fees on new solar customers, and our public transit is expensive and unreliable. We look forward to working with the Baker Administration and the State Legislature to speed our transition to a 100% clean energy economy by expanding the Renewable Portfolio Standard, removing barriers to families and businesses choosing clean solar power, and investing in clean, reliable, affordable transportation options. This is how we will stabilize energy costs, grow local jobs, and invest in the health of our citizens."