Sierra Club Applauds MA Senate For Passage of Clean Energy Bill

Sierra Club Applauds MA Senate for Passage of “Clean Energy Future” Bill

BOSTON, MA --The Massachusetts Senate today voted to approve “An Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future”, which includes numerous provisions to help Massachusetts residents, businesses and governments reduce the use of fossil fuels.

The bill increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard to a 3% increase per year, up from the current 1%, which would allow Massachusetts to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030. It also expands procurement of offshore wind to 5,000 megawatts (up from the current 1,600 megawatts) while removing the solar net metering cap and expanding access to solar energy for low income consumers. Additionally, the bill directs the state pension fund to divest from coal - among many other provisions.

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

“The bill passed by the Massachusetts Senate tonight demonstrates true leadership when it comes to taking action on climate change. More clean energy means cleaner air, healthier communities, stable energy prices and local, good-paying jobs in our region. We will now turn our attention to the Massachusetts House to urge them to take up and pass this critical energy legislation as soon as possible so it can go to the Governor’s desk for his signature. There is no time to wait; our state’s leadership is more important than ever.”

Chapter Chair Deb Pasternak said, “This energy bill is great for Massachusetts: helping to create a just and clean energy economy that will help bring global investment, good paying jobs, and stable long term electricity prices to our region. With this strong foundation, Massachusetts is well positioned to benefit from the global boom in green energy as an environmental leader in the race to mitigate climate change and other negative impacts of fossil fuel generation.”