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BEACON HILL HAPPENINGS
– Keep an Eye on the Massachusetts 2050 Roadmap Bill: With the passage of its Next Generation Climate bills in January 2020, the Massachusetts Senate laid out its vision for comprehensive climate policy this session. Attention has now shifted to the House of Representatives, which is feeling increased pressure to pass similar climate change legislation. The climate policy landscape has shifted dramatically since last session, and there is a unique opportunity for substantial climate action in the House before the end of 2020.
At the center of this opportunity is one specific bill: Representative Meschino’s 2050 Roadmap bill. [Learn more about the Roadmap bill and the politics behind it]
– “Bay State’s proposed Climate Policy Commission: a model for climate oversight” (Sud Mathur, Climate XChange) [read the article]
– “Major tax bill to raise money for transportation clears House” (Chris Lisinski, SHNS via 22 WWLP): “The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a major tax bill Wednesday night that Democratic leaders say will generate more than half a billion dollars for transportation infrastructure by increasing taxes or fees on gasoline, corporations, ride-hailing services and vehicle purchases by rental car companies… The transportation bill they unveiled last week includes language that would effectively require the administration to walk back the gas tax increase if TCI is implemented and raises prices. Rep. Michelle Ciccolo filed an amendment to strip that language, but she withdrew it Wednesday.”
– “Green coalition again outlines case for 1 percent of state spending” (Chris Van Buskirk, SHNS via Berkshire Eagle): [read the article]
– “For Governor Baker, shifting Mass. to greener electricity is proving to be a sticky saga” (Jon Chesto, Boston Globe) [read the article] [$]
– “State push to promote electric buses faces obstacles” (Chris Lisinski, SHNS via the Salem News) [read the article]
– “AP VoteCast: Massachusetts cares about health care, climate” (Associated Press, 7 News Boston): “Voters in Massachusetts’ Democratic primary ranked health care and climate change as the most important issues facing the country… Roughly 3 in 10 had climate change on their minds, according to a wide-ranging AP VoteCast survey of the Democratic primary electorate in Massachusetts.”
– “‘Net zero’ emissions goal is attainable, advocates say” (Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette) [read the article]
ALL POLICY IS LOCAL
– “Municipal aggregation savings ‘shattering expectations’ in Massachusetts” (Sarah Shemkus, Energy News Network) [read the article]
– “In Boston, ‘yesterday’s paper route could become tomorrow’s neighborhood compost collection route’” (Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe) [read the article] [$]
– “Baker Cites ‘Real Benefits’ In Eversource-Columbia Gas Deal” (Colin A. Young, SHNS via WGBH): [read the article]
– “State Designates Several Local Towns as Green Communities” (CapeCod.com) [read the article]
LOCAL IDEAS
– “Seeing green when buying a house” by Dennis Frenchman, via the Boston Globe. [$]
– “Here’s what you can do about climate change” by Hilary Davis, via the Boston Globe. [$]
– “The net zero imperative for Suffolk Downs” by Alex DeFronzo and Kannan Thiruvengadam, via Commonwealth Magazine.
– “House makes right move on transportation” by the Editorial Board, via the Boston Globe. [$]
– “Let’s demand stronger action on climate crisis from governor, legislators” by Sally Pick, via the Greenfield Reporter.
– “Why conservatives distrust environmentalism” by Greg Fournier, via the Massachusetts Daily Collegian.
– “Local environmental groups concerned about Trump’s policy proposals” by Anita Fritz, via the Greenfield Recorder.
LOCAL CLIMATE SPOTLIGHT
– “Varshini Prakash Is Trying to Save Boston From Climate Change” (Catherine Elton, Boston Magazine) [read the article]
2020 CLIMATE
– “Elizabeth Warren’s new climate plan can go the distance, even if her campaign can’t” (Zoya Teirstein, Grist) [read the article]
– “Weld announces campaign climate change plan” (Lucas Phillips, Boston Globe): [read the article]
OFFSHORE WIND
– “Vineyard Wind facing lots of hurdles” (Bruce Mohl, Commonwealth Magazine) [read the article]
BEYOND THE BAY STATE
– “Transmission line foes clear hurdle to November ballot” (Salem News) [read the article]
– “U.S. Agriculture set to tackle carbon emissions with USDA plan” (Carlie Clarcq, Climate XChange) [read the article]
ROUNDUP REDUX
Missed the last CXC Roundup? Here are the top three climate headlines from last week:
- DEVELOPING: Baker Admin Releases Draft Letter Establishing Net-zero Emissions Target
- Greenworks bill gets Senate hearing, activists urge action
- Local Environmental Action 2020
Read the full Roundup here from March 5th, 2020 here.
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