by TIM CRONIN POLICY ASSOCIATE

Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ (AIM) statement in the latest Senate omnibus clean energy bill was for the most part what one would expect from the state’s largest industry lobbyist. It called the bill “Christmas for special interests” and decried its ‘unnecessary subsidies’ to solar and wind (not pointing out their positive impacts on the state economy and local jobs).

One provision that AIM was surprisingly sympathetic towards was a proposal to implement a carbon price. According to their statement, “AIM supports imposition of a tax [price] on carbon only if the money is used exclusively to invest in programs, including public transportation, that reduce fuel use.”

Given current politics in the State House, it is unlikely that any Senate-originating omnibus bill will make it through the House intact. But there is a silver lining in AIM’s recent statement. Carbon pricing legislation similar to that in the omnibus bill, currently enjoys strong backing on Beacon Hill. This session over 79 lawmakers have supported the measure, and it has wide support in the local small business community. This offers policymakers in both chambers an opportunity to forge a consensus on clean energy legislation this session, with a policy that large and small businesses can get behind.

By prioritizing putting a price on carbon this session, lawmakers can move the Commonwealth towards a clean energy future, create jobs, and establish Massachusetts as a national leader in reducing GHG emissions.

TIM CRONIN POLICY ASSOCIATE
Tim assists in coordinating CABA’s Policy Program, and is a young professional with experience in community organizing and state politics. He is currently pursuing a B.A. in Economics at Stonehill College. Tim has previously studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University, and has interned at the State House and in local government. He currently serves as student-body president at Stonehill College where he has continued to fight for sustainable initiatives such as fossil fuel divestment, expanding the college’s solar farm, and reducing food waste. Tim is on the board of a local civic association in his hometown of Weymouth, and is the founder of the community nonprofit Green Weymouth. Tim enjoys reading The Economist, listening to podcasts, and exploring state parks in his free time.