Massachusetts
Massachusetts has made significant progress on climate action, acting as a regional and national leader in climate policy.
Legislative Profile
Governor: Charles D. Baker (R)
House: Democratic supermajority
Senate: Democratic supermajority
U.S. Climate Alliance Member
Key Resources
Massachusetts State Energy Profile — U.S. EIA
Massachusetts Climate Action Portal
Net Zero Massachusetts — Environmental League of Massachusetts
An Analysis of Job Creation and Community Benefits from Green Investments — Climate XChange
Tracking Equity and Justice — Applied Economics Clinic
Emissions Reduction Targets
By 2025:
33%
By 2030:
50%
By 2040:
75%
By 2050:
Net-zero
All targets relative to 1990 levels
2019 GHG Emissions By Sector (%)
- Commercial
- Electric
- Residential
- Industrial
- Transportation
- Agriculture
Source: EPA State Inventory Tool (SIT)
Use the + icons in each policy area below to explore climate policy that has been passed at the state level, with links to relevant legislation and trackers. Policies in gray have not yet been passed in this state.
Climate Governance & Equity
Climate Governance
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Emissions Reduction Target
33% by 2025 | 50% by 2030 | 75% by 2040 | net-zero by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels
Mandate Source
Mandatory – S.9 – Creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy (2021)
Climate Action Plan
Climate Bureaucracy
Interagency Commissions/Task Forces
Non-Governmental Advisory Bodies
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Green Bank
Lead by Example
ACEEE Score – 2 out of 2 points**
Public Fleet ZEV Requirements
Executive Order 594 (2021) – Aquire vehicles so that the total state fleet consists of: 5% ZEVs by 2025 | 20% ZEVS by 2030 | 75% ZEVs by 2040 | 100% ZEVs by 2050
Equity
Environmental Justice Community Designation
Mandate Source
S.9 – Creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy (2021)
Definition
“Environmental justice communities” are defined as either census block groups where 30% or more of the population has an income below 200% of the federal poverty level, or municipalities that are the most fiscally and economically distressed.
Include race? Yes | Include income? Yes | Include pollution burden? No
State EJ Mapping Tools
EJ Community Benefit Requirement
EJ Bureaucracy
EJ Advisory Bodies
S.9 (2021) – Requires the formation of an Environmental Justice Council
EJ Government Staff
EEA – Environmental Justice Task Force
**The ACEEE Energy Efficiency Scorecard analyzes the policies and programs states adopt to save energy in public sector buildings and transportation fleets. States can earn up to 2 points.
Adaptation & Resilience
Electricity
Renewables and Energy Storage
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Target
53% by 2025 | 70% by 2030 Relative to 1990 levels
Mandate Source
S.9 – Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (2021)
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Distributed Generation/Solar Carve-out
SPOT Components – 4 out of 5*
Net Metering
SPOT Components – 8 out of 11*
Energy Storage Standard
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Shared Renewables
SPOT Components – 4 out of 6*
*The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.
Grid and Utility Reform
Clean Energy Plan
Grid Modernization Plan
The GridWise Alliance’s Grid Modernization Index (GMI) evaluates and ranks the status of grid modernization efforts across all 50 states and D.C.
50-state Ranking – 11th
Interconnection Standards
SPOT Components – 5 out of 6*
Utility Green Power Option
SPOT Components – 2 out of 6*
New Utility Business Model Proceeding
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Buildings & Efficiency
Building Energy Codes
Residential Codes
SPOT Components – 6 out of 6*
Statewide code – 2018 IECC
Commercial Codes
SPOT Components – 6 out of 6*
Statewide code – 2018 IECC
Stretch or Reach Codes
*The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.
Efficiency Programs and Incentives
Weatherization Programs
SPOT Components – 4 out of 4*
Energy Auditing Programs
Retrocommissioning Programs
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
SPOT Components – 5 out of 10*
Energy Savings Performance Contracting
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Standards and Market Mechanisms
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Building Performance Standard (BPS)
Appliance Performance Standard (APS)
S.9 (2021) – Established energy and water efficiency standards for 15 new products
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Buildings Data Disclosure
Transportation
Vehicle Standards and Incentives
Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates
EV Targets and Sales Requirements
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle (MHDVs) Sales Standards
EV Sales Requirements
Electric Vehicle Incentives
SPOT Components – 3 out of 5*
Charging Infrastructure Incentives
SPOT Components – 2 out of 5*
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
State Planning and Investment
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Emissions Reduction Target
18% by 2025 | 34% by 2030 Relative to 1990 levels
Mandate Source
Voluntary – S.9 – Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (2021)
Decarbonization Plan
EV and EV Charging Infrastructure Plans
EV Transit Bus Deployment
The ACEEE Transportation Electrification Scorecard analyzes the level of investment and policies states adopt to procure electric transit buses. States can earn up to 6 points.
ACEEE Score – 2 out of 6 points
Bicycle Friendly State
The League of American Bicyclists’ State Report Cards evaluate and rank the safety and efficiency of active transportation systems across all 50 states.
50-state Ranking – 1st
*The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.
Agriculture
Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture Governance
Mandate Source
S.2404 – Passed as part of 2021 economic development bill
Task Force Portal or Action Plan
Requires a Healthy Soils Action Plan
Financial Incentives
S.2404 – Passed as part of 2021 economic development bill
Technical Assistance & Education Programs
S.2404 – Passed as part of 2021 economic development bill
Food Waste Bans and Targets
Food Waste Ban – Required for businesses and institutions that generate more than 1 ton of food waste per week
Mandate Source
310 CMR 19.017 (2014)
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Regulations
HFC Regulations
310 CMR 7.76 (2020) – Prohibits the use of certain HFCs in refrigeration equipment, air conditioning chillers, aerosol propellants, and foams that are manufactured or used in Massachusetts
Methane Regulations
310 CMR 7.73 (2017; updated in 2021) – Sets annual declining emission limits for Massachusetts natural gas operators
SF6 Regulations
310 CMR 7.72 (2017) – Reduces SF6 emissions from gas-insulated switchgear