Baker sends climate change bill back to Legislature, asking for changes and âcommon groundâ
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Governor Charlie Baker favors a goal of cutting emissions by 45 percent by 2030.Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Governor Charlie Baker on Sunday returned to the Legislature a sweeping climate change bill he had previously vetoed, this time asking lawmakers to consider scaling back some of the core features aimed at drastically reducing carbon emissions by 2050.
Bakerâs decision to return the legislation with amendments was expected after lawmakers, in a show of defiance, overwhelmingly approved an identical version of the bill that had died on Bakerâs desk early last month. But on Sunday, legislative leaders expressed willingness to consider and potentially incorporate some of Bakerâs proposals.
Tue, 02/09/2021 - 4:33am tim
by John McClaughry In July 2019 the legislature instructed the Public Utility Commission to recommend what the legislature must do to adopt “a multi-pronged approach to address Vermont’s greenhouse gas reduction and weatherization goals.” The PUC has now delivered its report. It can be summarized in two words: “More Funding!”
“If Vermont is to make progress toward its energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions goal and commitments, the State will need to identify appropriate, stable, and robust funding and program options outside the traditionally regulated sectors of electricity and natural gas.”
Translation: “Let’s find something to tax, to bring in the robust tax dollars required to pay, and keep on paying, for the Green agenda. More Funding!”
MetroWest environmental enthusiasts say Biden presidency is breath of fresh air
The Milford Daily News
Energy experts generally agree that successfully addressing climate change requires a unified effort from individuals and all levels of government.
That’s why state Senate President Karen Spilka is encouraged by President Joe Biden’s efforts to address the issues head-on in stark contrast to the Trump administration, which did not help fix the problem, she said.
“It’s very exciting to finally have a partner on the federal level,” the Ashland Democrat told the Daily News. “I do believe that climate change is the biggest threat to us and it s our responsibility to ensure that we leave a healthy viable planet for our next generation.”
Harvard University recently announced that it is purchasing four battery-based electric buses as part of an effort to advance solutions for climate change, improve public health and support the university’s climate goals of becoming fossil fuel-free by 2050 and fossil fuel-neutral by 2026.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
On January 28, 2021, and for the second time in a month, the Massachusetts Legislature passed historic legislation designed to holistically address issues associated with the effects from climate change. Governor Baker has 10 days to sign it, veto it, or return it to the General Court with recommended amendments.
Once again, however, it seems that despite their shared policy interests around the need to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, there still are concerns and issues with the legislation for the Baker Administration. Despite the overwhelming support from both Chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature, the legislation came and went unsigned by the Governor when it initially passed both the House and Senate on January 4, 2021. Whether due in larger part to the last minute nature of the legislation (initially voted on by the House in the waning days of the legislative session, preventing meaningful offers of amendments from the Governor),