But, a Massachusetts energy efficiency initiative offers them an opportunity to lower energy costs and reduce emissions.
Through the Mass Save partnership, electric and gas utility companies work with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to offer energy-efficiency improvements.
After getting a home assessment, which can be done virtually, participants receive recommendations for weatherization, lighting and more. Rebates and incentives are available, including to low- or moderate-income residents. Mass Save defines low income as 60 percent of the state median or lower, and moderate income is set at 60 to 80 percent of the median.
Following are some questions and answers about Mass Save compiled by The Eagle from interviews.
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Jan. 25 to Jan. 29, 2021
Published: 2/5/2021 2:53:05 PM
Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on a roll call from the week of Jan. 25 to Jan. 29. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.
Climate change (S 9) The House, 144 to 14, and the Senate on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a 57-page climate change bill. A key section makes the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal net zero by 2050. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Barrett, D-Cambridge, and Rep. Thomas Golden, D-Lowell, who led the successful charge for legislative approval of the legislation for several months in 2020. An identical measure had passed in the House by 145 to 9 and in the Senate by 38 to 2 in 2020 margins that were large enough for the Legislature to easily override any gubernatorial veto. But it was too late. The 2020 Legislature ended on Jan. 5 and under legislative rules, any vetoes made, or
The Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate reaffirmed its commitment today to addressing the climate crisis facing our Commonwealth by passing legislation that overhauls our state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities.
The passage of An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.9), comes after a joint commitment from Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano, as well as last session’s House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, Senator Michael Barrett and Representative Thomas Golden, to refile the legislation following a gubernatorial veto last session.
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),