Massachusetts Leads With Climate Action Now

<!–
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
–>

The Massachusetts State House and Senate gave final approval
to the Global Warming Solutions Act, a bill that will commit the state to making the pollution
reductions that scientists say are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of
global warming.

“Today the Massachusetts legislature passed the most progressive piece of
legislation addressing the global warming and climate change crisis in the
country,” said
State Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), chief sponsor of the Global Warming
Solutions Act.

“Our actions today will revolutionize the Commonwealth’s
future economy by spurring job growth, sparking innovation and protecting our
environment for future generations,” Pacheco said.

The legislation allows the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
to regulate all greenhouse gases across Massachusetts.
Also mandated is a greenhouse gas reduction of 80 percent below 1990 levels by
the year 2050.  The administration is instructed to develop a shorter-term
goal of between 10 percent and 25 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2020 as
well as limits for 2030 and 2040, according to Environment
Massachusetts.

Senator Marc Pacheco said Massachusetts must combat global warming, or
face the consequences—from rising sea levels to more intense storms. "If
global warming and climate change continue to remain unchecked in the
commonwealth, the cost of
inaction will be in the billions," Pacheco said.