ELM Statement on the Senate Vote to Pass S.2829

June 25, 2024 – Today, the Massachusetts Senate voted to pass S.2829, An Act upgrading the grid and protecting ratepayers, a sweeping climate bill that will streamline the creation of responsibly developed clean energy, prioritize our transition from gas, reduce single-use plastic waste, and support electrified transportation.   

“The net-zero transition represents a watershed opportunity to improve the way we engage with communities, protect valuable land and water, and address disproportionate burdens when we site, permit, and plan clean energy infrastructure.” said David Melly, Legislative Director for the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “And comprehensive action on waste reduction will both support our climate goals and reduce damage to the very same natural resources we’re working to protect.”  

ELM thanks Senate President Karen Spilka and Chair Mike Barrett for their commitment to our clean energy future. As passed by the Senate, this legislation will implement key reforms to the state’s energy siting and permitting processes designed to facilitate deployment of renewables and improved community engagement while directing utilities and state agencies to plan more effectively for a future without fossil fuels. Amendments adopted during debate included an expansion to the state’s bottle deposit law, the codification of resilient drought policy in state law, and electrification timelines for the MBTA Commuter Rail. ELM also thanks Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, Senator Brendan Crighton, and Senator Jamie Eldridge for their leadership on these key initiatives. 

Massachusetts lawmakers have passed game-changing legislation in the past two sessions. We must keep this momentum going and ensure our state takes meaningful action to address the climate crisis by July 31. ELM looks forward to continued work with the Massachusetts Legislature to advance an effective 2024 Climate Omnibus Bill that will help set our state on track to reach its 2030 and 2050 climate goals.