November 22, 2024
Massachusetts Legislators Send Climate Bill Back to Baker
A broad climate bill is now on the desk of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
A broad climate bill is now on the desk of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. | Office of Gov. Charlie Baker
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Gov. Charlie Baker has an amended climate bill on his desk after a flurry of weekend action at the State House.

Massachusetts legislators sent an amended climate bill back to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk in a flurry of lawmaking that saw the year’s legislative session end in the early hours of Monday morning.

After the House and Senate passed a compromise version of the bill two weeks ago, Baker sent back a list of amendments Friday, giving the legislature two days to decide how to incorporate them before the session ended. (See Mass. Legislators Reach Deal on Clean Energy Bill.)

The legislature accepted Baker’s key amendment to eliminate a price cap on offshore wind procurements. It also added his changes to the board selection process for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

But lawmakers rejected several of Baker’s other proposed amendments.

The State House did not go for provisions from the governor that would weaken a portion of the bill allowing 10 Massachusetts municipalities to ban fossil fuels from new buildings and major renovations. (Baker had proposed that multifamily housing be exempt and that the ordinances take effect when there is more clean energy on the grid.)

Legislators also denied Baker’s amendment to allocate $750 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the clean energy investment fund that the bill creates.

“A very strong climate bill for [Massachusetts], the second in as many years, is now on the governor’s desk,” said Sen. Michael Barrett, one of the bill’s lead sponsors.

Because the bill does not include any new funding, Baker cannot veto individual line items.

“Now all eyes are on you,” tweeted Ben Hellerstein, director of Environment Massachusetts. “Sign the bill!”

CookingMassachusettsOffshore Wind PowerSpace HeatingState and Local PolicyWater Heating

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