BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration released a draft of its formal determination letter establishing net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the Commonwealth’s new legal emissions limit for 2050.
The release of the letter begins a month-long public comment period during which the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will seek input and engagement regarding the details of the state’s new net zero limit. The new net zero limit, together with the Commonwealth’s ongoing “2050 Roadmap” planning effort to achieve that limit, will be discussed during a series of seven public meetings throughout the Commonwealth in March.
“We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in cities and towns across Massachusetts, which is why I was proud to commit the Commonwealth to an ambitious target of net zero emissions,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Meeting this challenge will require bold action and partnership throughout every sector of the economy, and we look forward to working with stakeholders to pursue this target in a way that is equitable and cost-effective.”
“The release of this draft letter marks a significant step forward in the Commonwealth’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By pursuing net zero emissions, we have a tremendous opportunity to build healthier, more resilient communities across the Commonwealth while also creating new pathways for economic growth.”
The 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) requires the EEA Secretary to adopt a statewide GHG emissions limit for 2050 that is at least 80 percent below the state’s 1990 emissions level, as well as interim limits for 2030 and 2040. Following Governor Baker’s announcement of the new net zero target during his State of the Commonwealth address in January, EEA has begun statutorily required consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Energy Resources. When the final determination letter is issued in April, it will establish net zero as the Commonwealth’s legal emissions limit for 2050 pursuant to the GWSA.
The state’s 2050 Roadmap is a nation-leading quantitative and qualitative planning effort that will chart multiple technical and policy pathways by which the Commonwealth can equitably and cost-effectively achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and will conclude with the publication of a long-range 2050 Roadmap report. The state’s 2050 Roadmap analysis will directly inform the state’s 2030 emissions limit, which will be set at the end of this year together with the publication of a second report detailing the state’s plan to achieve that limit, the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030.
“Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will require hard work and collaboration between the public and private sectors, and the 2050 Roadmap effort is critical to establishing a foundation that will position the Commonwealth to meet its climate goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “We urge stakeholders and the public to participate in these public comment periods to ensure the net zero determination and 2050 Roadmap deliver benefits to every community across the Commonwealth.”
Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to join these meetings to learn more about the 2050 Roadmap planning effort, which is currently underway, as well as to contribute feedback regarding the state’s draft 2050 net zero emissions limit determination.
Further information about the public meetings, the 2050 Roadmap, and the net zero emissions limit determination can be found at www.mass.gov/2050Roadmap. Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on the draft determination letter through 5 p.m. on April 10, 2020.
