House Unanimously Passes Global Warming Solutions Act

Reworked bill sets limits on emissions linked to climate change, establishes stringent penalties for emission cap violations

BOSTON – The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation that will cap harmful greenhouse gas emissions and put in place a long-term plan to curb emissions in the Commonwealth.

Under the bill redrafted by House leaders and the Patrick administration, bold economy-wide emissions limits would be set – up to 25 percent of 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent those levels by 2050. The bill sets interim targets for 2030 and 2040 to facilitate hitting the 2050 level.

Tough new penalties will meet violators under the bill, with civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day for emission violations.

The redraft language, developed by House leaders with Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles, would charge the Secretary with mapping a plan to achieve the 2020 emissions limit by creating new regulations for electricity generation, fuel supplies, heating and cooling of buildings, and vehicle emissions. The Secretary would also be required to establish an emissions registry and reporting system to monitor emissions in the Commonwealth by 2014.

The bill also sets up a climate change adaptation advisory committee to examine how humans and plant and animal species will adapt to the reality of climate change.

“The evidence is clear that the burning of fossil fuels will have long-term effects on our environment. So it is our job, as citizens of this Commonwealth and of the globe, to preserve our natural resources for generations to come. With the adoption of this bill, the House has taken a bold step to protect our planet today and tomorrow,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“In order to stop carbon emissions from taking a toll on our environment, it is going to take bold initiatives from the states and the full cooperation and support of leadership in Washington,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. “With the adoption of this bill, Massachusetts will be setting an example for the nation to follow. I hope the House will approve this bill and make our state part of the global warming solution.”

“This bill will put Massachusetts in a national leadership role in confronting climate change by creating a stringent, yet market-based, emissions reduction mandate that will create clean energy jobs,” said Secretary Bowles. “Taken together with major new laws on oceans, energy reform and biofuels as well as pending bills on environmental bonding and the promotion of the clean energy sector, this legislation would cap a landmark legislative session. I commend Speaker DiMasi, Senate President Murray, Senator Pacheco, Chairman Smizik, and numerous environmental, business, and clean energy advocates for their work on this vitally important challenge.”

“This bill is a bold measure that will encourage the use of clean energy and address the problem of carbon pollution through market-based incentives,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Environmental Committee Chairman. “We must pass this legislation in order to preserve the quality of life in Massachusetts and protect our ecosystem and public health for generations to come.”

“Combating global warming is as much about protecting Massachusetts as it is about protecting the planet. We need to do our part to limit the negative impacts of climate change so we can protect our beaches, improve people’s health and have a cleaner environment. Working with the governor, Massachusetts is now recognized as a national leader in the development of clean and renewable energy technology and the new jobs that sector will bring. Now, with this bill, we will also be a leader in taking immediate action to reduce harmful carbon emissions,” stated Representative Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways & Means.

House Unanimously Approves Green Jobs Initiative

Bill will promote workforce training in clean energy sector, assist expansion of green companies in Commonwealth

BOSTON – In an effort to grow jobs in the Commonwealth’s burgeoning clean energy sector, The House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation to encourage green start-up companies to expand in Massachusetts and provide individuals of all income levels with the job skills needed to excel in the state’s budding green economy.

“The clean energy industry stands to be a significant revenue and job generator for Massachusetts. The green jobs bill will ensure that people of all income levels can take advantage of the jobs created in this new and promising sector and encourage companies to expand their operations in the Bay State,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“From the outset of this legislative session, the House made energy reform its top priority. Today we add to this session’s clean energy agenda with a bill that will not only bolster our efforts to change the way we consume, produce and deliver energy in the Commonwealth but also grow jobs and provide new opportunities for our workforce,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“I commend the Speaker on his continued leadership in solidifying the Commonwealth as a national leader in the green movement. His Green Communities Law is groundbreaking and will develop great demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Massachusetts. This Green Jobs bill will create the workforce and develop the industry needed to service that demand. It’s going to put thousands of people to work throughout the entire state and create sustainable economic development in an industry that has great potential for the commonwealth,” said Representative Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

The bill establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to serve as the state’s lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The Center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the Commonwealth through the establishment and administration of job growth grants.

The bill establishes two types of job growth grants to be administered by the Center: Clean Energy Seed Grant and Green Jobs Initiative Grant. The Clean Energy Seed Grant will award funding to clean energy researchers and companies, non-profit and community-based organizations that seek to expand their organization and grow jobs. The Green Jobs Grant Initiative will award funding to higher education institutions and vocational technical schools to facilitate workforce development efforts.

The bill is revenue neutral. Under the bill, $43 million from the Massachusetts Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund and $5 million from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund will be transferred to the Center to administer grants and facilitate economic growth. In FY09 budget, $3.95 million was allocated to fund a clean energy industry study, operations at the Center, and three different green job growth programs that will be administered by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, including the Pathways out of Poverty workforce development grant to train low and moderate income individuals for jobs in the clean energy sector.

The Center will also develop a state-wide plan for installation and operation of renewable energy generating facilities on state-owned property to advance the use of alternative energy and provide new opportunities for workforce development and training initiatives in communities across the state.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate for its consideration.