Massachusetts Enacts Major Climate Bill With Gas Hookup Bans
Massachusetts Enacts Major Climate Bill With Gas Hookup Bans
Abstract
August 12, 2022 Scott Van Voorhis KEYWORDS climate bill / Climate Change / Green buildings / Massachusetts / Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker / net zero energy Order Reprints No Comments Massachusetts has enacted a clean energy law that gives a green light to a controversial plan to allow some local communities to ban new natural gas-hookups. Signed Aug. 11 by outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker, the Act Advancing Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, also expands the state's offshore wind energy mandate to 5.6 GW, from 4GW previously, while scrapping price caps on new bids that had lowered interest in the development of new projects. The new law also aims to accelerate the transition of the state's transportation sector, boosting incentives for electric-vehicle purchases and setting a deadline to phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles and trucks. Ten Boston area communities will now be allowed to halt new gas hookups in a range of new building projects, including Cambridge, a growing global center in the life science sector, as well as Newton, Brookline, Lexington, Concord and Arlington. Legislative leaders balked at an exemption, but did add to the bill a requirement that communities must have met state affordable housing quotas before they are able to start banning new gas hookups. The new law, which beefs up the climate legislation Baker signed in March 2021, also aims to encourage offshore wind developers and other companies to invest in the supply chain of local firms that provide components, goods and other services to the budding sector. Sales of new gas-powered vehicles must be phased out by 2035, with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority having until 2040 to transition its fleet off trains, buses and other vehicles to emission free models.