CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (August 11, 2017)—Today, Massachusetts has issued new regulations to reduce the emissions that cause climate change. These rules are a positive step, but the state needs to go further to meet its climate goals, including working across state lines to cut transportation emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Below is a statement by Ken Kimmell, president of UCS.
“We commend the Baker administration for its continued leadership on clean energy in Massachusetts. These new rules build on the progress that Massachusetts made during last year’s energy bill, and will help reduce both carbon dioxide emissions from the electric generating sector and methane from natural gas leaks.
“However important this step is, though, it’s also incomplete. Transportation is now the largest source of global warming pollution in Massachusetts, and it’s the one area where emissions today are actually higher than they were in 1990. Achieving the long-term limits of the Global Warming Solutions Act will require new policies to advance clean transportation.
“We encourage the Baker administration to show that Massachusetts can be a leader on transportation emissions. Our state’s leaders should support a regional solution that puts a price on carbon emissions and funds much needed investments in electric vehicles and public transportation.”