On Monday, January 4, the penultimate day of the legislative session, the MA House and Senate passed a strong consensus climate bill: S.2995: An Act creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy.

The bill sets a roadmap for net zero by 2050 (with 5-year plans and benchmarks), establishes stronger emissions targets, increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard, codifies Environmental Justice protections, and takes additional steps to encourage wind, solar, and geothermal energy as well as energy efficiency. Although the bill does not go as far as the climate crisis requires, it is a solid next step forward.

However, it's unclear whether Governor Baker will sign it or not.

Since the Legislature waited so long, Baker can choose to "pocket veto" the bill: if he takes no action over the next ten days, the bill dies.

We need to make sure that doesn't happen.