We used to lead in Massachusetts.
But as we charge headlong into a legislative session that — at least in the Senate — promises some serious steps towards clean energy and climate action, we can now look to the example of other states. Colorado in particular, with a new trifecta of Democratic power, last year passed an impressive set of clean energy goals.
Under the law, Colorado will cut climate pollution by (relative to 2005 pollution levels):
- At least 26 percent by 2025
- At least 50 percent by 2030
- At least 90 percent by 2050
The law also requires the development of cost-effective solutions to achieve the pollution cuts.
The Colorado House of Representatives passed the bill overwhelmingly in April, and the state Senate passed it earlier this month. The measure had broad support across the state, with Xcel Energy, leading businesses, and environmental groups like EDF and Conservation Colorado all backing it.
The bill was one of seven environmental and clean energy measures that Governor Polis signed in a ceremony today. The other measures include new clean energy standards for appliances and building energy codes, transformative energy policy requiring Colorado’s largest utility to reduce carbon pollution by a nation-leading 80 percent by 2030, and a measure to collect more long-term climate change data.
How about that — it can be done! As you’re bored of hearing me say, there are bills before the MA legislature to bring us to 100% renewable energy by 2045 (all electricity by 2035); new net-zero building codes — and the Vitolo bill!
H.2930 An Act Sparking the Modernization of State Heating Systems
This bill seeks to provide job training for the installation and service of electric heat pumps, particularly to those who perform similar tasks for fossil fuel fired systems; to modernize specific rate-making and cost-benefit analyses related to natural gas; and to prohibit expenditures by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be used for the purchase or installation of new fossil fuel fired heating systems.
We used to be a contender. We used to be somebody. We could be again.
VA is about to leapfrog us too on renewables and transit funding. MD is experimenting with upzoning and Vienna style social housing that will increase affordability and better link new housing to transit.
From a policy standpoint, this is a fairly small c conservative state. Continuing to be that way in the face of the climate crisis, the transit crisis, and the housing crisis will make it capital C conservative soon enough.
Well, Denver at a mile high vs. Boston on the coast definitely has us beat in the “on a hill” department!:)
If sea level rises dramatically, Denver may be the refuge of choice.