Reading the Recorder, many passionate writers seem so discouraged. ” … Nothing is happening…on climate issues!” Fortunately, this is far from true. Our state and federal legislators have been working overtime. While there’s a “lull” as legislatures are in election-season recess, I have been studying the new Massachusetts and federal climate laws.
There are two major Massachusetts laws: The Roadmap to 100% Clean Energy by 2050 passed March 26, followed by 16 months of heavy research, proposals, hearings, before the second major law was passed a few weeks ago. After an all-night session on July 31, it was finally signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker on Aug. 11.
So, what have I learned so far? First a little background: we have been warned by the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) based on the work of literally thousands of scientists, that greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere has zoomed passed the highest pre-industrial levels (about 350 parts/million carbon-equivalents) to over 410 parts/million. Remember, human beings on earth survive by utilizing oxygen, breathing out carbon dioxide. We, along with other beings on earth, are now in uncharted territory! Without going into the usual litany of damaging climate events — fires, rising tides, loss of pollinators — we are clearly in crisis. Adapting is complex. However, Massachusetts is now leading most other states with a goal: “net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) over 1990 levels by 2050 and 50% reduction by 2030.”… and we’re making concrete plans!
The first state law in March created a “roadmap” structure, mandating 5-year plans from 2020 to 2050, each plan preceded by a study of greenhouse gas (GHG). The law sets deadlines for transitions to clean energy, primarily based on electricity generated from renewable off-shore wind and solar. The 2022 state law signed in August develops the “pathway” further with essential detailed studies, in preparation for program rollouts.
Even before the first 5-year-plan (2020-2025) was created, the GHG-study revealed a surprisingly big challenge. Natural gas pipelines are leaking methane six times worse than reported by gas companies. Methane, initially 90 times worse GHG than carbon, is leaking from what resembles an urban sea of disintegrating pipelines that are explosively dangerous and toxic.
Skillful mediation using “stakeholder” methods (www.heet.org) over a year, was used to develop consensus ideas: using union workers and gas rights-of-way for hot water pipelines connecting “Micro-grids of geothermal wells,” and boosting ground-water for heating buildings. (Similar to 21 geothermal wells heating Greenfield’s new Transportation Center). Since January 2022, these district systems are being tested in at least six Massachusetts locations involving MIT engineers, unions, activists, foundations, public policy decision-makers, etc.
Besides energy efficiency (insulation/weatherization better than Mass Save) and new geothermal micro-grids, great strides are being made for the generation of renewable, sustainable electricity. Contracts for 3,200 megawatts of off-shore wind (first voted in 2016) for 1,600 megawatts of wind turbines now being built off Cape Cod. Ports have been built. Workforce development funding to train the new generations of installers was in place by December 2021.
In the Legislature’s Zoom hearings, we learned that contracted prices for 3,200 megawatts were so favorable for consumers, that the new 2022 law increased the contracting to a total of 5,600 megawatts, and developed whole systems of oversight and financing. When added to the significant installation of subsidized solar, (and other energy sources), we can anticipate enough sustainable electric energy generated by 2030-2035 at good prices for a transition.
While the pathway law mandated dropping 50% GHG by 2030, measurements show that 26% of GHG in the state is coming from emissions of passenger and light vehicles, and 17% more from other transportation (buses, trains). So, first, we aim to transform our fossil-fueled transportation systems to emissions-free electric: cars, light trucks, buses, school buses, public transportation. The 2022 law starts by building transportation databases, setting the scene for beneficial rebates, tax credits, planning a rollout by first installing electric charging stations in specific commuter locations.
We are also preparing for net zero fossil fuel new/rehabbed residential housing (accounting for 24% of GHG) commercial/industrial (20%GHG) and larger buildings: New net zero building codes were drafted, released March, 2022, and aer being used/tested in 10 towns.
None of this will happen without workforce development. New laws are harnessing Massachusetts’ educational systems to prepare for high-income green energy jobs, with funding going to state colleges and tech schools. Training mandates equity for lower-income regions especially recruiting under-employed people of color, women, Indigenous tribes, those with language barriers, and those losing fossil fuel jobs.
What’s missing? I can see challenges not sufficiently addressed: shortages causing delays; electric storage; better recycling of “waste” (old fossil fuel cars?); addressing steep declines in biodiversity, especially wild pollinators; and most important: helping forests, or regenerative agriculture concentrate atmospheric carbon, creating healthier soils while avoiding flooding, pollution.
Financing? The new state law creates a series of investment funds, each with a specific purpose; plus federal funding (divided among 50 states) from a new national non-profit Green Bank primed with $20 billion, attracting $90 billion, total. Further, add the new federal inflation protection law with $555 billion for climate change, and an organization of global financial investors, GFRANZ, with $130 trillion in assets, advocating net zero by 2050. Thanks to Biden, this is good news! Access to financial resources should be no barrier. Now it’s up to us!
Pamela Kelly, of Greenfield is a member of the Social Justice Committee and All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation, which joined the Franklin County Interfaith Council for Climate Solutions. She can be reached at pamelaskelly@comcast.net.