Climate legislation discussed at State House

BOSTON (WWLP) – Climate advocacy groups and legislative specialists gathered in Boston Monday to take a look at the progress of several climate-related bills.

The Massachusetts Climate Action Network had their monthly meeting on Monday afternoon to provide updates on climate-related bills in the state House of Representatives and Senate.
Last week the senate passed an omnibus climate bill addressing clean energy permitting reform among numerous other sustainability issues.

Dan Zackin, the legislative coordinator for the climate change advocacy group 350 Mass , presented his organization’s perspective on movement of climate change bills this session.
He says the legislature has been quote “procrastinating.”

“They haven’t been busy passing bills. So in these final chunks of the legislative session, we’re seeing this huge rush…and climate is unfortunately in that category of bills that’s been left to this final push,” said Zackin.

Zackin said that while there are many good policies put forth in the Senate climate bill, there are a few crucial failures, including a lack of climate justice provisions. Among failed amendments was one that would prevent a gas pipeline from being built through Western Massachusetts, along with other similar projects.

The House is expected to take up their own climate bill before the end of the legislative session coming up at the end of this month.

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