NetZeroMA.org tracks the most consequential actions shaping Massachusetts’ climate progress.
Massachusetts has among the strongest climate laws in the nation. The Next Generation Roadmap Act, passed in 2021, requires the Commonwealth to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% by 2030 – putting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and improving public health and energy affordability.
But passing strong laws is only the beginning. Between now and 2030, state leaders must follow through with the decisions, investments, and implementation needed to meet these targets.
NetZeroMA.org, created by the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), serves as an accountability hub, keeping track of the state’s progress on clean energy deployment, building decarbonization, transportation modernization, environmental justice and public health, natural resource protection, and our green economy. State policy experts weigh in on the positive and negative impacts of key decisions to help you understand where Massachusetts stands and where we need to go to be on track to net-zero.
HOW TO USE THIS WEBSITE
NetZeroMA.org tracks climate decisions through two categories. Our color code indicates the impact a decision has on our progress, and our icons indicate the issue area affected.
Please see our key below to navigate.
JAN. 26, 2026 – The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line began delivering Canadian hydropower into the New England grid, marking a major milestone for regional clean energy and reliability. Enabled by Massachusetts’ 2016 clean energy procurement law, NECEC faced years of legal and political setbacks before finally reaching operation.
The line is capable of delivering up to 1,200 megawatts of firm hydropower, with contracts providing 1,090 megawatts and supplying nearly 20% of Massachusetts’ electricity during most of the year. Massachusetts expects the project to deliver $3.38 billion in net economic benefits over the life of the contracts and reduce customer bills by roughly $50 million annually. The project has already resulted in lower wholesale energy prices in Maine, where the line connects into the ISO-New England grid.
ELM applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration and regional partners for completing NECEC and bringing stable, affordable clean power to Massachusetts. This demonstrates that smart policy and persistence can deliver real savings for ratepayers while strengthening New England’s energy future.
JAN. 26, 2026 – A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction allowing Sunrise Wind, a project expected to power 600,000 New York homes, to resume construction. This marks the fifth consecutive court decision permitting one of the five offshore wind projects suspended under the federal government’s December 22 stop-work order to move forward.
In recent weeks, Vineyard Wind (MA), Revolution Wind (RI), Empire Wind (NY), and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (VI) have all secured similar rulings. These decisions mean that critical projects, including Vineyard Wind 1 here in Massachusetts, can continue building, allowing workers to return to job sites and preventing further delays to urgently needed clean energy generation.
However, these rulings are not final, and the federal government’s December 22 order is not dead. Developers’ legal challenges will now proceed, with courts evaluating the underlying legality of the suspension itself.
ELM, as the leader of the New England for Offshore Wind Coalition (NE4OSW), welcomes these injunctions as an important win for the rule of law, workers, and energy reliability. We urge the federal government to end its obstruction of offshore wind and allow these fully reviewed projects to move forward without further political interference.
DEC. 9, 2025 – A federal judge has overturned President Trump’s January 20, 2025 executive order that blocked wind energy permitting on federal lands and waters, ruling that the sweeping halt was unlawful. This decision follows lawsuits led by a coalition of attorneys general, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and removes a major barrier that has slowed offshore wind development across the country.
For New England, the ruling could help ensure a clearer path forward for projects already under construction. However, industry leaders and experts caution that significant uncertainty remains, and federal agencies still have other tools to delay or obstruct projects.
ELM welcomes this decision as an important victory for clean energy. However, Massachusetts and the region need lasting federal certainty to protect jobs, stabilize energy costs, and keep offshore wind development moving forward.
JUL. 20, 2025 – The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ approved seasonal, heat pump specific rates for all three electric companies, meaning all residential customers using heat pumps will have access to lower rates beginning November 1.
These rates are expected to save participating customers an average of $540 in winter 2025-2026, and they do so without imposing additional costs on other ratepayers. By more accurately reflecting the underlying cost drivers of the electric grid, heat pump rates can make clean heating more affordable while supporting Massachusetts’ broader efforts to reduce building emissions and transition away from fossil fuels.
ELM supports the DPU’s leadership in advancing a fairer, cleaner, and more affordable grid for all.
JUL. 4, 2025 – In addition to trillions of dollars in state funding for health care, food assistance, and education, the budget reconciliation bill eliminates programs and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (2021) that promoted energy efficiency, transmission for clean energy, electric vehicles, and investments in climate resiliency, and eliminates crucial tax credits for renewable energy that do not reach construction milestones by July 4, 2026.
ELM urges the federal government to reverse course and restore these critical investments. Rolling back support for energy efficiency, resilience, and grid modernization will raise costs for families, undermine job growth, and weaken the nation’s ability to respond to the climate crisis. Massachusetts and New England must continue to lead in protecting our communities and advancing the clean energy transition.
JAN. 20, 2025 – President Trump’s rollback of key federal climate policies has undermined the nation’s ability to confront the climate crisis at the scale it demands. By turning away from renewable energy and clean technology, the administration is jeopardizing not only progress on emissions reductions and climate resilience, but also America’s global competitiveness, innovation leadership, and job growth.
In the face of renewed federal hostility toward climate action, Massachusetts must continue to lead—defending our communities, catalyzing our clean energy transition, and standing firm against efforts to weaken environmental protections. ELM remains committed to advancing strong climate solutions at the state level.
2024
NOV. 14, 2024 – The Massachusetts Legislature passed both an expansive omnibus climate billand substantial climatetech investments in the Economic Development Bill.
The omnibus climate bill, An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers, expedites our Commonwealth’s clean energy transition through siting and permitting reform; a state procurement for energy storage resources; increased electric vehicle charging access, and; expanded offshore wind tax incentives.
The transformative climatetech provisions within the Economic Development Bill (H.4804 An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership) integrates climate priorities into our state’s economic development strategy, which will expand our workforce, drive competitive growth, and catalyze the development of technology to address our climate crisis.
ELM thanks the Legislature for passing these bills and looks forward to working with our state government to implement them.
SEP. 19, 2024 – The Massachusetts Legislature passed An Act to Provide for Competitiveness and Infrastructure Investment in Massachusetts, a unanimously supported bill directing up to $750 million in interest generated from the state’s existing rainy-day fund to match federal grants for infrastructure, clean energy, and climate resilience.
This money will enable our Commonwealth to strategically address some of our most important energy and infrastructure challenges using gains on existing backup accounts. ELM commends this thoughtful, common-sense investment in our resilience, health, and economy.