Building Our Green Economy
Massachusetts has the potential to be among the world’s leaders in clean technology start-ups and private investment in environmental and climate innovation. With the right investment and strong climate policies, our Commonwealth can start, staff, and grow ideas, companies, and technologies that address environmental challenges.
ELM advocates for outcomes that provide robust, sustained funding for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, grow our clean energy workforce, modernize and accelerate approvals for clean energy projects, and utilize strong labor standards and a home-grown supply chain.
DECISIONS AFFECTING OUR GREEN ECONOMY:
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.