Massachusetts has some of the strongest climate laws in the nation. The Next Generation Roadmap Act 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.
But passing strong laws is only the beginning. The next several years will be defined by whether state leaders follow through with the decisions, investments, and implementation needed to meet these targets.
NetZeroMA.org is the Environmental League of Massachusetts‘ accountability hub for tracking the most consequential climate decisions shaping Massachusetts’ progress on clean energy deployment, building decarbonization, transportation electrification, environmental justice and public health, natural resource protection, and a green economy. ELM’s summary and analysis of each decision we track will help you understand what it means and what comes next.
A federal judge has overturned President Trump’s January executive order that blocked wind energy permitting on federal lands and waters, ruling that the sweeping halt was unlawful. The decision follows legal action 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.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ approved Eversource’s rates, meaning utilities will now offer new, heat pump-specific electric rates for residential customers beginning November 1, designed to lower bills during the winter months.
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.
The federal administration’s efforts to halt offshore wind development, including actions to freeze project permitting and roll back federal tax incentives for renewable energy, pose a direct threat to New England’s clean energy future. Our region is uniquely positioned to harness offshore wind to deliver reliable, affordable power to hundreds of thousands of homes, strengthen grid resilience, and create good-paying jobs.
ELM urges the federal government to reverse course and supports the New England states that are standing firm in defense of the clean energy infrastructure our communities need.
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
On November 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.
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.