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Fifty lawmakers in the state of Massachusetts just put their support behind a bill that would transition the state’s energy system to renewable sources like solar and wind.
“If passed, this would be the most ambitious clean energy initiative by any state so far,” Ben Hellerstein, State Director Env. Massachusetts said. “It’s up to Massachusetts to lead the way forward for a cleaner, safer future.”
The bill sets different deadlines, requiring all electricity in the Commonwealth to be sourced from clean energy initiatives like solar and wind by 2035; and heating, transportation, and others by 2050.
The Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act already mandates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.
While 100 percent renewable energy may seem like a lofty goal, it is “not merely possible, but long overdue,” Linsky said. “With each and every day our elected officials fail to act, we fall further behind.”
“The bill will achieve its goal by setting out a clear timeline for us to reduce our use of dirty energy like coal, oil, and gas,: added Ben Hellerstein. “And it gives the state the power to establish regulations that will help us to increase renewable energy across all sectors.”
In 2015, 9.4% of the state’s energy was produced from renewables. The bill still has to pass the state house and senate but, 25 percent of state lawmakers have already endorsed the bill.
By making Massachusetts the first state in the nation to commit to 100% renewables, the state can be a beacon of hope for other states across the country to follow.
Lawmakers will vote on the bill before July 2018.
A Kansas firm known as Advanced Alternative Energy Corp. has developed and tested a novel new clean low-carbon energy technology designed to enable Massachusetts and other states to move quickly and efficiently in the direction of 100% renewable energy.