Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker took the next step in the state’s efforts to meet emissions targets by issuing proposed reductions from the natural gas, transportation and electricity generation industries. The Global Warming Solutions Act requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 1990 emissions levels by 2020. As of 2013, the state had reduced emissions by nearly 20 percent. The package of new regulations aims to achieve an additional seven percent reduction by 2020.
“With these proposed regulations, the Commonwealth is ensuring that we both meet the rigorous emission reductions limits established in the Global Warming Solutions Act and continue to protect public health and safety, infrastructure, communities, small businesses, and our state’s abundant natural resources from the effects of climate change,” Baker said in a statement.
There will be a set of public hearings and a public comment period with the final targets expected in August 2017.