Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 DiDomenico’s Environmental Justice bill included in landmark climate change legislation B OSTON – On January 4, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted breakthrough climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions and creates clean energy jobs. The bill, An Act creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy (S.2995), includes major changes to the way the Commonwealth approaches statewide climate change policy and historic Environmental Justice (EJ) language taken from legislation sponsored by State Senator Sal DiDomenico. Senator DiDomenico was a lead sponsor of the Environmental Justice Act, and he worked with his colleagues Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representatives Liz Miranda, Adrian Madaro and Michelle DuBois on this important issue throughout the last session. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature or other response. “I am absolutely thrilled that these key environmental justice provisions were included in this historic climate change SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 1039 BROADWAY, REVERE 781-289-6466 781-289-6466 WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2013 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 Remote Start, Third Row Seating, Premium Sound System, One Owner, Only 73K Miles, One Owner, Warranty! PRICE REDUCED! $10,500 Easy Financing Available! 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Sport Package, 4X4, Leather Interior, Loaded, One Owner, 105K Miles, Excellent Condition, Warranty! PRICE REDUCED! $10,500 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! Everett Police K9 Xando retired on January 11 after 10 years of service in detecting narcotics. Xando is shown with Sergeant Stephen Panzini and Police Chief Steven Mazzie. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Police Department) bill,” said Senator DiDomenico. “Time and again, cities like Chelsea and Everett have been disproportionately impacted by our long history of short-sighted environmental policies, and we have taken on this toxic burden for our entire region. Moving forward, this legislation ensures that EJ communities have a seat at the table and a voice when decisions are made that impact their homes and their health. There are many landmark components of this bill, but this provision in particular is so important for our community. I am very grateful to the incredible EJ organizations, like Chelsea’s own GreenRoots for their fi erce advocacy on this; their tireless work has yielded a big win for EJ communities across the Commonwealth.” Critically, for the fi rst time, this bill codifi es EJ into Massachusetts law, defi ning EJ populations and providing new tools and protections for affected neighborhoods. It also requires each climate roadmap plan to improve or mitigate economic, environmental and public health impacts on EJ populations and lowand moderate-income individuals. The legislation also includes, among other items, the following provisions: • Sets a statewide net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and mandates emissions limits every five years, as well as limits for specifi c sectors of the economy, including transportation and K9 Xando retires from Everett Police Dept. tractors • Increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 3 percent each year from 2025– 2029, resulting in 40 percent renewable energy by 2030 • Establishes an opt-in municipal net-zero energy stretch code, including a defi nition of “net-zero building.” • Prioritizes equitable access Sal DiDomenico State Senator buildings • Requires an additional 2,400 megawatts of off shore wind, building on previous legislation action, and increases the total to 5,600 megawatts in the Commonwealth • Directs the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), regulator of the state’s electric and natural gas utilities, to balance priorities going forward: system safety, system security, reliability, aff ordability, equity and, signifi cantly, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions • Sets appliance energy effi - ciency standards for a variety of common appliances, including plumbing, faucets, computers and commercial appliances • Adopts several measures aimed at improving gas pipeline safety, including increased fi nes for safety violations and regulations related to training and certifying utility conto the state’s solar programs by low-income communities • Establishes $12 million in annual funding for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in order to create a pathway to the clean energy industry for EJ populations and minority- and women-owned businesses • Provides solar incentives for businesses by exempting them from the net metering cap to allow them to install solar systems on their premises to help off set their electricity use and save money • Requires utilities to include an explicit value for greenhouse gas reductions when they calculate the cost-eff ectiveness of an off ering of Mass Save • Creates a fi rst-time greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants that requires them to purchase 50 percent non-emitting electricity by 2030 and “net-zero” by 2050 • Sets benchmarks for the adoption of clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, charging stations, solar technology, energy storage, heat pumps and anaerobic digestors.
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