Experts say 100% renewable energy is feasible & necessary for Massachusetts

A group of more than 30 academics, industry leaders, and other experts sent a letter to legislators today advocating for a statewide commitment to 100% renewable sources of energy.

The letter asks the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy to advance the 100% Renewable Energy Act (H.2836), filed by Rep. Marjorie Decker and Rep. Sean Garballey, which will transition Massachusetts to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2045.

In the letter, the experts say that a transition to 100% renewable energy for electricity, heating, and transportation is feasible, and point to 13 states and territories and more than 170 U.S. cities and counties that have made 100% renewable or clean energy commitments so far.

The experts also say that a “net zero emissions by 2050” target, as proposed in other pending legislation, would be inadequate. Such a target would represent little improvement over the state’s existing goals and would allow the continued use of polluting fossil fuels, harming public health and risking devastating climate change impacts.

A broad coalition supports the Decker/Garballey 100% Renewable Energy Act, including:

• More than 50 environmental and civic organizations
• More than 150 city and town officials
• Health professionals
• Clean energy industry leaders
• Faith leaders
• Youth activists
• Mass Power Forward, a statewide coalition of environmental and environmental justice organizations

A majority of members of the House of Representatives have endorsed the Decker/Garballey 100% Renewable Energy Act. The legislative session is scheduled to end on July 31.

Read the letter here.

Photo: Senu Sirnivas / NREL