Massachusetts should be the next state to commit to 100% clean energy, advocates say

BOSTON – Environmental, health, and business leaders joined elected officials at the State House Tuesday to announce a renewed push for legislation that would transition Massachusetts to 100% clean energy, from sources like the sun and the wind.

The 100% Clean Act (H.3689), filed by state Reps. Marjorie Decker and Sean Garballey, would power Massachusetts with 100% clean electricity by 2035, and transition heating and transportation to 100% clean energy by 2045. The bill would also take steps to ensure the equitable deployment of clean energy resources.

“The Massachusetts Legislature, in particular the House, made significant progress last session with An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind. I am proud that much of our bill was included in that legislation,” said state Rep. Marjorie Decker (Cambridge). “The climate emergency continues to highlight the urgency of pushing forward. I will keep working with House leadership on this to make sure that we’re moving toward important deadlines as well as accelerating our capacity to meet demand and baking in labor protections and standards for workers in this transition period.”

“This legislation is critical to the future wellbeing of every citizen in the Commonwealth,” said state Rep. Sean Garballey (Arlington). “We need to act promptly to pass strong, progressive policy change, such as requiring all utilities to provide 100% clean electricity by 2035. This is the first step to lasting change, so that we can stop our reliance on fossil fuels and ensure environmental justice on a state and local level.”

Canvassers with the advocacy organization Environment Massachusetts are knocking on doors this summer to educate the public and collect petition signatures in support of the 100% Clean Act.

“As a college student, climate change isn’t just something I learn about in the classroom — it’s something I’ll experience for the rest of my life,” said Colin McAndrew, canvasser and field manager with Environment Massachusetts. “I’m excited to go door-to-door this summer to build grassroots support for the 100% Clean Act because this is the kind of legislation we need to ensure a safe future.”

During her campaign, Gov. Maura Healey pledged to power Massachusetts with 100% clean electricity by 2030. Her campaign platform also outlined short-term actions to promote solar, wind, and energy efficiency.

In February, Minnesota became the 11th state to pass legislation committing to 100% clean electricity.

“This bill would put Massachusetts on par with its neighbors,” said Barry Reaves, vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEI/J) & workforce development for NECEC. “Rhode Island is doing 100% renewable energy by 2033. Vermont just passed a clean heating bill. New York will ban fossil fuel hookups in new construction starting in 2026. Yet the big thing is, this will stop us from making new environmental justice communities with dirty energy and put people to work building clean energy.”

“Every day, my colleagues and I see how air pollution and climate change are harming the health of our patients, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, premature birth, stroke, and a host of other health conditions,” said Dr. Adrienne Allen, senior medical director of quality, safety, and sustainability at North Shore Physicians Group. “Transitioning to 100% clean energy is a key step to protect public health.”

“The 100% Clean Act is an important step forward in ensuring a healthier, safer, more just future for the people of Massachusetts. The bill is positioned to help ensure the state’s energy system is aligned with what science says is necessary to reach critical climate goals.” said Paula García, senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “The potential benefits are significant. A recent analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists and GreenRoots showed that meeting 100% of Massachusetts’ electricity needs with renewable energy by 2035 would bring many benefits, including more than $1.7 billion in health savings, more than 45,000 additional jobs, and $13 billion in additional state gross domestic product by 2040.”

The 100% Clean Act is currently pending before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, which has not yet scheduled a hearing on the bill.

“A swift and equitable transition to 100% clean energy is the biggest step we can take right now toward the renewable future we want and need,” says Elena Weissmann, northeast regional director at Vote Solar. “Bay Staters have made it clear that we’re ready to live into our reputation as a clean energy leader and join the 11 states that have already passed 100% commitments. I urge the legislature to follow the will of their constituents and act quickly to pass H.3689.”