Our nation can and must go 100% renewable

Media Contacts
Ben Hellerstein

Former State Director, Environment Massachusetts

Environment Massachusetts

Boston – Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) introduced a Congressional resolution yesterday calling on the federal government to create a Green New Deal.

Environment Massachusetts State Director Ben Hellerstein issued the following statement:

“We all deserve clean air, healthy communities, and a livable planet. That means moving to 100 percent renewable energy, from sources like the sun and the wind, as quickly as possible. We applaud Senator Markey and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez for boldly calling for a transition to clean, renewable energy across the nation.

“In Massachusetts, 113 state legislators have endorsed a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy for electricity, heating, and transportation. Massachusetts has long led the nation in reducing harmful pollution, addressing climate change, and expanding renewable energy. Our Commonwealth’s leadership is needed now more than ever.

“We look forward to working with state officials to pass legislation for 100 percent renewable energy this session. In doing so, we can protect Massachusetts’ air and water, inspire other states to follow in our footsteps, and lay the groundwork for the climate policy we need on the federal level.”

So far, 113 state legislators have cosponsored An Act repowering Massachusetts with 100 percent renewable energy (HD.3092), filed by Representative Marjorie Decker and Representative Sean Garballey, or An Act transitioning Massachusetts to 100 per cent renewable energy (SD.1625), filed by Senator Jamie Eldridge.

The 100% Renewable Energy Act, as these bills are called, would transition Massachusetts to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 and power other energy uses, like heating and transportation, with 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

The cosponsors include 89 representatives and 24 senators, more than half of the members of each chamber.

To date, 45 environmental, civic, and business organizations in Massachusetts have endorsed a statewide commitment to 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. The Mass Power Forward coalition has included these bills among its top priorities for the 2019-2020 legislative session.