Global Warming Solutions News

As the new home of MASSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Massachusetts can be contacted regarding this news release. 

Grade Drops From Last Year; Progress Slows in Massachusetts

BOSTON - A “Report Card” released today by a coalition of environmental advocates in the United States and Canada has given Massachusetts a grade of C+ for its actions to reduce global warming pollution in the region. The C+ represents a drop from last year’s grade of B-, and is attributable to Governor Romney’s lack of action since releasing his Climate Protection Plan last year.

“Governor Romney took an important first step in releasing the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan last year,” said Jed Thorp, Energy Organizer for Clean Water Action, which helped grade Massachusetts for the report card. “However, when you look at what has actually happened since the Plan’s release to reduce global warming pollution from the biggest sources - such as power plants, cars and tucks - progress in Massachusetts has been quite slow.”

The 2005 Report Card on Climate Change Action was written to gauge the progress of individual states and provinces in meeting the goals of the New England Governor’s / Eastern Canadian Premiers’ Climate Change Action Plan of 2001. In Massachusetts, the report card is also an assessment of Governor Romney’s implementation of his 2004 Climate Protection Plan.

Recognizing the impacts of climate change on the region’s environment, economy and public health, in May of 2004 Governor Romney committed the state to the following goals:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75-85% in the long-term.

"Gov. Romney could easily improve his grade by capping power plant global warming pollution and by finally acting to limit the heat-trapping pollution from cars and trucks," said Frank Gorke, Energy Advocate with MASSPIRG. "He's already promised to do both, now it's a simple question of getting the job done."

The Report Card released today highlights those areas in which Massachusetts has made progress since 2001, and those areas in which much more work is needed. Highlights of Massachusetts' progress include several “lead by example” measures such as requiring new state office equipment to be EnergyStar compliant, completing a new state contract for hybrid vehicles, and transferring all of the MBTA’s diesel vehicles to ultra-low sulfur or compact natural gas.

However, the state will need to take additional steps to hit the goals that it has set, including:
- Finalizing the state rules to reduce carbon dioxide pollution from the “Filthy Five” power plants, as well as pressing for a strong model rule in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI);
- Developing a clear plan to address the growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) and improving the public transit infrastructure to reverse the declining ridership rend; and
- Removing barriers to the development of clean, renewable energy sources by requiring long-term purchase contracts to provide financial stability for renewable power developers.

“Greenhouse gas pollution from our cars continues to increase year after year, making it critical that the Romney Administration, and all levels of government, get serious about clean, efficient and climate friendly transportation.” Said Seth Kaplan, the Director of the Clean Energy and Climate Change Program of the Conservation Law Foundation, adding, “We hear a lot of talk from the Administration about transit and they have even offered plans for building some new rail lines but the time has come to move beyond words and into action by building long-delayed transit projects – offering our citizens choices that meet their needs while protecting the planet.”

"As evidence mounts of the dire impacts from climate disruption worldwide, and in Massachusetts on our shorelines and weather patterns, it is essential that the state government move more rapidly to uphold the commitments it has made to reducing greenhouse gases," said Marc Breslow, Director of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network."

"In order to send a clear and strong signal that we believe that the Commonwealth's innovative companies and investors are up to the task of implementing clean energy solutions, Governor Romney must follow through on his commitment to enact requirements for reductions in power plant emissions,” said Michelle Manion with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

The Report Card comes just days before the region’s Governors and Premiers will meet in Newfoundland and discuss their progress in meeting the goals of the 2001 Climate Change Action Plan. High grades in the report card went to Connecticut in the U.S., which received a B, and Prince Edward Island in Canada, which received a B+. Low scores in the region went to New Hampshire and Nova Scotia, who each received grades of “C-.”

The full Report Card can be viewed at: www.newenglandclimate.org