Quarterly Policy Updates

On November 14, the state legislature passed the final omnibus climate and energy bill (S.2967, An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers), and the Governor signed it into law on November 21. The new law prioritizes clean energy and works to decarbonize our most polluting sectors, including provisions to: Accelerate the move away from...

In the first legislative session since Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, An Act conserving open space in the Commonwealth (commonly referred to as the Public Lands Preservation Act, or 'PLPA'), took effect, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) reports that 22 bills approving conversion of protected open space were signed into law...

On June 10, the Healey-Driscoll administration released a comprehensive work plan outlining strategies to protect and manage forest lands while prioritizing efforts to address climate change impacts. The plan presents a detailed timeline for acting on recommendations of EEA’s Climate Forestry Committee that were released earlier this year...

MLTC continues to field many questions and concerns from member land trusts about delays in review and approval of Conservation Restrictions (CRs) by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). We have been advocating and strategizing with senior leaders at EEA on this matter for over two years...

On December 8, EEA is expected to announce initial recommendations and actions under its Forests as
Climate Solutions initiative, which was launched by the Governor on June 8 as a strategy to ensure
Massachusetts forests are managed in ways that advance the state’s aggressive climate goals. Plans are
expected to…

On September 21, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order that will direct the state to create new
biodiversity conservation goals for 2030, 2040 and 2050, and strategies to meet them. She will also sign an Executive Order to immediately ban purchase of single-use plastic water bottles by state agencies. Read…

Since our last update, the Healey Administration has filled additional key environmental leadership positions with appointments of former Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo as Commissioner of DCR, Bonnie Heiple as Commissioner of DEP, and Tom O’Shea as Commissioner of DFG. (Commissioner O’Shea comes to the Administration from The Trustees, where he…

The Healey Administration has already indicated a strong commitment to climate action, including by naming Mellissa Hoffer as Climate Chief, a new cabinet position. Other appointments include Rebecca Tepper as Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Stephanie Cooper as EEA’s Undersecretary for Environment, and Ashley Randle as Commissioner of…

While the legislature’s formal session ended on July 31, 2022, lawmakers continued to meet during “informal” sessions this fall. It’s harder to pass bills during informal session because if just one legislator opposes, a bill cannot pass. This year we helped pass not one, but two major pieces of legislation…

What do you mean “sort of?” Despite the Legislature “finishing” its two-year session on July 31st, we may still have a chance to get some bills passed if legislators can reach consensus. The Legislature meets year-round in two phases: “formal” sessions, during which contentious issues can be debated for the...