March 29th Information &
Resource Update
Major Climate Legislation Signed Into Law

On Friday, the Governor signed into law An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, major climate legislation initially passed by the Legislature at the end of its previous session. The Governor had vetoed the original legislation, which was quickly passed again by both the House and Senate in their current sessions. After modest technical changes, the bill is now law. 

The omnibus legislation overhauls the state’s climate laws, requires the reduction greenhouse gas emissions, aims to advance the clean energy industry, and seeks to serve environmental justice communities. The final legislation:

  • Sets a statewide net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and mandates emissions limits every five years, as well as sub-limits for transportation, buildings, and other sectors of the economy.

  • Establishes a municipal opt-in specialized stretch energy code which includes a definition of “net-zero building” and net-zero building performance standards.

  • Provides solar incentives for businesses by exempting them from the net metering cap to allow them to install solar systems on their premises to help them offset their electricity use and save money.

  • Requires an additional 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind, increasing the total authorization to 5,600 megawatts in the Commonwealth.

  • Directs the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to balance priorities going forward: system safety, system security, reliability, affordability, equity, and, significantly, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Sets appliance energy efficiency standards for a variety of common appliances including plumbing, faucets, computers, and commercial appliances.

  • Adopts several measures aimed at improving gas pipeline safety, including increased fines for safety violations, provisions related to training and certifying utility contractors, and setting interim targets for companies to reduce leak rates.

  • Requires utilities to include an explicit value for greenhouse gas reductions when they calculate the cost-effectiveness of an offering of MassSave.

  • Increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 3 per cent each year from 2025–2029, resulting in 40 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

  • Sets benchmarks for the adoption of clean energy technologies including electric vehicles, charging stations, solar technology, energy storage, heat pumps and anaerobic digestors.

  • Establishes $12 million in annual funding for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to create a pathway to the clean energy industry for environmental justice populations, minority-owned and women-owned businesses, and fossil fuel workers.

  • Creates a first-time greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants that requires them to purchase 50 percent non-emitting electricity by 2030, 75 percent by 2040 and “net zero” by 2050.

  • Prioritizes equitable access to the state’s solar programs by low-income communities.

  • Codifies environmental justice provisions into Massachusetts law, defining environmental justice populations and providing new tools and protections for affected neighborhoods.

  • A national first, this legislation factors the "carbon sequestration" capacity of Massachusetts' natural and working lands directly into emissions reduction plans.
Transportation Committee Meeting this Wednesday with
U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss

The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership invites you to join us for a discussion with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts’ Fourth Congressional District. Serving his first term, Congressman Auchincloss has been assigned to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he serves on the Highways & Transit; Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation; and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittees.

This event will take place virtually via Zoom this Wednesday, March 31st, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Participation is open to all interested persons, with advance registration. Click here to register for the meeting.

Congressman Auchincloss represents all or portions of 34 Massachusetts cities and towns, including the 495/MetroWest Partnership communities of Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham. As Congress forges ahead on a significant infrastructure package and invites Members to request transportation and infrastructure “earmarks” for the first time in a decade, Congressman Auchincloss specifically requests your input on priority projects for your communities.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership’s Transportation Committee focuses on regional mobility and enhancing transportation options in the region, addressing areas such as municipal roads and bridges, highway infrastructure, traffic congestion, commuter rail, regional transportation authorities, transit modernization and long-term visioning, interagency coordination, workforce transportation, complete streets projects, and transportation policy.
MAPC to Host Information Session on EDA Grant Opportunities

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is working with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to assist applicants to EDA’s various grant programs. As part of that assistance, MAPC is hosting an information session on April 1st at 2:00 PM.

During the session, presenters will review various EDA grants available, as well as the application process. The presentation will include insights from previous EDA grant recipients about their recent projects. Funded projects could include planning and implementation projects that focus on economic development strategies, public facilities and infrastructure, and economic recovery. Successful applications must match MAPC's and EDA's funding priorities. 

The information session is open to any potentially interested applicant. Click here to register for the session. 
Upcoming and Recent Partnership Events

Upcoming Events

All Partnership events and committee meetings are being held virtually, via Zoom, at present. Committee meetings are open to all interested persons with advance registration.

  • Water Resources Committee Meeting: Tuesday, March 30th at 8:30 AM. The Water Resources Committee will host a presentation from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the MWRA Advisory Board on Tuesday, March 30th at 8:30 AM. The presentation will focus on MWRA’s activities and services in the Partnership’s service region, and will be followed by a Q&A. Click here to register for the meeting.

  • Transportation Committee Meeting: Wednesday, March 31st at 8:30 AM. The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership invites you to join us for a discussion with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts’ Fourth Congressional District on Wednesday, March 31st at 8:30 AM. Serving his first term, Congressman Auchincloss has been assigned to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. As Congress forges ahead on a significant infrastructure package and invites Members to request transportation and infrastructure “earmarks” for the first time in a decade, Congressman Auchincloss specifically requests your input on priority projects for your communities. Click here to register for the meeting.  

Recent Events

  • Housing Committee Meeting: Thursday, March 25th. The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted its first session last week. Click here to view a recording of the session. We hosted two presentations, each followed by a Question and Answer period: Amy Dain, Consultant, Dain Research, and author of The State of Zoning for Multi-Family Housing in Greater Boston, presented on the state of multi-family housing in the region and potential strategies going forward. Chris Kluchman, Deputy Director of the Community Services Division at DHCD, presented an overview of the state’s new Housing Choice legislation and its implementation. Chris Kluchman's presentation can be downloaded via this link.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the Partnership can be of any assistance to you:
Jason Palitsch, Executive Director
(774) 760-0495 x105

Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our region.