Bill > S1748

This bill requires the timely adoption of greenhouse gas emission limits for the year 2030, building upon existing law (Chapter 21N of the General Laws) that mandates the establishment of emission reduction targets. Specifically, it amends Section 4 of Chapter 21N to ensure that the Secretary adopts a 2030 statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit, which must be between 35% and 60% below 1990 levels, along with a plan for achieving this reduction. The bill also makes conforming changes to ensure that both the 2020 and 2030 emission limits and their associated implementation plans are addressed. Furthermore, it sets deadlines for the promulgation of regulations related to these limits, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to issue regulations by January 1, 2016, which will take effect on January 1, 2017, and mandates that the 2030 greenhouse gas initiative be adopted by January 1, 2021. The context for these changes is to ensure that the state has clear and timely targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.