Where candidates for governor stand on the environment

The global fight against climate change is failing. With carbon emissions at an all-time high, RisingRecent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC). outlineHuman systems are pushed to their limits call forImmediate reductions in fossil fuel consumption The Biden administration is making efforts to cut fossil fuel consumption as gas prices rise. Push forIncreased oil drilling. Despite this, the administration’s climate goals are still dead in the water. Coal baronSenator Joe Manchin, United States, continues to block any climate legislation that targets the fossil fuel industry.

At the state level, Gov. Baker speaks out about climate action but his record is quite different. Baker’s administration continues to allow environmental justice populations to continue in Peabody, East Boston, and Republican leader Push for weaker emission reduction targets in the state’s climate “roadmap” last year.

Baker, who was facing a primary against a Trump-endorsed candidate, announced in December that he would not run for a third term. Baker’s Department of Energy Resources RejectedTo allow towns to ban fossil fuels from new buildings under the new energy code created by the law, while Department of Public Utilities is Letting the gas industry operateEach state can create its own decarbonization regulations. The state is also Far behindIt continues to work towards its goals in electric heating subsidizeHeating systems for oil and gas.

Sonia Chang-Diaz (Democratic state senator for 2nd Suffolk District) has the most ambitious climate policy plan yet. She has described a Massachusetts gets a green new dealThe plan calls for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. It also proposes expanded and fare-free public transportation, no new fossil fuel infrastructure, and an increase in the number of people who use it. Standard for emission reductionlarge buildings, and a reorganization of the DPU in order to focus on the transition towards a clean energy economy.

Chang-Diaz explained to me that passing a Green New Deal for Massachusetts is more than just about avoiding the crises posed by climate change and extreme weather events. However, those are important enough to drive us to action. “But there is also tremendous economic opportunity for Massachusetts. We have the potential to create literally thousands of family-sustaining, well-paid jobs.”

The senator also highlighted the state’s. There is huge potentialOffshore wind is a key asset to achieving carbon-free electricity in 2030.

Chang-Diaz stated in an interview that technology and public opinion are not what limit us. “Our greatest obstacle is a lack in urgency and the political will to do things sometimes that are not comfortable. To forge a new state’s future, we must resist the fossil fuel industry’s interests.

Since the Majority of fundingThe MBTA is funded by the state. A political ally in the role of governor would be a huge boost to the goal of fare-free public transport for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Chang-Diaz stated, “I promise that in my very first budget as governor, we’ll include funding to go fare free on all MBTA buses” and Regional Transit Authority buses.” “And then, I will work to identify revenue streams to be in a position to go fare free on the rest of our mass-transit systems during my governorship.”

The Chang-Diaz campaign is trying to harness the same political energy which helped Ed Markey OvercomingDue to a double-digit polling deficit in 2020 against Kennedy’s political juggernaut, many of the major climate organizations that supported Markey, Sunrise Movement and 350 Mass Action, have not yet endorsed a candidate for the race. However, Chang-Diaz has been supported by several left-leaning organizations, including Progressive Massachusetts and Our Revolution.

Attorney General Maura HEADLEY is the Democratic favorite. She has Easily outraisedAll other candidates with $4.7 million cash on hand. Chang-Diaz Campaign has less than $400,000 of this war money.

Healey has not released any climate policy proposals, and she declined to answer questions. This article is therefore unclear about her position on many of the most important environmental issues in the race. Her team sent a statement emphasizing the importance climate action. We’ll do this in a way which creates well-paid jobs and ensure that labor is represented at the table. We need to make major investments in climate resilience, electrify, expand transportation, as well as convert millions of homes and business to clean electricity.

In a StatementStreetsblogMASS reported that Healey was not open to the idea of fare-free transit. She stated that she would be discussing all options, including fare-free transit with community leaders and experts.

Healey, as Attorney General, has been an Suitability for ongoing useExxon Mobil was accused of deceiving customers about the climate risks associated with fossil fuels. She has, however, We sided with the utilities developersBrookline twice denied Brookline’s attempts ban fossil fuels in new buildings. It claimed that they were in conflict with state law.

Healey and Chang-Diaz will meet in a ForumWBUR and Massachusetts’ Environmental League hosted a discussion on energy and environment on April 27th.

Geoff Diehl (ex-state lawmaker) seems well placed to win the nomination on the Republican side. EndorsedDonald Trump, an environmental boogieman himself, named Diehl as his favorite. Honorary co-chairOf Trump’s 2016 campaign for Massachusetts, and Corey Lewandowski, a disgraced Trump advisor was hiredHis campaign. He will face Chris Daughty (Wrentham businessman), who has almost entirely self-financedHis campaign was funded by $500,000 of his personal cash.

I spoke to Diehl about his views on energy and environmental issues. He assured me that he believed in climate change. He strongly opposes the rapid transition from fossil fuels. IPCC scientists.

Diehl stated, “Of course humans impact the climate.” “While we can do a lot to reduce our carbon footprint, it is impossible to make renewable energy fully sustainable if renewables aren’t able to fill the gap.”

Trump like Diehl, Diehl is a proponent a all-of-the above energy policy.

“I believe it would be great to find the happy medium of all energies and ensure that we have a healthy environment,” Diehl stated. “But to promise something magical and in an unrealistic timeframe is kinda like making promises that you can’t keep.”

Diehl stated that it was up to the state to eventually eliminate fossil fuels. I don’t necessarily know if it’s possible to completely remove fossil fuels from this mix.

Diehl has asked for a temporary suspension in the state’s motor vehicle excise tax and gas taxes. Similar proposals were made. Recently, killedThe House. He opposes the waiver of fares for public transportation. Diehl stated, “I believe in public transport, but I also believe in users having skins in the game.”

He also criticized Chang-Diaz for allegedly calling for the end of fossil fuels by 2030. Her platform proposes 100% renewable electricity for 2030. It does not include emissions sectors such transportation, heating, or industry.

The Democratic and Republican state Conventions are scheduled for early June or late May, with Sept. 6 primaries, and a Nov.8 general election. It remains to be seen whether climate and the environment will become wedge issues in the Democratic primary. However, they are well-positioned to play a major role in the general election.

The state continues to fight environmental issues. biomass subsidiesThe future of gas, heat pumps, heat pumps, Weymouth compressor station and the Peabody gas plants, the Bay State’s next Governor will have significant power to protect residents’ prosperity and health from climate change and pollution. The State House will be governed by the voters and the social movements who put them there.

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