Massachusetts State House. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
November 12, 2024 (Boston, MA) – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued its response to a petition by Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) calling for MassDEP to take a stronger stance on climate policy. In its response, the Department said it is doing enough to comply with the state’s climate law and therefore holds no further responsibility to ramp up action.
“After the recent election of a vocal antagonist to climate policy, it’s more crucial than ever for states across the country to step up and maintain momentum,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of CLF Massachusetts. “The Department sticking to business-as-usual in the face of this election, extreme weather events like hurricanes Helene and Milton, and worsening floods right here in Massachusetts, is disappointing and lets down the families and businesses who are already feeling the impacts of climate change. We need our decision-makers to prioritize bold solutions that cut carbon pollution and protect our health and future.”
The Department held a public hearing in October on CLF’s petition to MassDEP, which offered a roadmap of policies and standards to support state leaders in meeting the Commonwealth’s climate and environmental justice laws. As of now, Massachusetts is not on track to meet these laws, which means it’s lagging on cutting polluting emissions that threaten our health, fuel extreme weather, and overheat the planet.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
###