Massachusetts Democrats ‘Must Reevaluate’ Climate Change Goals

Elections have consequences, and for some Democrats in the Massachusetts Legislature, Donald Trump's return to the White House may mean abandoning or reworking some climate change mandates and initiatives.

State House News Service reported that Braintree Representative Mark Cusack, who heads the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, conceded as much during a recent House debate.

"While we have passed major climate legislation the past few sessions, we are in the process of reviewing all of our climate and emission mandates, goals, and plans," Cusack said.

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Cusack and other lawmakers who have championed climate-related policies and legislation are concerned that new Trump Administration policies might make it impossible to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50 percent compared to 1990 baselines by 2030, by at least 75 percent by 2040 and by at least 85 percent by 2050, while attempting to reach net-zero emissions around that time.

The Trump Administration may withhold federal funding for some so-called "Green New Deal" initiatives favored by the Biden Administration. The administration has also called for a pause on permitting new offshore wind development.

SHNS reported that Cusack told his colleagues, "We must reevaluate and try to figure out the new reality of meeting our climate change goals without a federal partner and without our planned energy diversification."

On day one of his second administration, Trump signed an executive order for the "temporary withdrawal of all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing and review of the federal government's leasing and permitting practices for wind projects."

The order cites, "the need to foster an energy economy capable of meeting the country's growing demand for reliable energy, the importance of marine life, impacts on ocean currents and wind patterns, effects on energy costs on Americans – especially those who can least afford it – and to ensure the United States is able to maintain a robust fishing industry for future generations and provide low-cost energy to its citizens."

Trump has signed a separate executive order that could lead to fewer restrictions for the local fishing industry.