Senate Passes Bill to Establish Long-term Climate Change Adaptation Plan

The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill to establish a long-term, comprehensive adaptation management action plan to address the consequences of climate change in the Commonwealth announced Senator Karen E. Spilka, a Democrat from Ashland, who represents Framingham

Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton), the bill would establish an adaptation management action plan through a collaboration led by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

The bill passed last week.

The plan would codify for the Baker Administration and all future administrations the goals, priorities and principles for resiliency, preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the Commonwealth’s built and natural infrastructure, based on data around existing and projected climate change impacts including temperature changes, drought, inland flooding and sea level rise.

“Massachusetts has historically been at the forefront of sustainability and climate change resiliency,” said Sen. Spilka, in a statement. “A comprehensive plan to proactively address the consequences of climate change protects our infrastructure, our environmental resources, our energy supply and our economy as a whole.”

Through the legislation, a comprehensive adaptation management action plan advisory committee would be established through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The committee would be charged with producing a report that documents the preparedness and vulnerabilities in the Commonwealth’s emergency response, energy, transportation, communications, health and other systems. The group would also put forth a proposal that establishes and commits to sound management practices while compiling data on existing and projected sea-level rise using the best available science.

The legislation also establishes a regional, comprehensive climate change adaptation management plan grant program to aid in the development of regional adaptation plans.

The bill also creates a coastal buy-back program authorizing the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to acquire, by voluntary purchase, property abutting areas subject to tides or barrier beaches or located in velocity zones of flood plain areas that contain structures repeatedly damaged by severe weather.

During debate, the Senate adopted an amendment sponsored by Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) the chair of the Joint Committee of Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy Committee, and co-sponsored by Senators Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston) and Pacheco, that aligns the net-metering cap with the 1600-MW goal of installed solar capacity and directs the Department of Energy Resources to create a new solar incentive after the goal is hit.

Currently, solar growth has been stalled in some regions of the Commonwealth after public and private caps were hit in March. This amendment sets up a long-term framework while relieving the immediate pressure and allowing for continued development prior to the expiration of the Federal Solar Tax credit on December 31, 2016. Notably, the amendment seeks to ensure the future growth of community shared solar and virtual metering while grandfathering existing projects. Promoting continued solar growth is essential as it helps residents and municipalities lower their electricity costs while helping the Commonwealth reach the goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions established in the Global Warming Solutions Act.

“We’re extremely pleased with the Senate passage of the adaptation bill and Senator Pacheco’s consistent leadership on global warming issues,” said Jack Clarke, director of public policy & government relations for Mass Audubon.

The plan would go into effect in 2018, with an update every 10 years.

“As we approach the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we still need to take action to reduce risks from extreme weather with the potential to impact our safety, our natural resources and our communities,” said Wayne Klockner, director of the Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. “The Senate today showed its leadership in moving the CAMP bill to help the Commonwealth take the next steps in creating a more resilient future.”