|
What is MassDEP Doing?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MassDEP is taking a number of steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize climate change impacts:
 Implementing the Global Warming Solutions Act
In August 2008, Gov. Deval Patrick signed the Global Warming Solutions Act. The Act puts Massachusetts in a leadership position in the global effort to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming by setting in motion a process that will eventually reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 10 percent and 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. As an important first step, the Act requires MassDEP to promulgate mandatory greenhouse gas reporting regulations.
Reducing Emissions from Transportation
As part of its core mission, MassDEP is working to cut greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles and fuels through its Low-Emission Vehicle and Rideshare programs, the Massachusetts Vehicle Check program, stepped-up enforcement of state vehicle idling restrictions, and efforts to promote transit-oriented development.
Reducing Emissions from Stationary Sources
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to adopt greenhouse gas emissions standards for power plants. The MassDEP rules target the six highest-emitting facilities in the state and may be a regulatory model as the Commonwealth re-joins the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In a related move, the agency has established a program to provide incentives for emissions reductions by granting Greenhouse Gas Credits to qualifying projects that reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. MassDEP also provides grants to towns and cities for their efforts to reduce waste and save energy, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize climate change impacts. 
Encouraging the Development of Renewable Energy
MassDEP is streamlining regulations, accelerating permit reviews, and creating other incentives for projects that incorporate renewable energy, combined heat and power, or energy reliability. The MassDEP Energy Team is a flexible, multi-disciplinary group of experts who help expedite project approvals while ensuring that proponents protect the environment.
Supporting Smart Growth
Through a range of activities, MassDEP is encouraging growth in already-developed areas and fostering transit-oriented development to reduce the frequency and distance of vehicle trips, thereby helping reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from automobiles. MassDEP Smart Growth initiatives include financial, regulatory and technical incentives for Brownfields development, and urban redevelopment incentives in the State Revolving Fund (SRF), a low-interest loan program for municipal and regional wastewater and drinking water projects.
Seeking Regional and National Solutions
Through the Climate Registry, MassDEP is working with other U.S. states, Canadian provinces, Mexican states and native American tribes to create consistent standards and a common system for calculating, verifying, reporting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
MassDEP is also working to use resources and energy more efficiently, and reduce its own carbon footprint. Under a state pilot program, the agency will soon purchase all of its electricity from renewable sources. In 2006, MassDEP installed energy-efficient lighting at its Boston and Wilmington offices, and bought hybrid vehicles as planned replacements for its emergency response vans.
The agency used recycled building materials and green building techniques at its re-opened Northeast Regional Office in Wilmington and new Cape Cod satellite office in Hyannis, and will pursue the highest possible Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its William S. Wall Experiment Station in Lawrence, which is being renovated and expanded over the next two years.
For additional information about what MassDEP is doing about greenhouse gases and climate change, contact Bill Lamkin at 978-694-3294 or William.Lamkin@state.ma.us.
Back to Greenhouse Gases & Climate Change index | 
priorities & results
Vacation closer to home. Air travel is growing in popularity and jet fuel combustion is a major contributor to climate change. Carbon dioxide savings from not taking one round-trip flight of 1,600 miles: 720 pounds.
