Patrick Administration Announces Public Forums on
Global Warming Solutions Act

This May, state environmental and energy officials will host four public forums to discuss proposals relating to greenhouse gas regulations under the Global Warming Solutions Act signed into law by Governor Patrick in August 2008.

The four meetings are set for Springfield, Wilmington, and Boston. 

The Act requires an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050, with a 2020 target to be set between 10 and 25 percent below 1990 levels. With the passage of the law, Massachusetts became one of the first states in the nation to move forward with a comprehensive regulatory program to address climate change. 

Massachusetts has already promulgated greenhouse gas reporting regulations under the Act; with 2009 emissions the first year to be reported. The Act requires the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) develop a statewide 1990 greenhouse gas emission baseline and a projection of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. These estimates will be used in determining the 2020 and 2050 target reductions. To view the proposed 1990 baseline and 2020 projection, visit www.mass.gov/dep/air/climate/index.htm . 

MassDEP, EEA and DOER plan to host four information sessions in May to present and discuss this proposal. 

MONDAY - May 11, 2009:  6-8 p.m.
Springfield Public Library, Main Branch                         
220 State St., Springfield, MA 01103                              

THURSDAY - May 14, 2009:  6-8 p.m.
Northeast Regional Office MassDEP
205B Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887

MONDAY - May 18, 2009 at 1-3 p.m.** see note below
100 Cambridge Street - Rooms 2B and 2C
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
**The public meeting in Boston will also focus on technical content and calculations that support the proposed 1990 baseline and the 2020 projection.

MassDEP will also hold one public hearing on the proposed statewide greenhouse gas emissions level, the 1990 baseline and 2020 projection.  This public hearing will be conducted under the provisions of M.G.L. chapter 30A.  The public hearing will be held:

TUESDAY - May 19, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Hurley Building - Minihan Hall
19 Staniford Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Written public comments can be submitted now and until midnight June 1, 2009 to climate.stategies@state.ma.us or postmarked by the same date and mailed to MassDEP, Bureau of Waste Prevention, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108. 

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