Letter from the Secretary
Secretary Rebecca Tepper and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll Fishing at Salem Willows Pier Ribbon Cutting Celebration in Dec 2024
"On behalf of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, I am honored to share with you our 2024 End of Year Report. This is a compilation of our collective efforts over the last year to build a stronger, healthier, cleaner Massachusetts. As you will see in the pages ahead, we do this work with a shared focus, drive, passion, and urgency.
This year, Governor Healey signed landmark climate legislation — a significant milestone on our state’s path to a clean energy future. This new law codifies the recommendations of our Commission on Clean Infrastructure Siting and Permitting, a shining example of what can be achieved when stakeholders representing differing viewpoints come together and work hard to reach consensus. We stand ready to implement this law to ensure that its ambitious objectives are met.
Since the devasting floods in 2023, EEA has worked with urgency to arm our communities with the best defense against unpredictable, intense weather events. This year, our administration awarded over $75 million in grants to fund inland and coastal municipal climate resilience projects, repair or remove dams and seawalls, and replace undersized culverts — the largest ever commitment to these resilience programs.
We also worked to ensure that all our residents have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Massachusetts by expanding our inclusive and accessible outdoor programming, providing grants for urban forests, and convening the first-ever Massachusetts Agriculture Youth Council. And, to advance our mission to safeguard our prized, nature-rich state for the next generation, we worked to establish nation-leading biodiversity goals, convened a new land conservation coalition, and completed the 23-mile Blackstone Greenway Trail.
With the launch of our first Environmental Justice Strategy, we continued to advance environmental justice and equity in our programs, policies and decision-making. This included launching the First People, First Stewards Partnership to build relationships with Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations.
I want to thank the dedicated team of public servants who are on this journey with me as we advance our mission every day. I am proud of our work at EEA and the experienced professionals who make it possible."- Secretary Rebecca Tepper
