Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030

The Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030 (2025/2030 CECP) provides details on the actions the Commonwealth will undertake through the next decade to ensure the 2025 and 2030 emissions limits are met. The 2025/2030 CECP development is informed by the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap such that the strategies, policies, and actions outlined in the 2025/2030 CECP will put the Commonwealth on a pathway to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030

On June 30th 2022, the Secretary of the EEA released the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030. The 2025/2030 CECP represents the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ comprehensive plans to achieve aggressive emissions reduction in 2025 and 2030. The 2025/2030 CECP is rooted in the understanding that climate change poses a unique and potentially irreversible threat to the well-being of society.  It expresses the Commonwealth’s plans for 2025 and 2030 that maximize the ability to realize a 2050 future in which the heat in homes, power in vehicles, and electric grid can all operate with a minimum reliance on fossil fuels, and natural and working lands can be protected from conversion and better managed and restored to enhance carbon sequestration.  The 2025/2030 CECP exhibits the confidence that Massachusetts can help lead the clean energy transition and that doing so will mean more well-paying jobs, improved public health, reduced consumer costs, and better quality of life for all residents.   

The 2025/2030 CECP is available in English, Español, 中文, Português, Kreyòl ayisyen, and Tiếng Việt. 

2025 and 2030 Emissions Limits and Sublimits

Pursuant to the Global Warming Solutions Act, as amended in 2021 by An Act Creating A Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, the Secretary of EEA has adopted the interim 2025 statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit of 33 percent below 1990 level and the interim 2030 statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit of 50 percent below 1990 level.  The Secretary has also adopted emissions sublimits for the following sectors: Residential Heating and Cooling, Commercial & Industrial Heating and Cooling, Transportation, Natural Gas Distribution & Service, and Industrial Processes. 

The Statement of Compliance with 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Limit is available in English, Español, 中文, Português, Kreyòl ayisyen, and Tiếng Việt.

The 2025 and 2030 GHG Emissions Limit Letter of Determination is available in English, Español, 中文, Português, Kreyòl ayisyen, and Tiếng Việt.

Development of the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030

On March 26, 2021, the Governor signed into law An Act Creating A Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, which requires the EEA Secretary to set interim emissions limit and sector-specific sublimits every 5 years. The 2030 emissions limit shall be at least 50% below the 1990 baseline, the 2040 emissions limit shall be at least 75% below the 1990 level, and a 2050 emissions limit that achieves at least net zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions, provided that in no event shall the level of emissions in 2050 be higher than a level 85% below the 1990 level.  It also specifies July 1, 2022 as the deadline for the adoption of the 2025 and 2030 emissions limits and sublimits, as well as the release of a comprehensive plan to achieve those limits.  In compliance with the new law, EEA will develop and finalize the 2025/2030 CECP by the deadline.  At the same time, the Administration is continuing implementation of the strategies, policies, and actions outlined in the Interim 2030 CECP.  Meeting our aggressive interim emissions reduction targets and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 requires that we press forward with policy implementation while continuing to plan.

Public Engagement

The necessary transformations to achieve Net Zero in 2050 touch lives across the Commonwealth, and the actions in the next decade are critical to ensure a least cost, strategic, and equitable transformation. To help ensure an equitable and strategic transition towards Net Zero, EEA worked with stakeholders across the Commonwealth to ensure that development of the 2025/2030 CECP is an inclusive policy planning effort. 

EEA has been convening the GWSA Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) since 2012 as a primary public body for advising EEA on greenhouse gas reduction measures. The IAC has several Work Groups, including Climate Justice, Buildings, Transportation, Electricity, and Land Use and Nature-Based Solutions.  In 2019 and 2020, the IAC and associated Work Groups contributed policy recommendations and guiding principles towards the development of the 2030 CECP. The Climate Justice Work Group, in particular, provided a memo on February 26, 2020 and on August 7, 2020. These recommendations and principles, in addition to the policy evaluation criteria in the GWSA, were important considerations in the development of policies for the 2030 CECP. 

In addition to engagement with the IAC, EEA sought the public's feedback on the Interim 2030 CECP from January 7 to March 22, 2021. EEA reviewed all submitted comments and summarized them at the GWSA  Implementation Advisory Committee meeting on April 12, 2021. 

As part of the development and finalization process for the 2025/2030 CECP, EEA is offering additional opportunities for stakeholders and members of the public to provide comments:

• October 14 and 15, 2021: Public meetings on EEA's approach to complete the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030.  
  • Meeting information is available in multiple languages here and on www.mass.gov/gwsa-meetings. 
  • The presentation slides are available in English.
  • The recording the Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 virtual meetings is also available in Español, Português, Kreyòl, Tiếng Việt, and 粵語.
• April 14 and 15, 2022: Public hearings on the proposed interim emissions reduction targets and carbon sequestration goals for 2025 and 2030 and the proposed plan to achieve those targets and goals.  
  • Updated public hearing information is available in multiple languages here and on the GWSA meeting page.
  • Each public hearing will begin with the same presentation, and will have time for oral comments.
  • The presentation material is available in English, Español, Português, Kreyòl, Tiếng Việt, and 粵語.
  • Recordings of the public hearings are available in English (session 1, session 2, session 3), Español, Português, Kreyòl, and 粵語.

Comments on the proposals for the 2025/2030 CECP are accepted at this form or [e-mail] until April 30, 2022.

Below is a directory of public processes that inform the 2025/2030 CECP.  EEA will update this directory regularly as more information of new public processes become available.

Public Processes informing the 2025/2030 CECP

Topic	Agency/Office	Public Meeting/Comment Period	More Information
Environmental Justice Strategy in accordance with the Environmental Justice Policy (updated June 2021)	Environmental Justice	Early 2022	Office of Environmental Justice & Equity (OEJE) Sign up to get Environmental Justice updates & notices
Cumulative Impact Assessment in review of applications for certain air permits and approvals	Department of Environmental Protection	Usually the third/fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of each month	Cumulative Impact Analysis in Air Quality Permitting
Recommendations from the Commission on Clean Heat	Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs	March 1, 2022, 12:30 PM - 2:00PM or 6:00PM - 7:30PM March 24, 2022, 12:30PM - 2:00PM or 6:00PM - 7:30PM April 14, 2022, 1:00PM - 3:00PM or 6:00PM - 8:00PM	More information about the Commission on Clean Heat and their public meetings
Energy efficiency plans (Mass Save program)	Department of Energy Resources, Department of Public Utilities	The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) usually have meetings the third/fourth Wednesday of each month, with public comment opportunities	Energy Efficiency Activities of Utilities Calendar of EEAC meetings
Stretch Code and Specialized Stretch Energy Codes	Department of Energy Resources	Public comment on this Straw Proposal is accepted until March 9, 2022.  Geographically-targeted public hearings scheduled for late February/early March to receive verbal public comment.	Stretch Energy Code Development 2022 | Mass.gov Please sign up here to receive future updates on the Stretch Code.
Revisions to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS)	Department of Energy Resources	2022: date/time to be determined	Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Sign up to get updates & notices from DOER
Role of gas local distribution companies (DPU docket 20-80)	Department of Public Utilities	2021-2022	Future of Gas Information on the DPU proceeding (search for docket 20-80), including public comment opportunities.
Electric vehicle incentives and charging	Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs	The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Commission have upcoming meeting on April 15, 2022 from 10AM to 12PM, with public comment opportunities	Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Commission Email [e-mail] to be put on the ZEV Commission meeting listserv
EVSE proposals from utility companies (DPU dockets 21-90, 21-91, and 21-92)	Department of Public Utilities	Public comment period has ended but inquiries may be sent to hearing officers	DPU's electric vehicle charging resources Information on the DPU proceedings (search for dockets 21-90, 21-91, and 21-92), including upcoming meetings.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Program Review	Department of Energy Resources, Department of Environmental Protection	2021-2022	The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Tariff (DPU docket 20-145)	Department of Public Utilities	Public comment period has ended but inquiries may be sent to hearing officers	Information on the DPU proceeding (search for docket 20-145), including upcoming meetings. Renewable energy related inquiries may be submitted to the DPU here.
Electric grid modernization (DPU dockets 21-80, 21-81, 21-82)	Department of Public Utilities	Public comment period has ended but inquiries may be sent to hearing officers	Grid modernization and AMI resources Information on the DPU proceedings (search for dockets 21-80, 21-81, 21-82), including upcoming meetings.
Eversource's petition for general increase in base distribution rates for electric service and a performance-based ratemaking plan (DPU docket 22-22)	Department of Public Utilities	Public hearings have been scheduled for March 29 and 31, 2022	January 28, 2022 D.P.U. 22-22 Notice of Filing, Public Hearing, and Procedural Conference
Forest carbon goals and policies	Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs	Dec. 21, 2021, 12PM-1:30PM, presentation slides available here, recording available here.  Jan. 14, 2022, 12PM-2PM, presentation slides available here, recording available here. Feb. 11, 2022, 12PM-2PM, presentation slides, recording here.	Sign up for updates and meeting notices.
Clean Energy and Climate Plans and GWSA implementation	Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs	The GWSA Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) meet quarterly, with public comment opportunities	Dates/time and materials for IAC meetings are posted on GWSA Public Meetings. Sign up to receive email notifications of upcoming IAC meetings is also on that webpage.

Interim Clean Energy and Climate Report for 2030

The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) sets out a series of requirements for how the Commonwealth is to achieve emissions reductions by mid-century. One of the requirements is for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to set an emissions limit for 2030 and develop an implementation plan to achieve said limit.  In setting the limit, the Secretary of EEA is to both ensure that it maximizes the Commonwealth’s ability to meet the emissions limit for 2050 and consider the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and enforceability of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions measures, along with their co-benefits, for achieving said limit. 

To inform the setting of the 2030 emissions limit, the development of the 2030 CECP, and help the Commonwealth meet the ambitious Net Zero by 2050 emissions limit, EEA commissioned a large research effort analyzing pathways to cost effectively and equitably achieve net zero over the next 30 years.  EEA’s 2050 Roadmap study commenced in July of 2019, focusing on the necessary transformations in how we heat our buildings, power our vehicles, and generate and supply electricity to significantly reduce emissions.  The study also looked at other sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and assessed how much emissions our natural and working lands can potentially remove in 2050.  Additionally, the study analyzed the economic and health impacts of achieving net zero emissions. These findings have been published as part of the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap report as well as several accompanying technical reports. Please visit 2050 Roadmap for more information and to access the full reports.

On December 30, 2020, Secretary Kathleen Theoharides set the 2030 emissions limit at 45% emissions reduction below the 1990 baseline, and released the Interim 2030 CECP for public comment.  The Interim 2030 CECP was built upon the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 (2020 CECP) published in 2010, as well as the Update to the 2020 CECP (Updated 2020 CECP) published in 2015.  The Interim 2030 CECP is available in: English;   Español;   中文;   Português;   Kreyòl ayisyen;   Tiếng Việt. 

EEA hosted two public webinars on the Interim 2030 CECP (details below). Comments given during the meetings were recorded and are being considered with the other public comments on the Interim 2030 CECP:

• Slides from March 2021 CECP Public Webinar: 2030 Interim CECP March Public Webinar Slides
• Recording for Interim 2030 CECP Webinar #1 (English), Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 3-4:30pm
• Recording for Interim 2030 CECP Webinar #2 (English), Monday, March 15, 2021, 6:30-8pm

Grabación de reuniones | 會議錄音 | Gravação de reunião | Reyinyon anrejistreman | Ghi âm cuộc họp

Public Comments on 2025/2030 CECP and Interim 2030 CECP

Over a thousand comments on the Interim 2030 CECP were submitted to EEA in multiple ways.  These comments have been compiled and are posted below. 

• 325 Comments submitted through the online Formstack: Interim 2030 CECP Public Comments: Formstack Submissions
• 5 voicemails and 673 comments emailed to [e-mail], including form letters: Interim 2030 CECP Public Comments: Voicemail and Email Submissions
• 150 comment letters that came in as attachments (through formstack or email): Interim 2030 CECP Public Comments: Letter Attachments
• Additionally, we received 43 oral comments from public meetings held on March 9th and March 15th. 

Over 140 public comments were submitted on the 2025/2030 CECP in multiple ways.  These comments have been compiled and posted below:  

• 2025/2030 CECP Public Comments: Letters

• 2025/2030 CECP Public Comments: Form Submissions

Thank you to all who commented. Questions can be emailed to [e-mail].  

Previous 2030 Emissions Limit

The 2030 emissions limit was set on December 30, 2020, in accordance with Executive Order 569. 2030 GHG Emissions Limit Letter of Determination

In compliance with An Act Creating A Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, the Secretary of EEA will set a new 2030 emissions limit by July 1, 2022.

Feedback and Resources

Additional information on a clean energy home.