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MA Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Global Warming Solutions Act

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Green Newton

On May 17, 2016 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that the Baker Administration and the Department of Environmental Affairs have failed to comply with the Global Warming Solutions Act. The court used the word “unambiguous” to describe a requirement of the DEP to write regulations ensuring that we see “declining aggregate emissions” of greenhouse gas emissions over time.

Environmental groups strongly support the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), which requires greenhouse gas emissions of 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 (both compared to 1990). And the GWSA clearly states that the Department must write regulations to get the job done. The DEP needs to move quickly to write strong regulations that will get us to the important first milestone of 25% by 2020.

According to Newton’s Director of Sustainability, Andy Savitz, “This decision is going to change the landscape, in our favor, regarding the relative merits of fossil fuels versus renewables. It could be used to make a strong case for the abolition of solar caps, and for taking other steps to quickly get in compliance with the law.”