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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2216 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2233
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael J. Barrett
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act requiring an investigation of the advantages and disadvantages of participation by the
commonwealth in multi-state or North American regional market-based compliance
mechanisms, structures, or systems, including but not limited to the Western Climate Initiative.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael J. BarrettThird MiddlesexJames B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester3/3/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2216 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2233
By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2233) of Michael J. Barrett and
James B. Eldridge for legislation to require an investigation of the advantages and disadvantages
of participation by the commonwealth in multi-state or North American regional market-based
compliance mechanisms, structures, or systems, including but not limited to the Western Climate
Initiative. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act requiring an investigation of the advantages and disadvantages of participation by the
commonwealth in multi-state or North American regional market-based compliance
mechanisms, structures, or systems, including but not limited to the Western Climate Initiative.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 (a) The secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, in
2consultation with the department of energy resources and the department of public utilities, shall
3investigate the advantages and disadvantages of participation by the commonwealth in multi-
4state or North American regional market-based compliance mechanisms, structures, or systems,
5including but not limited to the Western Climate Initiative so called, undertaken by the state of
6California and the Province of Quebec, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
7sources or categories of sources, promote compliance with the statewide greenhouse gas
8emission limits and sublimits established pursuant to chapter 21N of the General Laws, and in
9other ways provide benefits for the commonwealth. 2 of 2
10 (b) Not later than March 1, 2027, the secretary shall submit to the clerks of the senate
11and house of representatives a report on the executive office’s investigation of the advantages
12and disadvantages of participating in such multi-state or regional market-based compliance
13mechanisms, structures, or systems. The report may include recommendations by the secretary
14on further pursuing, structuring, and governing potential participation by the commonwealth in
15such multi-state or regional market-based compliance mechanisms, structures, or systems. If the
16secretary finds that participation in such a market-based compliance mechanism, structure, or
17system would be likely to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sources or categories of
18sources, promote compliance with the statewide greenhouse gas emission limits and sublimits
19established pursuant to chapter 21N of the General Laws, and in other ways provide benefits for
20the commonwealth, the secretary may act pursuant to subsection (c).
21 (c) Pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), the secretary, or the department of energy
22resources or the department of environmental protection as the secretary may direct, may take
23additional steps, up to and including the adoption of regulations, to further pursue, structure, and
24govern participation by the commonwealth in such market-based compliance mechanisms,
25structures, or systems; provided, that full and regular participation shall be effective only upon
26additional approval by the general court.