By Bob Katzen
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS (H 5510)
House 151-0, approved a $3.5 billion bond bill that supporters said will modernize environmental laws, strengthen climate resilience, support agricultural and food systems, streamline permitting processes and improve the management of the state’s natural resources. They noted the bill advances a broad set of reforms designed to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change, accelerate critical infrastructure projects, improve environmental protections and support Bay State cities and towns.
The Senate has already approved its own version of the bill, and a House-Senate conference committee will likely be appointed to hammer out a compromise version.
Provisions of the House bill include establishing a new Resilience Revolving Fund to help municipalities, tribal governments and public water and wastewater districts finance climate-resilient infrastructure projects and technical assistance; creating new commissions and advisory bodies focused on flood mitigation, air quality, coastal resilience and long-term climate preparedness; streamlining permitting and environmental review processes for priority housing developments, nature-based solutions projects, culvert replacements, wetland restoration efforts and other projects that advance climate resilience while maintaining environmental protections; expanding representation on the Massachusetts Food Policy Council; modernizing commercial feed regulations; strengthening enforcement tools for agricultural programs; and improving transparency for prospective homebuyers and tenants by requiring flood risk disclosures.
Funding includes $385 million for the Water Pollution Abatement Trust to support wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects; $315 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Program for cities and towns to assess climate risks; and $308 million for the repair, construction and removal of state-owned dams and coastal infrastructure including seawalls, docks, culverts and salt marshes.
“There is perhaps no responsibility more fundamental to the role of government than ensuring that residents have access to clean drinking water and are breathing clean air,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy.) “This legislation is the latest example of Massachusetts’ ironclad commitment to protecting our environment and to leading the fight against climate change. At the same time, the bill takes steps to ensure that the commonwealth’s environmental regulations aren’t unnecessarily burdensome when issuing permits for new housing developments and other critical infrastructure projects.”
“Today, the House passed … the largest state investment in climate resilience in our state’s history,” said Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House Chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “We aren’t just talking about protecting our environment against climate change, today we’re taking action. Our communities have real, immediate needs – clean drinking water free from PFAS contamination, protection from flooding and storm damage, accessible parks, restored beaches, rivers and coastlines and healthier forests. These investments we voted on today will fortify our environmental infrastructure and build a sustainably rich future for generations to come.”
(A “Yes” for the bill.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes