Press Release: 11/13/2025
Mass Audubon statement on proposed bill to rollback 2030 climate mandate
November 13, 2025
Massachusetts has passed increasingly proactive laws for decades to address the climate crisis and prioritize clean energy, culminating in the creation of 30x30 climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But a new bill that will likely be proposed soon in the Massachusetts House aims to weaken those climate mandates to lower greenhouse gas emissions by making the target nonbinding.
Mass Audubon remains committed to the crucial benchmarks that we still have five years to meet. The following is a statement from Mass Audubon President & CEO David O'Neill:
“Policies to make energy more affordable for Massachusetts residents are an absolute must. But the proposal from the Massachusetts House’s Energy Committee mostly looks like the wrong solution to the right problem. Parts of this bill frame our ambitious climate goals as the enemy of affordability. In fact, the reasons for high energy costs in MA are complicated. We need thoughtful, fact-based solutions to reduce electricity costs. There’s no doubt that losing federal funds and aggressive action by the current administration against offshore wind, solar, and electric vehicles makes our goals harder. But we’ve faced challenges to our ambitious energy and environmental goals before. Massachusetts and our partner states have always been innovative and nimble – we’ve adjusted for real-world conditions, while keeping our long-term goals intact.”
“This is the exactly one of the moments that calls for strong, creative leadership from the legislature. We urge the House and Senate leadership to build on the aspects of the House Energy Committee proposal that will reduce electric bills, without giving up on our strong climate goals.”
About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.
Media Contact:
Aaron Gouveia