Advertisement
Boston's Morning Newsletter
From plastic bag bans to permitting: Mass. Senate moves on new climate bills
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
TGIF! It will take more than a few showers to rain on the Celtics parade today. However, the forecast is calling for scattered thunderstorms. So, bring a poncho if you’re one of the million fans lining up to see McDonald’s customer Jayson Tatum and friends tout the Larry O’Brien trophy (fresh off its North End night out with Joe Mazzulla).
Check out this brief parade guide for the route map, nearby MBTA stops and some of the major dos and don’ts.
Even if you’re not going to the 11 a.m. parade, city officials say to avoid driving anywhere in the general downtown area between late morning and early afternoon due to “plentiful” traffic and “scarce” parking. Boston commuters are also encouraged to work remotely, if they can. (There’s a reason BPS called off all classes today.)
Now, to the news:
On Beacon Hill: Climate legislation is on the move — again — in the Massachusetts State House. While state lawmakers have enacted multiple sweeping climate laws in the past few years, the Senate is advancing two new bills with the environment in mind this week:
Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill aimed at cutting Bay Staters’ use of plastics. The state currently has a patchwork of municipal plastic bag bans in over 160 cities and towns, including Boston, Worcester and Springfield. The Senate bill — passed by a 38-2 vote — would expand those bans to all communities, along with a few other measures.
- The bill would prohibit stores from handing out disposable plastic bags at checkout, and instead require them to charge 10 cents for a paper or reusable bag. (The Senate passed a similar bill in 2019, but the House never got on board.)
- The bill would also ban restaurants, coffee shops and other retailers from giving customers straws, cup spill plugs and other disposable “food service ware,” unless requested.
- Finally, the bill would create a statewide program for recycling of bulky plastic objects — particularly child car seats.
The Senate could also vote today on another bill focused on changes Senate President Karen Spilka says are needed to put the state on track to meet its 2050 net-zero emissions goals. (The vote was originally scheduled yesterday, but was delayed by a procedural move by one Republican senator.)
Advertisement
- The bill would primarily expedite the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure projects — from solar farms to electric substations — amid criticism that bureaucracy has slowed some of those efforts. The bill would consolidate the various permits needed for such projects and set 12-to-15-month deadlines for agencies to process them. However, it would still give “lots of opportunities for local governments and folks to have input,” Spilka said this week.
- The bill also looks to spur the state’s sputtering electric vehicle movement, in part by extending funding for the state’s EV rebates through 2027 and making it easier for condo owners to install at-home chargers.
- Separately, the bill would ban controversial competitive electric suppliers from enrolling new residential customers.
What’s next: Senate Republicans can’t stall the vote for long. But both bills still have to go through the House. House Speaker Ron Mariano suggested last week his chamber is at least interested in reforming the energy project permitting process. But banning plastic checkout bags? That’s less certain. And advocates are skeptical about anything getting to Healey’s desk.
Heads up: Two sections of the T are going dark for the weekend. To the south, shuttles will replace the Mattapan trolley, from 8:30 p.m. tonight through Sunday. Up north, shuttles will replace Orange Line service between Oak Grove and North Station.
- Up next: A slightly shorter Orange Line diversion will continue next week, between Wellington and North Station. Downtown commuters can take the Haverhill commuter rail line or the express shuttle to North Station (both of which will be free).
After the duck boats: Boston’s annual Pizza Festival returns to City Hall Plaza for its fifth year this weekend. The two-day fest gives attendees the chance to sample slices from over 20 different vendors, from Florina Pizzeria to Bertucci’s.
- How to attend: Entry is ostensibly free, but you’ll have to pay for pizza (a three-slice minimum for $12.)
P.S.— What caused the two-hour 911 outage across the state on Tuesday? Take our Boston News Quiz and see if you know the answer.
