CECP Update 1-14-16_docx

The 2015 update to the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 (CECP Update) outlines the policies the Baker-Polito Administration will use to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals mandated by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 (GWSA). The report concludes that a reduction of at least 25% below 1990 levels is attainable by 2020 through a comprehensive strategy covering building efficiency, transportation, electricity generation, and non-energy emissions.

• Massachusetts GHG emissions decreased by 22 MMTCO2e between 1990 and 2012, falling from 94.5 MMTCO2e in 1990 to 72 MMTCO2e in 2012, representing a 24% reduction.
• The electric sector has been the primary driver of emission reductions since 1990, largely due to a shift from oil and coal to natural gas for power generation, which resulted in a net reduction of approximately 12 MMTCO2e.
• Transportation is the largest emissions sector as of 2015 and is projected to remain so in 2020; it is the only fuel combustion sector to see an increase in emissions since 1990, as gains in vehicle efficiency were offset by increased driving.
• Full implementation of the policies in the CECP Update is projected to reduce GHG emissions by 25.0 MMTCO2e (26.4% of 1990 gross emissions) by 2020.
• The two most significant drivers for closing the gap to the 2020 emission limit are vehicle GHG emissions standards and additional clean electricity, each expected to contribute several MMTCO2e in reductions.
• The 'Clean Energy Imports' policy is identified as critical, with an estimated reduction of 4.0 MMTCO2e (4.2% of 1990 levels), but it requires new legislation or regulation for implementation.
• The 'All Cost Effective Energy Efficiency' policy is the largest source of GHG reductions in the buildings sector, with projected economy-wide reductions of 5.4 MMTCO2e (5.8% of 1990 levels) by 2020.
• The retirement of coal-fired power plants is expected to reduce emissions by 2.7 MMTCO2e by 2020, though this is partially offset by the closure of the Pilgrim nuclear power plant.
• The 'Reducing Emissions from the Natural Gas Distribution Network' policy aims to reduce methane leaks by replacing aged steel and iron pipes, with an estimated reduction of 1.7 MMTCO2e by 2020.
• The 'Greening the Gateway Cities' program aims to plant more than 27,000 trees in 14 Gateway Cities to reduce heating and cooling loads, though measurable GHG reductions are not projected until after 2020.
• To meet the GWSA's 2050 goal of reducing emissions by at least 80% relative to 1990, the report emphasizes a strategy of 'reduce, electrify, and decarbonize,' focusing on reduced energy consumption, expanded clean electricity, and electrification of heating and transport.
• Analysis of terrestrial carbon storage in 2011 found that forests, wetlands, farms, and fields stored 365 million metric tons of carbon, with forests accounting for approximately 67% of this total.
• Historical land use change from 1990 to 2011 resulted in a loss of 7 million metric tons of carbon, primarily in forests and wetlands.
• The 'Blue Carbon Calculator' was used to estimate that seven ecological restoration projects in Massachusetts wetlands would result in a cumulative net reduction of approximately 8,400 metric tons of CO2e by 2050.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (n.d.). CECP Update 1-14-16_docx. https://leap.sei.org/documents/MassCECP.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. CECP Update 1-14-16_docx. n.d. https://leap.sei.org/documents/MassCECP.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=CECP Update 1-14-16_docx |url=https://leap.sei.org/documents/MassCECP.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitutendcecp, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{CECP Update 1-14-16\_docx}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://leap.sei.org/documents/MassCECP.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }