Some on Beacon Hill say that more needs to be done to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Others call this a “fantasy.”
A piece of legislation pending in the State House that seeks to cut emissions by creating a “whole-of-government plan to reduce vehicle miles traveled” is provoking strong opposition from some who see the idea as a potentially costly example of governmental overreach.
The legislation, dubbed the “Freedom to Move Act,” is being pushed by lawmakers who think that simply increasing electric vehicle (EV) usage in Massachusetts is not enough to sufficiently reduce emissions from the transportation sector. Massachusetts officials are attempting to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and the transportation sector is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
State Sen. Cynthia Creem, who represents Brookline, Newton, and Wellesley, is the bill’s primary sponsor. While EVs are important, more needs to be done, according to Creem…