Networked geothermal pilot in Framingham

In Framingham, Eversource is building a networked geothermal pilot — a connected system of ground-source heat pumps that use underground heat to warm buildings. The $5 million in funds I secured to collect data on these systems helped get the project off — or should I say under — the ground. Here, I’m speaking to an out-of-state delegation that wanted to learn how Massachusetts is making the switch from gas to geo. 

Senator Barrett standing with an out-of-state delegation
Senator Barrett speaking to an out-of-state delegation

Boat trip to Vineyard Wind 1

One takeaway from the boat ride to see construction of Vineyard Wind 1, the first major offshore wind farm in the country, is that determination and follow-through are the name of the game. We’re gaining ground and making genuine progress. 

Pictures of Senator Barrett aboard the boat to see the construction of Vineyard Wind 1

Reducing our reliance on natural gas

Roughly 30% of emissions in Massachusetts comes from heating our buildings. Reliance on natural gas for this purpose remains one of the toughest hurdles to overcome. One of many proposals before the Legislature is a bill to put a hold on new gas lines entirely. I recently chaired a hearing on that idea, among others.

Senator Barrett chairing a hearing on the topic of clean heating fuels.

How do we get to zero waste?

Lexington, a town I represent, is asking a tough question: How do we move toward a zero-waste future? One of the steps we can take is updating the 40-year-old bottle bill — raising the deposit from five cents and expanding the number of containers eligible for deposit — to achieve higher rates of returns. Legislation to accomplish this is pending before the Energy Committee, of which I’m Senate Chair. I’m pushing hard for passage. 

Mass Save must be reorganized to help ratepayers

Mass Save — the state’s biggest program to reduce carbon emissions in buildings — has no visible leadership. Current law calls for no CEO, no board of directors — no one accountable to the Legislature and the public. I have a bill to reorganize Mass Save in order to achieve better outcomes for ratepayers. Energy utilities will still have a seat at the table, but not at the head of the table. Here, I’m chairing a hearing where the bill was debated.

Senator Barrett chairs a hearing on energy efficiency.

MassCEC report underscores need for immigration

Boston Globe

To my mind, this excellent report underscores a big-picture truth: Massachusetts needs a plan to attract move-ins, from other states and even from abroad. When you place the workforce needs documented so effectively here alongside the findings of other studies concerning labor shortages in healthcare, home care, and early childhood education, it’s hard to draw any other conclusion. We need to attract a slew of workers to fill jobs, and I don’t see how we meet our greenhouse gas reduction limits otherwise.

Read More

Marathon hearing on reducing carbon emissions in buildings

Reducing carbon emissions in buildings is a tough nut to crack. At a marathon hearing, Sen. Pacheco and I heard about topics ranging from embodied carbon — the carbon footprint of a material through its whole lifecycle — to networked geothermal — connected systems of ground-source heat pumps.

Senator Barrett listening to a panel of speakers testify at the Energy Committee hearing on decarbonization.

Big Win for Lex. High School boys track team

The boys track and field team at Lexington High School just won the Division I state title. Here they are with the gov, who bonded with them over her own athletic accomplishments. I wish I could take some credit for their win, but I just wanted to bask in their glory. Congrats guys!

Lex. High School boys track team celebrates with Governor Healey and Sen. Barrett.

What’s at stake in a simmering feud over the Mass. Legislature’s rules?

GBH NEWS

To me, progressive climate policy in the MA Legislature turns on the Senate and the House remaining equal in power. For my take on today’s tensions, watch this.

Read More