Massport Charter Update
Governor Healey signs sweeping climate legislation – with Massport Charter Update!
After a roller coaster legislative session, the MA Senate and House passed a comprehensive Climate bill, which Governor Healey signed on November 20th -- the version that SPJE and our allies had advocated. The bill includes amendments to the 1956 Massport charter (Enabling Act) which brings it into alignment with current climate realities and MA climate goals. The signed bill will become law in 90 days.
Ultimately, both chambers demonstrated overwhelming support for the bill (S2967). The Senate passed it with a vote of 38 to 2 on 10/24/24, followed by a House vote of 128 to 17 on 11/14/24.
Under the new wording, Massport’s responsibilities--until now limited to the original roles of promoting commerce, economic growth and security--will expand to also include, with equal weight, the promotion of “environmental protection and resilience, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental justice principles as defined in section 62 of chapter 30 of the General Laws”. The updated charter provides new opportunities for efforts to stop private jet expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere, and new levers for Logan-area communities to combat adverse impacts from Logan airport activities.
This achievement is a testimony to the collaborative action and persistence of our grassroots efforts, and to the responsiveness of all our legislators who voted in favor of this climate bill -- in particular, Senator Barrett, who introduced the Massport charter provision in the Senate bill, and to Representatives Cataldo, Ciccolo, Gentile, Gordon and Peisch who introduced counterpart amendments in the House.
See: Barrett Hopes New Legislation Changes Massport Culture on Climate – Bedford Citizen, 11/18/24
Updating Massport’s 1956 Charter to include Climate priorities
Did you know that Massport operates under the same charter as it was established in 1956? In the age of climate change, transportation authorities, like Massport, should operate in line with our state’s climate goals. An amendment to address this contradiction was brought forward through the Massachusetts State Legislature’s Climate Omnibus Bill. While the Massport Charter amendment gained significant traction, with 41 co-sponsors representing 94 cities and towns across Massachusetts, the climate bill failed to reach the Governor’s desk by the July 31st deadline.
News Coverage of Massport’s Charter Update in MA Climate Bill
Plan to expand airport for private jets runs into new Massachusetts climate law Energy News Network 12/18/24
Climate advocates say an expansion of Hanscom Field will add to the state’s climate emissions and mostly benefit the very wealthy. A new state law will force decision-makers to consider the impact.
House - 10/28/24: House Speaker Mariano announces that House will delay climate bill vote till as-yet-unfiled economic development accord surfaces · State House News Story
Senate - 10/24/24: In an unusual move, Mass. Senate reopens formal session to pass sweeping climate bill · Boston Globe Story
State House climate negotiators resume talks Amid protests, House, Senate lawmakers now sound optimistic ∙ Commonwealth Beacon ∙ Bruce Mohl ∙ 9/24/24
Healey spending bill bypasses climate talks in Legislature ∙ Commonwealth Times ∙ Bruce Mohl ∙ 9/11/24
Governor Healey undercut the Senate’s, and our allies’, efforts to achieve a comprehensive climate bill when she filed a spending bill on 9/11/24 that included the “skinny” version of the climate bill preferred by industry groups.
It is as yet unclear if the Massport Charter Update was included in the skinny bill. Stay tuned…
On climate, why the Senate goes bigger ∙ The Barrett Report ∙ State Senator Mike Barrett ∙ 9/9/24
Senate Majority Leader Mike Barrett’s most recent newsletter has a call to reconvene this fall to pass a compromise bill that includes essential changes to Massport.
Mass. prides itself on being a leader on climate issues. So what happened to the climate bill? ∙ The Boston Globe ∙ Sabrina Shankman ∙ 8/5/24
Climate Bill Includes Rep. Gordon’s Amendment to Enable Massport to Consider Environment – Bedford Citizen 7/22/24, submitted by
Rep Ken Gordon
Legislation Takes Aim at Hanscom Hangar Expansion Project∙ The Concord Bridge ∙ Erin Tiernan ∙ 7/22/2024