Environment (Environmental Justice)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 13, 2025

S 636: An Act to improve environmental justice in the Commonwealth

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 636) of Liz Miranda for legislation to improve environmental justice in the Commonwealth by establishing the Green Zones Act. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Green Zones Act to improve environmental justice, directly advancing protections for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental hazards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 373: An Act of improving environmental justice in Black communities

HD 373, the "Commonwealth GREEN ZONES ACT," requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to conduct environmental audits in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by pollution and health risks. These audits identify "Green Zones" within defined "Environmental Justice Neighborhoods," which are areas meeting specific criteria like low income (≤65% of statewide median), high minority population (≥40%), or limited English proficiency. The bill mandates the Secretary to report findings to municipalities and state officials, and to involve residents in designating Green Zones focused on reducing pollution and improving environmental resilience. It establishes a framework for future targeted actions but does not allocate new funding or mandate immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental audits in pollution-affected neighborhoods to identify 'Green Zones,' directly addressing pollution exposure in vulnerable communities per environmental justice criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1445: An Act to prevent gas expansion to protect climate, community health and safety.

This bill prohibits new gas facilities or expansions within 5 miles of environmental justice communities (areas disproportionately affected by pollution) unless required for public safety. It applies directly to gas companies seeking permits or approvals for projects in these zones, requiring state agencies to deny such requests. Key provisions amend state code to block approvals and certificate petitions for gas infrastructure near these communities, with the sole exception being safety-related projects. The law aims to protect community health and reduce climate impacts by halting new gas development in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts fossil fuel infrastructure expansion near vulnerable communities, reducing gas reliance per bill's prohibition on new gas facilities.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits gas expansions near environmental justice communities to reduce pollution and protect climate, directly advancing environmental protection per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1596: An Act implementing elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate literacy education

This bill creates a dedicated "Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Trust Fund" to support climate education in Massachusetts public schools. The fund, financed by state appropriations, grants, and interest, will pay for curriculum development, teacher training, and technical support for K-12 schools. It requires school districts to create climate literacy plans - including lessons on human impacts on climate, environmental justice, and climate policy - that prioritize underserved communities and include youth input. The fund must be used without annual re-appropriation, with annual public reports detailing spending and district participation. The bill directly affects all public K-12 school districts in Massachusetts, with specific focus on schools serving economically disadvantaged students or environmental justice communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded trust fund using state appropriations for public school climate education programs, directly advancing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated climate literacy fund for K-12 curriculum, teacher training, and technical support, prioritizing underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates trust fund for climate literacy education, mandates curriculum on climate impacts and environmental justice, directly advancing environmental education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1140: An Act to improve environmental justice in the Commonwealth

This bill, the Commonwealth GREEN ZONES ACT, creates a process to identify and address environmental inequities in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by pollution and contamination. It requires the state environmental agency to conduct audits of "Environmental Justice Neighborhoods" (defined by low income, high minority populations, or limited English proficiency) and designate "Green Zones" within them for targeted improvements. Key mechanisms include forming resident advisory groups, publishing audit findings publicly, and requiring bi-annual reports to the legislature. The bill directly affects communities meeting specific demographic or economic criteria, with the state agency leading the identification and planning for environmental sustainability and resilience.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Green Zones in pollution-affected neighborhoods for targeted improvements, directly addressing environmental inequities and reducing pollution in disadvantaged areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2146: An Act relative to protecting public health and reducing health care costs

HD 2146 requires Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to create a mandatory assessment tool within 12 months. This tool quantifies health impacts (like asthma, hospital visits, and premature death) and associated costs or savings from energy-related emissions (e.g., pollution from power plants) and energy efficiency/renewable energy benefits. It specifically analyzes effects on environmental justice communities, MassHealth, community hospitals, and state budgets. Starting 24 months after the law takes effect, all new state energy, transportation, or waste policies must explicitly factor in the tool's health cost analysis before adoption.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates assessment of renewable energy benefits and health impacts from emissions, recognizing their value in public health and cost savings.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires assessment of health impacts from energy emissions/pollution and renewable benefits, specifically analyzing environmental justice communities and cost savings from reduced emissions.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates assessment of environmental health impacts on MassHealth and hospitals, linking pollution reduction to lower healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Environmental Justice Hospitals Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2029: An Act to evaluate transportation resiliency and progress towards meeting carbon emissions reductions benchmarks

This bill requires Massachusetts transportation departments to conduct climate vulnerability assessments and adaptation cost analyses for all highway systems and mass transit infrastructure. It mandates that these assessments identify climate risks (like flooding or extreme heat), prioritize adaptation solutions, and evaluate impacts on environmental justice communities. Transportation agencies must complete initial assessments within 18 months and update them every four years. The law directly affects the Department of Transportation and its divisions, requiring them to plan for infrastructure resilience while tracking progress toward emissions goals.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates carbon emissions reductions benchmarks for transportation infrastructure, directly advancing climate resilience and emissions reduction goals tied to energy policy.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate vulnerability assessments and carbon emissions tracking for transportation infrastructure, requiring adaptation planning to meet emissions benchmarks and protect environmental justice communities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires climate vulnerability assessments for transportation infrastructure to address climate risks and meet emissions benchmarks, promoting sustainable transportation resilience.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice Public Transit

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3655: An Act further defining an environmental justice population

This bill revises Massachusetts' definition of "environmental justice population" to clarify which neighborhoods qualify for targeted environmental protections. It specifies five criteria: low income (≤65% of state median), minority population (≥40%), limited English proficiency (≥25% of households), or proximity to a Superfund site. Neighborhoods not fully meeting these can still qualify if a portion meets criteria and 10 residents petition for that specific area. The Secretary of Environmental Affairs can also deny designation if a neighborhood has higher income, more college-educated residents, no pollution burden, or good access to natural resources. This definition directly affects communities seeking environmental justice programs and state agency decision-making.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies criteria for environmental justice protections, expanding eligibility for targeted safeguards in vulnerable communities near pollution sources or with socioeconomic challenges.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice Hazardous Materials

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4204: An Act achieving a green future with infrastructure and workforce investments

This bill establishes Massachusetts' Green Infrastructure Fund to finance climate action projects. The fund, administered by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, receives leftover revenue from existing clean energy market mechanisms after other designated funds are distributed. It will support eligible projects including clean transportation infrastructure (like electric buses and charging stations), energy-efficient building upgrades, renewable energy expansion, and rural clean energy investments. The fund's spending priorities are guided by an 18-member board with diverse representation (including environmental justice advocates, labor, businesses, and youth), requiring annual public reporting and a 3-year expenditure plan. It directly affects state agencies, municipalities, and low-income communities through targeted investment criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects leftover clean energy revenue to fund climate infrastructure projects, increasing targeted government spending without new taxes or tax changes.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates Green Infrastructure Fund to finance renewable energy expansion, clean transportation, and energy-efficient upgrades using clean energy market revenues.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Green Infrastructure Fund to finance climate action projects including clean transportation, renewable energy, and energy-efficient upgrades, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds clean transportation infrastructure (electric buses, charging stations) as part of climate action projects, directly advancing sustainable transportation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Renewable Energy Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1632: An Act advancing clean energy equity

SD 1632 requires the undersecretary of environmental justice and equity to ensure clean energy program benefits are distributed fairly across Massachusetts, prioritizing environmental justice communities (as defined in law) and low-income areas. It mandates the undersecretary to develop a clear definition of "clean energy benefits" covering pollution reduction, cost savings, economic development, and program accessibility, along with a tracking framework for monitoring allocation. Starting January 1, 2025, all clean energy program reviews must detail benefit distribution, identify participation barriers, and propose solutions like multilingual support or streamlined applications. The bill directly affects state clean energy programs, environmental justice communities, and low-income residents by requiring measurable equity in how benefits are delivered.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly advances clean energy equity by mandating fair distribution of benefits like pollution reduction and cost savings in environmental justice communities.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates pollution reduction tracking, prioritizes environmental justice communities, and advances clean energy equity distribution per its requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Environmental Justice

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