Environmentalists Celebrate Big Wins in Massachusetts. By Steve LeBlanc, AP, August 3, 2008. "Tally up the crush of bills passed during the Legislature's 19-month formal session and it's hard to find a politician or interest group with bigger bragging rights than environmentalists... Some of the biggest [victories] include: The Oceans Act of 2008. The new law, signed by [Gov. Deval] Patrick in May, ensures Massachusetts lives up to its Bay State nickname by becoming the first state in the nation to create a single document to cover a myriad of ocean activities, from wind farms and ocean fishing to whale watching and environmental conservation... Green Jobs Bill. The bill, now on Gov. Patrick's desk, would spur the growth of jobs in the green economy in part by funneling $13 million a year over the next five years into a new Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to develop the renewable energy sector... Green Communities Bill. The initiative is intended to help Massachusetts wean itself off fossil fuels and other polluting forms of energy while cutting down on emissions that lead to global warming in part by requiring utilities and other electricity suppliers to procure an increasing percentage of their energy from renewable sources... Global Warming Bill. The bill requires the state over the next dozen years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent below 1990 levels. By 2050, the goal is to have emissions drop 80 percent below 1990 levels... Biofuels Law. The measure, signed by Patrick last week, gives preferential tax treatment to non-corn-based alternatives to ethanol. It also requires biofuel content in all the diesel and home heating fuel sold in the state... 'The public has demanded action to protect our environment and our health and clearly the Legislature has listened,' said Lora Wondolowski, executive director of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters."
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