In a conversation that combined optimism and urgency, GRC members on January 15 gathered virtually with Brad Campbell, president and CEO of the Conservation Law Foundation. The group heard from Campbell, a former senior-level appointee of the Clinton Administration EPA, then shared perspectives on what the incoming Trump Administration might mean for climate action in Boston and beyond.
As Boston innovates to modernize our grid and make our city resilient, the headline from Campbell? “Now is not a time we should face a pause in climate action or lose ground.”
Here are some takeaways from the discussion:
Even with a Republican Congress, Trump could face constraints on climate
While Trump won decisively, and will serve alongside a now-Republican Congress, early signs are emerging that federal policy dynamics might be more complex than they appear. The debt ceiling debate last month and continued Republican war over fiscal policy showed that Congress won’t reliably bend to Trump’s will. Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski could play a similar role to Joe Manchin on the Democratic side, serving as key swing votes and influencers.
Recent decisions from the Supreme Court demonstrate a similar trend. This month, the Court refused to reconsider cases underway that would hold fossil fuel producers liable for climate change, meaning that state courts will continue to determine how the cases proceed. They also refused to hear a case challenging Vineyard Wind.
Don’t panic about early executive orders…
In his early days in office, Trump will likely advance a range of “drill, baby, drill” executive orders doubling down on his commitment to fossil fuel expansion. However, and perhaps surprisingly, these orders won’t represent too big a shift from the Biden Administration, which approved high numbers of drilling permits.
…but fight to protect the IRA
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed during the Biden Administration, provides $379 billion toward clean energy, with a focus on environmental justice communities. Many are concerned that DC leaders could seek to claw back funding associated with clean energy expansion. With 80 percent of the benefits of the IRA going to “red states,” Boston business leaders must work with their counterparts in other states receiving IRA dollars to create a united, nonpartisan coalition in support of continued funding.
Massachusetts also benefits from a strong Congressional delegation who is working to keep IRA funding in place.
Massachusetts must do more
The Commonwealth now has a host of examples of nation-leading climate technologies – thanks in no small part to the commitment of GRC members. Yet, we still lack a clear vision of the “glide path” from fossil fuels to renewables – including how we ensure good jobs and what the right role is for legacy utility companies.
The onus of climate action now falls on state and city leaders, the business community, and civil society. We must clearly articulate where we’re going so that everyday people – and voters – support the shift.
One unanswered question is how large a scope the Office of Energy Transformation, created in March 2025, will take on. Will they lead the way in developing the glide path we need?
And along with expanding renewables, can they lead the conversation about creating more capacity within the grid via time-of-use pricing and other mechanisms?
On the resilience side, Massachusetts’ regulatory structure is impeding progress on coastal resilience, which requires building into the water – an exceedingly difficult activity to permit. Environmental groups must come together as responsible stewards of current regulations to determine what makes sense to update.
Where we go from here
The GRC is grateful to Brad and the members who joined with insights to contribute to a rich discussion – the conversation will continue!
In the meantime, we hope you can join us on January 29 at 10:30 a.m. for a conversation with on coastal resilience projects unfolding in Boston, Cambridge, and on DCR properties; featuring Julie Wormser, Chief Climate Officer for the City of Cambridge, Chris Osgood, Director of the Office of Climate Resilience for the City of Boston, and Mike Galvin, Project Manager at Department of Conservation and Recreation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.