Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s big bet on climate tech
Jun 7, 2024
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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey plans to invest $1 billion in climate tech, aiming to position the state as a global leader. She discusses the potential for economic growth, job creation, and clean technology innovations, while expressing concerns about former President Donald Trump's impact on climate initiatives.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans to invest $1 billion in climate tech to boost the state's economy and create 34,000 new jobs.
Governor Healey stresses the urgency of sustaining climate-focused policies and investments amid concerns of the potential impact of former President Donald Trump's return to office.
Deep dives
Investing in Clean Technologies and Climate Tech in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy has committed to investing $1 billion over the next decade in climate technology, aiming to position the state as a global leader in decarbonization efforts. The state has already seen success in clean technology ventures, with companies developing green steel, green cement, electric hydrogen, and renewable energy solutions. Governor Healy emphasizes the significant return on investment, estimating a 12 to 1 ROI with the proposed billion-dollar plan generating $16 billion in GDP and creating numerous jobs.
Influencing Legislators and Emphasizing Job Creation
Governor Healy stresses the importance of educating lawmakers on the economic potential of climate tech, highlighting the $33 billion clean energy industry in Massachusetts and the need for scaling innovative technologies globally. Addressing concerns about job displacement, she presents climate tech as a substantial job creator, estimating the creation of 34,000 new jobs in Massachusetts. By collaborating with labor and emphasizing workforce development, the climate tech initiatives aim to boost the economy while addressing environmental challenges.
Mitigating Risks Under Different Administrations
Governor Healy expresses concern over the potential impact of a return to office by former President Donald Trump, citing his pro-fossil fuel stance and skepticism toward climate initiatives. She underscores the necessity of maintaining climate-focused policies and investments to combat climate change effectively. Drawing distinctions between administrations, she advocates for continued support for clean energy and climate technology as pivotal elements in addressing environmental and economic challenges. Governor Healy emphasizes the bipartisan nature of clean energy investments and the urgency for collective action in the face of climate change impacts.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey says climate tech is all opportunity, no hype. That’s why she wants to pour $1 billion into the sector over the next decade, along with as much federal money as she can get from President Joe Biden’s climate legislation. On POLITICO Tech, Healey joins host Steven Overly after speaking at The ClimaTech Conference this week to defend her bet on climate tech and explain why she fears former President Donald Trump could undermine it all.