Jonathan Schrag, Deputy Climate Chief for the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, joins Climate Rising to discuss how the state is
tackling emissions, electrifying infrastructure, and responding to a shifting
federal policy landscape. Jonathan shares how Massachusetts’ newly created Climate Office coordinates across agencies—from housing to public health to corrections—to embed climate action into all corners of state government.
He discusses the state’s emissions targets, the role of
local municipalities in building codes and EV infrastructure, and the growing headwinds from federal rollbacks, tariffs, and canceled clean energy grants. He also reflects on market uncertainty, offshore wind, geothermal pilots, and the promise of small modular nuclear reactors.