MA Multi-agency State Sustainability Council

On July 23, Governor Jane Swift of Massachusetts signed Executive Order 438 creating a multi-agency

State Sustainability Council. The initiative is aimed at ensuring that state agencies consider environmental consequences of their actions and establishing sound environmental practices for state agencies. “We in state government must lead by example,” said Governor Swift in announcing the initiative. The measure builds on the Clean State Initiative (Executive Order 350), which was signed by Governor Weld in 1993. The State Sustainability Council, established through the executive order, will establish sustainability goals, recommend to relevant state offices sustainability priorities, and assist 16 state agencies in the development of sustainability guidance documents. The state sustainability goals will address such issues as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, minimization of solid waste and mercury emissions, and environmentally responsible design and construction of state facilities.