Discover our mission, values, and leadership.
Explore benefits that power your success.
Browse our network of businesses.
Explore opportunities to connect and grow.
Don’t miss our upcoming Government Affairs Forum with Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg.
12/09/2025
9:45am - 11:00am
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Take advantage of exclusive perks and programs for members.
Browse our directory to find and connect with member community.
Join experiences that build relationships and spark ideas.
City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.
Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.
The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.
Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.
The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.
Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.
Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.
Join us at our next Foundation event.
September 25, 2025
Representative Christine Barber Chair, Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 24 Beacon St., Room 167 Boston, MA 02133
Senator Rebecca Rausch Chair, Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 24 Beacon St., Room 215 Boston, MA 02133
RE: Business Opposition to House Bill 1014/Senate Bill 588 An Act establishing a climate change superfund
Dear Chairs Barber, Chair Rausch and members of the Committee,
The undersigned businesses and associations – representing virtually every aspect of Massachusetts economy – write to express our strong opposition to House Bill 1014 and Senate Bill 588 “An Act establishing a climate change superfund.”
If adopted, this legislation would impose sweeping retroactive liability on fossil-fuel companies in an attempt to fund climate change adaptation projects. The companies subject to the legislation would be assessed payments based on their estimated impact as determined by a climate-cost study assessing the economic repercussions of emissions within the state. It would create a system that levies retroactive fees solely against one segment of the economy – the fossil fuel industry – for activities that were and remain legal, but the impact would be felt by almost every sector of the business community.
Most alarming is the fact that the legislation could significantly increase the costs of living and doing business in Massachusetts to a degree that could devastate the commonwealth’s economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform recently analyzed the proposal and determined that this legislation could significantly raise prices for Massachusetts residents. The report determined that for every billion dollars in fees assessed under the bill consumers would pay $167 more in transportation costs, $61 more in pass-through costs from business and $41 more in electrical bills, totaling $276 per household. Last session’s version of the legislation proposed a $75 billion fee which would create an average household burden of $20,682 on Massachusetts families at a time when affordability is the primary issue in the state.
A recent study of similar legislation proposed in California conducted by the California Business Roundtable also determined that the climate superfund charges would ultimately be passed along to the consumer though significantly higher prices for gasoline, natural gas, and electricity.2 This study concluded that the California proposal would increase the annual household burden on families up to $3,400 with the sharpest impact falling on renters and low-income residents. Gasoline prices would rise by 43 percent and natural gas rates would increase 117 percent for industrial users and 52 percent for households.
The Healey Administration as well as the House and Senate have wisely made the cost of living a central part of policy decisions this and last session. Adopting this legislation would singlehandedly undermine all those efforts. The steep spike in energy costs could cripple industries like manufacturing, trucking, logistics, and construction, among others. Based on analysis done for similar legislation, Massachusetts residents could see double digit (percent) increases in electricity rates, which would make the state even more unaffordable.
We ask that you please put the consumers first when considering the merits of this proposal and not give this bill a favorable report. House Bill 1014 and Senate Bill 588.
Respectfully,
Brooke Thomson, President and CEO Associated Industries of Massachusetts
Greg Reibman, President & CEO Charles River Regional Chamber
Marc Brown, EVP Government Relations and Advocacy ` Consumer Energy Alliance
James E. Rooney, President & CEO Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Paul D. Craney, Executive Director Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance
Christopher Carlozzi, State Director National Federation of Independent Business
Tamara Small, CEO NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association
Karen L. Arpino, Executive Director NEHPBA
Peter A. Brennan, Executive Director New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association
Jon B. Hurst, President & CEO Retailers Association of Massachusetts
Kevin Week, Executive Director Trucking Association of Massachusetts
Popular Resources