Events

The MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) will present an Earth Day Colloquium on Wednesday, April 19 by Massachusetts state Senator Mike Barrett, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, on decarbonizing Massachusetts. Senator Barrett will discuss the ambitious 2030 Massachusetts goals for cutting carbon dioxide emissions and the challenges the state faces in meeting those goals. He will have a particular focus on the obstacles Massachusetts faces in offshore wind deployment. How does the state evaluate the progress thus far and adjust the plan to tackle any bumps in the road? A fireside chat and audience Q&A will follow the presentation, moderated by MITEI executive director Martha Broad. 

The event will also include a poster session featuring MIT research for a changing planet, where MIT students will share their research on water, food, energy, and the environment. The poster session is co-hosted by MIT Abdul Latif Jameel Water & Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS), MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI), and MITEI, and is part of Earth Month at MIT.

This event is sponsored by the MIT Climate Nucleus and open to the MIT community

Agenda

• 4:00-5:15 pm: Poster session featuring MIT student research on water, food, energy, and the environment in Ting Foyer
• 5:15-6:15 pm: MITEI Earth Day Colloquium on decarbonizing Massachusetts
• 6:15-7:15 pm: Poster session continues in Ting Foyer with reception and light refreshments.

About the speaker

Mike Barrett is the State Senator for eight communities in Massachusetts. As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, Barrett handles climate policy for the body. He also serves as assistant majority leader of the Democrats in the State Senate.

Barrett has been a chief architect of two major climate bills passed by the Legislature in as many years. In 2021, we saw An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, otherwise known as the Roadmap Act. Then 2022 brought An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind—the DRIVE Act.

He is a graduate of Harvard College magna cum laude and the Northeastern University School of Law, after which he clerked for the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Barrett is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. He is married, lives in Lexington, and is the father of twin daughters.

Accessibility information

MIT is committed to providing an environment that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you need a disability related accommodation to attend or have other questions, please contact us at miteievents@mit.edu.

MIT Event Policy

All MIT Event Policy rules in place at the time of the event will be adhered to. By registering, you acknowledge that you will follow MIT policy. Current policy can be viewed here.