Massachusetts Climate Coalition

The Massachusetts Climate Coalition is composed of dozens of groups that came together in 2001 to work to reduce global warming pollution from Massachusetts.

This has been a historic month for global warming and energy legislation. The House approved the Green Communities Act H.3965 on November 15th (PDF).

The bill is a strong next step on the road to climate-friendly energy progress in our state, by supporting energy efficiency through decoupling legislation and renewable energy with long term contracts.

And the bill was further improved with new amendments to:

1. Close any loopholes that might have left an opening for nuclear reactors to be considered “renewable” and therefore eligible for additional subsidies.
   
2. Remove Coal gasification from consideration as a renewable energy source.

However, there are still problems with the bill that need to be fixed as it moves through the Massachusetts Senate, likely to happen in January. Three important changes still needed:

1. Current legislative language treats coal gasification as a tier 3 energy source, eligible for funding. Coal gasification power plants should not qualify for additional subsidies and any new projects should sequester and store greenhouse gas emissions
   
2. Wind and hydroelectric projects were given permitted use in ocean preserves, which would go around the Ocean’s Sanctuary Act. Clean Water Action is a strong proponent of wind and other renewable energy projects, but environmental standards should still apply to renewable energy developments.
   
3. Funding to support new, clean renewable energy development should remain within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and not be tapped for any other purposes.

On a very positive note, S.534 The Global Warming Solutions Act, came out of the environment committee on Friday and will be going to a vote within the next two months. S.534 sets greenhouse gas emissions caps to 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050—based on recommendations by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This is great news and we need to let our state senators and house representatives know that we support this bill and it should be a priority to get it passed.

To make the call:

1. Find out who your State Senator/ Representative is if you don't know already. Look them up online at: www.wheredoivotema.com.
   
2. Make the call: Dial 617-722-1455 for the Senate Switchboard. Ask for the Senator's Legislative Director. You can also call your State Representative at 617-722-2000
   
3. Deliver your message. Here's a general message but to make your message stronger, tailor it to your Senator/ Representative:

"I'm a constituent of Senator/ Representative ________, calling in support of Global Warming Solutions Act. I urge Senator/ Representative ___________ to express his/her support for the bill and to make sure that the bill is not weakened.
(For Senators only) “It is critical that Massachusetts has a strong and effective energy bill. The Green Communities Act does a great job in supporting energy efficiency, but I feel some of the following changes should be made:

• Remove coal gasification as a tier 3-energy source and that any new proposed plants must sequester and store CO2 emissions.
• Renewable energy projects must adhere to the Ocean’s Sanctuary Act
• Keep Renewable Energy Trust funds in the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
  
4. Don't let your impact stop there; ask everyone you know in Massachusetts to call their Senator too.
   
5. After you call, let us know that you called and what you learned. Report to Lilah: lglick@cleanwater.org or call 617-338-8131 x209.

Thanks for making a difference!

For updates on these developing situations check the state updates section or contact:

Lilah Glick or Katy Krotinger at Clean Water Action
Ben Wright, Environment Massachusetts
Sue Reid, Conservation Law Foundation