Bill Moving Through House Would Help Cyclists, Make MA Amazing!

If you ride a bike, and you are sick of huffing down fumes, call up your rep and tell them to vote for this bill.  Not only would it reduce significantly the amount of pollution you would be breathing in while you ride to work, it would be trans formative and amazing for the state.

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State Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), State Representative Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge), and State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) filed a bill today that would commit Massachusetts to obtain 100 percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources like solar and wind.

“As President Donald Trump takes office, this bill sends a clear message to officials in DC: Massachusetts is determined to keep moving forward on clean energy,” said Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts. “We’re proud to work with Representative Garballey, Representative Decker, and Senator Eldridge to move Massachusetts towards 100 percent renewable energy.”

The bill, An Act to transition Massachusetts to 100 per cent renewable energy (HD.3357), would require the state to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity generation by 2035, and phase out the use of fossil fuels across all sectors, including heating and transportation, by 2050.

“This legislation provides a bold step by placing the Commonwealth on a path to a cleaner and more sustainable future,” said Representative Garballey. “It encourages job creation, protects and sustains our natural resources, reduces our carbon footprint and would benefit the health and well-being of our citizens in immeasurable ways. More importantly, it signals to the country our commitment to long-term solutions in meeting the very real challenges of climate change, and lights the way for similar efforts across the nation. I am honored to have a staunch ally in Representative Decker.”

“I am energized by the goals and ideas laid out in this bill,” said Representative Decker. “This signifies a tremendous opportunity to put the environment at the forefront of our public policy discussion. Representative Garballey and I proudly represent constituents who strongly advocate for renewable energy and I am pleased to provide legislative support to their work.”

In recent months, major businesses, institutions, and cities across the country have committed to achieve 100 percent renewable energy. San Diego, the eight largest city in the United States by population, has pledged to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035.

This summer, the Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center profiled 17 cities and towns in Massachusetts that are leading the way towards 100 percent renewable energy.

The legislation filed today would require the Department of Energy Resources to set binding targets for renewable energy growth in all major sectors of the economy, and issue regulations to ensure that Massachusetts stays on track towards 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. The bill is designed to complement and strengthen the Global Warming Solutions Act, passed in 2008, which requires the state to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Additionally, the bill would increase the renewable portfolio standard (RPS), a state policy that requires utilities to purchase a minimum amount of their electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind, bringing it up to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035.

The bill also directs the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy Resources to conduct studies identifying pathways towards 100 percent renewable energy in transportation and the building sector, with particular attention to policies that can expand access to renewable energy and energy efficiency options for low-income communities.

In order to increase access to employment opportunities in solar, offshore wind, energy efficiency, and other clean energy technologies, the bill creates a Clean Energy Workforce Development Fund. At least half of the money from the fund must be spent to benefit residents of Gateway Cities, transitioning fossil fuel workers, and residents of environmental justice communities.

President Trump has stated that dismantling the federal Climate Action Plan is among his top priorities.

Massachusetts has often been among the top states in the country for clean energy policies, and was the first state to limit carbon pollution from power plants.

“Now is the time for Massachusetts to go big on clean energy,” said Hellerstein. “We’re excited to work with Representative Garballey, Representative Decker, and Senator Eldridge to advocate for the solutions we need.”

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Roll Against Coal! Bike Ride To Salem

Got this in the email, looks like an amazing event.

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Join us for a bike ride from Boston to a rally in Salem, to help shut down the coal plant that is Massachusetts’ 3rd largest source of carbon pollution, and put Massachusetts on a path towards 100% renewable energy!

Full info at http://bikesnotbombs.org/rollagainstcoal

RSVP at: http://members.greenpeace.org/event/view/3972/

WHY?
The Salem Harbor Coal Plant has negative impacts on people and environment. Salem Harbor is Massachusetts’ third largest contributor of carbon emissions, and damages local ecosystems through waste discharge into the air and the Atlantic. There are 100,000 people who live within 3 miles of this plant, and these people are directly impacted by the plant. In 2001 The Harvard School of Public Health preformed a study that estimated that Salem Harbor and its sister plant, Brayton Point, cause 159 premature deaths, 43,000 asthma attacks and upper respiratory irritation in 300,000 people across New England. Governor Patrick has expressed interest in shutting down the Salem Harbor Coal Plant, but the people of Massachusetts need to make this issue a priority for the governor.

The Roll Against Coal will show Boston’s solidarity with community groups in Salem (SAFE – Salem Alliance for the Environment and Healthlink) that have been laboring for more than a decade to shut down this obsolete and dirty plant. Building ties between organizations in Salem and Boston will be tremendously helpful in the fight to shut down Salem Harbor. An immediate result from the ride will be increased media attention to this issue.

WHO?
–> Greenpeace Boston is the lead organizer, and is currently campaigning against coal and for green jobs/energy. Shutting down Salem Harbor is a powerful first step to making a clean energy future a reality for MA.
–> Students for a Just and Stable Future is a student led volunteer network. One of SJSF’s primary goals is to take on dirty energy, and in MA, students are campaigning for 100% clean electricity in 10 years.
–> Bikes Not Bombs (BNB) uses bicycles in local youth programs and international development work, as a tool for environmental sustainability and social justice. BNB is co-sponsoring the Roll Against Coal.
–> Salem Alliance for the Environment and Healthlink are Salem environmental organizations that have been campaigning to shut down this plant, and will be organizing the rally to be joined by the Roll Against Coal.
–> You! You can join the ride or rally to help Massachusetts take the next step towards clean energy!

THE RIDE
On November 13th at 9:30 am, activists will meet at Seven Hills Park (behind Davis Square Station in Somerville). A light breakfast will be provided, cyclists will be briefed by campaigners and bike rally leaders, and at 10:00 am will begin riding towards Salem. Along the way, cyclists will stop at designated rest stops to maintain group formation, and meet with press. At 1:00 the cyclists will meet with local Salem activists for a rally in Salem Square. After the rally cyclists will return to Boston via the ferry and commuter rail (bikes are allowed on both).

Each cyclist is responsible for his/her bike, and is required to wear a helmet. Each cyclist should also bring snacks and water. Greenpeace will provide “Quit Coal” campaign t-shirts, flags to attach to bikes, and light snacks/water. Greenpeace has also designed a banner reading “Roll Against Coal” that will be displayed at the Salem Rally. Greenpeace will ensure that there is a mechanic, bike rally leader, and safety car to provide support to the cyclists.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
If you have experience riding in a group, either in Bikes Not Bombs teaching programs or otherwise, let us know. We’re looking to sign up experienced riders to lead and marshal the group.

CONTACT
Arik Grier – [email protected] – 617-522-0222 x100

David Lands – [email protected]

Elsa Sebastian – [email protected] – 907-738-8879

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