massachusetts
Global Warming Pollution Fight Goes Local
Massachusetts’ landmark 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act requires climate-changing emissions in the state to be reduced in two stages. By 2020, the mandate is for 25 per-cent below 1990 pollution levels. Progress toward that goal is on track.

But meeting the next target, due in 2050, of achieving 80 percent reductions of 1990 levels could be much tougher. That is because the earlier 25 percent goal can be realized through measures, such as expanded energy efficiency programs, which are financially and politically easier to achieve.

For Massachusetts to meet the 2020 goals and also stay on pace toward the 80 percent target for 2050, additional bold climate emissions reduction measures need to be set in motion immediately. This requires nothing short of a vision-ary re-imagining of the state’s energy system.

To meet this challenge head-on, Clean Water Action and allies have launched a new Global Warming Solutions Proj-ect, which will work to make sure that the Commonwealth is able to deliver the kinds of changes needed realize the promise of the 2008 law.

Massachusetts’ three remaining half-century-old coal burn-ing power plants are among the most significant obstacles, according Clean Water Action and the Project’s other coalition leaders. Phasing the plants out of operation over time and replacing them with efficiency and clean renew-able energy sources such as wind and solar would remove these major sources of climate-changing pollution from the power grid. Residents’ health would also benefit, with the dramatic drop in toxic pollution that would accompany the plants’ closure. Phasing out the plants would also create new opportunities for a transition to clean, modern energy alternatives, bringing well-paying green jobs and keeping municipal tax revenues strong.

This transition will benefit from Clean Water Action’s expe-rience as a member of the Green Justice Coalition, which unites community groups, labor unions and environmen-talists in campaigns to grow the state’s green economy. For example, one clear path to meeting the Climate Act’s pollu-tion reduction goals involves focusing on economically disadvantaged communities. The Coalition is able to improve access to energy efficiency programs in these communities, and ensure that jobs created through public investments in efficiency are shared equitably and pay fair wages. Doing this will maximize the returns in both climate protection and economic benefit.

Clean Water Action is building a Steering Committee for the Project led by citizen volunteers from the neighborhoods and towns with the greatest environmental, economic and health protection stakes. This includes people in the Holy-oke, Salem and Somerset areas nearest to the old, polluting coal plants.

Contact Clean Water Action to learn more or get involved, 617-338-8131, ext. 208.

Massachusetts Moving Forward on Safer Products, Energy Efficiency

Momentum is building for success on Clean Water Action’s current priorities for the Legislature:

• The Safer Alternatives Bill – to create a program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives wherever feasible.
• The Electronic Waste Producer Responsibility Bill – to make manufacturers of electronic products responsible for financing effective recycling programs for their products.
• The Green Jobs and Energy Efficiency Bill – to improve data collection, jobs standards and access for low-income communities in the state’s energy efficiency programs.

Clean Water Action allies have organized top-notch testimony by staff and volunteer experts for well-received hearings on all three measures. The Safer Alternatives and Electronic Waste bills have recently been given favorable reports by the

influential Environment Committee, an important step forward. This bodes well for winning passage in 2012. The current legislative session continues until July 2012.