Taxpayers in Massachusetts currently fund statewide energy efficiency programs, but policymakers lack the tools to track who is being served by the programs and how they have impacted local communities. A new piece of Green Justice legislation, approved by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy (TUE) on January 24, would change that.

“We applaud the Committee for its role in advancing transparency and increasing access for previously underserved communities,” said Staci Rubin of Alternatives for Community & Environment, a member of the Green Justice Coalition (GJC). The GJC has, since 2008, worked with utility companies and state agencies to address inequities in state efficiency programs and address job quality standards. “We are encouraged that the bill aims to provide equitable access to efficiency programs for hard to reach communities, including low-to-moderate- income homeowners and renters, residents whose primary language is not English, and small businesses.”

The bill, “An Act Further Promoting Energy Efficiency and Green Jobs,” mandates public accountability in Massachusetts’ energy efficiency programs and would establish a new Oil Heat Energy Efficiency Fund.

“This bill, which ensures funding for weatherization projects, will not only help the environment, but will also create exciting new job opportunities for the struggling communities that need them most, " said Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Medford)

“We need to make sure that ALL communities are able to access the benefits of our energy efficiency programs and the jobs that come with them. Massachusetts has done a great job promoting energy efficiency and creating jobs in the green economy over the past few years. Our next challenge is to ensure equitable access for all to these important programs,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton).

In 2008, the Green Communities Act and Global Warming Solutions Act established a clean energy mandate and far-reaching global warming pollution reduction requirements in Massachusetts. Current efficiency programs, intended as key means for achieving these targets, do not effectively address barriers to participation faced by hard-to-reach populations or provide sufficient safeguards for workers. New data collection procedures will ensure fairer access to efficiency measures and jobs created by these programs.

“Getting more information on where and what kind of jobs are created will help us target underserved areas and ensure that all communities get access to good quality green jobs in the energy efficiency sector,” said Rich Rogers, Secretary Treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council and the chair of Community Labor United.

The pending legislation merges a proposed act on weatherization and green jobs, sponsored by Rep. Carl Sciortino and Sen. James Eldridge with a second creating cost-savings and energy efficiency for oil heat customers, sponsored by Rep. Frank Smizik (D-Brookline). The combined (“omnibus”) bill will now be sent to the House Ways and Means Committee. Under the omnibus legislation, utility companies that administer energy efficiency programs will submit annual reports specifying for each zip code the number of participants served, efficiency measures provided, dollars spent, energy savings per measure and number of rental units served.

The GJC thanks Chairs Sen. Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) and Rep. John D. Keenan (D-Salem) and other TUE committee members for their contribution in moving the bill forward, and extends heartfelt gratitude to lead sponsors Rep. Sciortino and Sen. Eldridge.

“We look forward to working with the Ways and Means Committee, House leadership, and members of Massachusetts legislature to enact this bill swiftly,” concluded Alex Papali of Clean Water Action, a GJC member. “We all need access to reduced energy bills, comfortable homes and the jobs created in expanding these programs.”

About the Green Justice Coalition (GJC)

The GJC is a statewide partnership of over 50 community and environmental groups, labor unions and other organizations that support a sustainable, equitable, and clean energy economy. In December 2008, the GJC launched a campaign to bring residential energy efficiency upgrades and jobs to the state’s low-income communities and communities of color, which have been overburdened by our unsustainable economy. We want to ensure that these communities are at the forefront of our region’s emerging green economy. We are committed to the struggle for high-quality local jobs and healthy, safe communities.

Green Justice Coalition is convened by Community Labor United (CLU). The Coalition steering committee includes:Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE), Alliance to Develop Power (ADP), Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN), Boston Workers’ Alliance (BWA), Chelsea Collaborative, Chinese Progressive Association, Clean Water Action, Coalition Against Poverty/Coalition for Social Justice (CAP/CSJ), Greater Four Corners Action Coalition,Laborers’ New England Regional Organizing Fund, MassCOSH, Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance,Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts, New England Council of Carpenters, New England United for Justice, Painters & Allied Trades DC35 and Project RIGHT.