Baker, Cahill Would Review Greenhouse Gas Pact
From State House News Service
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, AUG. 30, 2010…..Gov. Deval Patrick’s chief rivals for the Corner Office declined Monday to embrace a multistate compact aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, raising the possibility that they’d pull Massachusetts out of the effort after four years of participation.
Who still opposes Cape Wind, and why?
From Political Correction Blog
In the recent Massachusetts gubernatorial debate, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) took heat from all three of his challengers over the Cape Wind project, a proposed wind farm in Nantucket Sound that would be America's first offshore wind power plant.
NSTAR Releases 2009 Sustainability Report
This online report highlights NSTAR's efforts to sustain a secure energy future, protect biodiversity and habitat, green their motor vehicle fleet, and minimize waste and recover resources. The report also details the company's environmental policies and compliance, carbon reduction efforts, air emissions, and water usage.
NSTAR and GE Electric announce creation of Smart Grid
The Massachusetts-based company is expanding its GE-powered "self-healing" grid project throughout its service territory to improve power reliability for all its customers. GE's smart grid technology automatically identifies the location of power outages, isolates faulty sections of the network and re-routes power from other sources, essentially "healing" the system.
Approve National Grid’s deal with Cape Wind
From the Boston Globe
After nearly 10 years of intense technical review, Cape Wind has received government permitting from an endless array of local, state, and federal agencies. Now the only question is whether it is cost effective. The answer is a resounding yes.
Let Green Power Energize Mass
From the Boston Herald
Today we stand at a crossroads in the debate over our energy future, and the choices we make will define the arc of American prosperity for decades to come.
End of Session Wrap-up
The formal 2009-2010 Legislative Session ended at midnight on July 31st. While there were a couple of high points, generally it was a disappointing session with many of our legislative priorities not making it to the finish line...
FY'11 Budget Update
You may recall that at the time that this year's fiscal budget needed to be finalized, Massachusetts had not received approximately $600 million in federal funding that had been anticipated and therefore Governor Patrick needed to make additional cuts to the budget including more cuts to the environmental budget.
Stop & Shop Boston store gets solar installation
From the Boston Globe
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. said it has completed its first solar installation in Boston, adding to seven other stores in the Northeast where it is already generating clean power, the company announced today.
Officials seek ways to boost appeal of the transformed Harbor Islands
From the Boston Globe
Purple and orange liquid used to ooze off the landfill on Spectacle Island into Boston Harbor. Today, the reclaimed garbage dump is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, with 5 miles of trails winding around green slopes, a Summer Shack serving up lobster rolls, and a sandy swimming beach with outdoor showers.
The March of the McMansions
From the Boston Globe
In countless Boston suburbs, the green movement and even the recession have been unable to halt the practice of demolishing Capes and ranches to make way for monster-size homes...
...According to Nancy Goodman, vice president for policy at the nonprofit Environmental League of Massachusetts in Boston, huge houses have significant environmental impacts, even if they’re more energy-efficient than the smaller houses they replace. “Everyone’s talking about energy efficiency,” says Goodman, “but there are other resources at stake."...
Green Firms Uniting to Flex Political Muscle
From the Boston Globe
Stonyfield Farm is slapping its familiar cow logo on more than just containers of yogurt these days. The New Hampshire-based organic food maker is one of more than 50 local companies to lend its corporate name to a political lobbying campaign aimed at persuading Congress to support climate and energy legislation on Capitol Hill.
Gubernatorial Forum a Success: Sharp Policy Differences Expressed
ELM and over 40 co-sponsoring organizations hosted a Gubernatorial Forum on Energy and the Environment the evening of June 29
A PBLN Special Event: Cape Wind and National Grid
How the New England Renewable Energy Deal of the Century Is Getting Done
Please join the Progressive Business Leaders Network
Wednesday, June 30th
8:00 - 9:45 AM at Akamai Technologies
for a special PBLN briefing on the technology, financing and partnerships behind America's first off-shore wind farm.
Baker Balks at Upcoming Environmental Forum
From the Boston Globe
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Charles D. Baker, who opposes Cape Wind and has sidestepped concerns about global warming, is skipping a candidate forum on environmental issues....
Cape Wind - DPU testimony by ELM Corporate Council members
The Environmental League of Massachusetts and six ELM Corporate Council Members submitted testimony to the Department of Public Utilties in support of Cape Wind and the further development of renewable energy in New England and the nation.
Action Alert: Help Stop Illegal Off Highway Vehicles
Senate Bill 2257, An Act Relative to Off Highway Vehicles, is now before the House Committee on Ways & Means. We need your help to get the bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote! Please call your State Representative as soon as possible. The bill may come up for a vote as soon as next week.
Good News on the Enviromental Budget
The Senate took up amendments to the budget last week and we have some good news...
Governor Patrick Designates 35 Green Communities
From the Boston Globe
Getting cities and towns to shift toward clean energy was such a cornerstone of the state’s 2008 energy legislation that the law is named the Green Communities Act.