Innovative Green Companies on the Rise
ELM is very grateful to these up-and-coming green companies for their recent support: Waste Zero, Free Flow Power, Anbaric Transmission, and Just Energy.
ELM Welcomes New Board Members:
Bethany LeBlanc, State Street
Linda Orel, MACC
Matt Patsky, Trillium Investments
John Quealy, Canaccord Genuit
Greg Shell, GMO LLC
Rob Tuchmann, Wilmer Hale
Environmental Budget Hearing Held December 1st
ELM President George Bachrach testified at the December 1st environmental budget hearing before Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan and his Commissioners.
2011 Lawyers and Friends Event a Huge Success!
Over 150 attorneys, consultants, and other ELM supporters attended our Nov. 30 event, held at the Law Offices of Foley Hoag, Boston. Special guest Elizabeth Warren and our event speaker Sue Tierney both had important things to say.
Seth Jaffe of Foley Hoag elected Chairman of the Board of the Environmental League of Massachusetts
Seth Jaffe, a partner at Foley Hoag LLP and resident of Newton, Mass., was elected chairman of the board of the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) at its annual board meeting in November 2011.
ELM Labor Council Featured in Boston Globe
"Union members and environmentalists have not always seen eye to eye... Seeking common ground on a variety of issues, the Environmental League of Massachusetts and the AFL-CIO of Massachusetts plan to unveil today a new group called the ELM Labor Council."
ELM Launches New Labor Council
ELM strongly believes environmental issues need to be reframed as economic issues. We can be both pro-environment and pro-growth. If we wish to accelerate the path to clean energy and energy conservation, we must build new alliances with responsible corporate leaders and labor.
Jeremy Grantham on Resource Scarcity
We Can Avoid or Delay Catastrophe, But Probably Won't
Boston-based investment guru and environmentalist Jeremy Grantham's recent profile in the New York Times.
Bottle Bill Rally and Hearing a Huge Success!
On Wednesday, July 20, ELM participated in a rally and legislative hearing on the proposed update to the Bottle Bill. The hearing was an impressive success, with supporters of the bill largely outnumbering opponents and making effective arguments to bolster our case.
Congratulations to Grossman Marketing Group!
Congratulations to Corporate Council member Grossman Marketing Group for launching their new website ShopProgress (www.shopprogress.com)! This website is devoted to providing clients with US-made, Union-made and eco-friendly promotional products in an effort to promote fair labor and manufacturing practices. We congratulate them on this exciting addition to their company.
Good News for Environment in FY 2012 State Budget
Environmental priorities fared very well in the FY 2012 state budget released last night. ELM and its environmental allies celebrate their successful push for higher funding levels. This win sets a good foundation as we gear up for the FY 2013 environmental budget campaign.
Inconvenient Truths and Unintended Consequences
by David Begelfer and George Bachrach
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is more than a protector of the environment. It directly affects economic development. If developers cannot move projects forward within reasonable timeframes they may take their jobs and tax revenue elsewhere.
President George Bachrach's Message: “It’s the Economy, Stupid!”
As advocates for the environment, we need to understand the simple, transcendent issue of our time …”It’s the economy, stupid!” Government is in survival mode. Budget gaps yawn and the fiscal crisis is daunting. Too many of our fellow citizens remain unemployed. What can we do?
Massachusetts Clean Energy & Climate Plan for 2020: The Commonwealth’s 10 year plan to 25% emissions reductions
By Eugenia Gibbons, ELM Program Coordinator
On December 29, 2010, to the delight of environmental advocates across the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) set the state’s 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target at 25% below 1990 levels – the maximum allowed under the landmark Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA).
Advocates See Momentum on Bottle Bill
By Ken Pruitt, ELM Managing Director
For over a decade, advocates have been pressing for an update to the state’s most successful recycling and litter prevention law: the Bottle Bill. Year after year those efforts have failed, due to an aggressive industry-backed anti-Bottle Bill lobbying campaign. ELM and other advocates have been frustrated by the Legislature’s inability to update this important law, but this time we have more reason for hope than ever before. A recently-conducted poll revealed that 77 percent of the Massachusetts public supports updating the Bottle Bill to include additional containers like water bottles, sports drinks, iced teas, and the like.
ELM Board Member Profile: Tom Powers
By Marisa Hobbs, ELM Intern
Tom Powers has been President of the Boston Harbor Island Alliance since 2004. He has also been an ELM Director for five years. His past experience includes positions with USGen New England, Inc., the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, where he held various positions including Acting Commissioner. The following are excerpts from an interview with Mr. Powers.
ELM Working to Make Mass. Coal-Free
By Eugenia Gibbons, ELM Program Coordinator
Perhaps the effects of coal may not be as obvious as the blacked-out skies of a previous century, but the fact remains that coal is expensive, inefficient, and detrimental to the health and safety of the public and the environment. It is the most carbon-intensive source of electric generation and is one of the primary contributors to climate change.
ELM Hosts May 4 Lunch with Charles Fishman, author of “The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulant Future of Water”
Joining with our ELM Corporate Council member Peter De Bruin at State Street Bank, on May 4th ELM hosted a fascinating luncheon with Charles Fishman, author of the award winning book “The Wal-Mart Effect” and more recently “The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulant Future of Water”. “The Big Thirst” chronicles Charles's travels around the globe and his study of a precious and undervalued resource…water. From India to Australia to Las Vegas we seem to be getting it wrong.
Public Lands Closer to Real Protection
May 6, 2011 - The Legislature's Environment Committee voted in favor of the Public Lands Preservation Act (PLPA) this week. The similar bills filed in the House and Senate would set important restrictions on the removal of protection for conservation land owned by cities, towns and the state. ELM and other forest and park advocates testified in favor of these bills in March and we are pleased with the Committee's favorable votes.
Good News on the Environmental Budget!
April 26, 2011 - Today the House took up amendments to the House Ways and Means environmental budget that increased funding by a total of $3.9 million dollars.
ELM Celebrates Earth Day at the State House
Happy Earth Day! ELM and several other environmental organizations held an Earth Day celebration yesterday at the State House (even though Earth Day is actually today). We celebrated our success in solving many environmental problems in Massachusetts and urged the citizens and legislators present to make progress on others.
URGENT - Environmental Budget Cuts
April 13, 2011 - Today, House Ways and Means Committee released its recommendations for the FY 2012 budget and the environmental agencies saw additional deep cuts. Between FY 2008 and the House Ways and Means FY 2012 budget, the environmental agencies have been cut by 23%--almost a quarter of the environmental budget has disappeared!
In the News: ELM's Global Warming Solutions Project
Brownsberger Sets Agenda to End Fossil Fuel Addiction in the Belmont Patch
Green Budget Update
ELM and our colleagues are starting to make the rounds to talk with House members about the environmental budget. We met this week with new House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey along with two ELM Corporate Council members and Mass Audubon. We presented the Green Budget and our case for 1% for the Environment.
Protecting Public Natural Resource Lands
ELM Testifies in Favor of Public Lands Preservation Act
Massachusetts residents care enough about permanently protecting forests and parks for all citizens to enjoy that, in 1972, they voted to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to make it the law of the land.
Accounting for the True Cost of Coal
The Environmental League is working with our partners to phase out the burning of coal for electricity in Massachusetts. Doing so will help combat global warming, because burning coal releases much more heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than other fossil fuels per amount of energy produced.
In the News: ELM's Green Budget
State environmental spending is now less than one percent of the total Massachusetts budget, a troubling low for a state that has long prided itself on its environmental innovations and protections, a new analysis shows.
ELM Working to Make Massachusetts Coal-Free
Perhaps the effects of burning coal may not be as obvious as the blackened skies of a previous century, but the fact remains that generating electricity by burning coal is inefficient and detrimental to the health of the public and the environment.
House Chairs and Committee Members Named
In a big shake-up in the House, Speaker DeLeo named new committee chairs last Friday including a new Chairman for House Ways and Means.
Climate Change and Extreme Winter Weather
Are you curious about how this extreme winter weather is related to Global Warming?
Dr. Amanda Staudt, climate scientist with the National Wildlife Federation, has reported on how the climate crisis is causing extreme winter weather...
Community Preservation Act Conference
Saturday, April 2nd
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA
Governor Releases FY 2012 Budget
The Governor released his FY 12 budget on January 26th and as expected we saw additional cuts to the environmental agencies' budgets, although perhaps not as deep as anticipated. The Secretary thanked everyone who came to the budget hearings and advocated for 1% for the environment.
2011-2012 Legislative Session Begins
The legislative session begins in earnest now that more than 5,000 bills were filed last Friday...
ELM Legislative Priorities 2011-2012 Legislative Session
Mass. Residents Overwhelmingly Support Bottle Bill Update
According Mass Inc. poll, 77% of the public supports pending legislation to update the state's Bottle Bill, the 5 cent deposit on some beverage containers which has been in effect since 1983.
Senate Committee Chairs Appointed
Staff Changes at Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Faye Boardman was appointed as Chief of Staff at the Department of Environmental Protection. For the past two years, Ms. Boardman worked as EEA's Legislative Director and served as EEA's ambassador in interactions with elected officials, stakeholder groups, and members of the public. She previously worked as a Legislative Aide and as Fiscal Policy Manager for the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Commonweath Climate Leadership Summit a Great Success!
On January 7th, ELM hosted the Commonwealth Climate Leadership Summit. The event was part of the Global Warming Solutions Project, a year-long climate initiative supported by the Barr Foundation. More than 70 invitees convened at Suffolk University Law School for a day of collaboration and brainstorming about strategies related to energy efficiency, transportation, planning, and going coal-free.
EEA releases Clean Energy and Climate Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Last Wednesday, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles set the statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limit for 2020 required by the Global Warming Solutions Act.
Budget Update: Good News for Parks
Last week the legislature passed a $330 million supplemental budget for the current fiscal year that included a much-needed $2.1 million for DCR parks.
2010 Land Protection Report Now Available Online
In December, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs released the 2010 Land Protection Report. The report spotlights specific projects across the Commonwealth, describes agency-by-agency projects, and details historical land conservation data.
Sullivan Appoints Jack Murray as Commissioner of DCR
Rick Sullivan, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary-designate, appointed Jack Murray as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation effective January 3, 2011.
DCR Landscape Designation Comment Period Extended
As part of its Forest Futures Visioning process, DCR is adopting a new land designation system that will result in all DCR lands being designated as reserves, parklands or woodlands depending on their dominant characteristics and suitability. Because of the holidays and the snowstorm, DCR has extended the written public comment by one week - the deadline for written comments is now Friday, January 21st.
Public Lands Preservation Act Update
The Public Lands Preservation Act (PLPA) continues to be a legislative priority for ELM and the Environmental Collaborative. The PLPA would provide needed protection from development for our parks, playgrounds, conservation lands, watersheds, and other natural resource lands covered by Article 97 of the commonwealth's constitution. The PLPA will be refiled in January, and it is important to develop momentum for the bill by having a long list of co-sponsors.
Kenneth Kimmell Appointed Commissioner of DEP
On Monday, December 20, 2010, the Executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary-Designate Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announced the appointment of EEA General Counsel Kenneth Kimmell of Newton as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
ELM and 40 Others Co-Sponsor Wind Report
Sufficient wind exists off the Atlantic coast of the U.S. to generate up to 212 Gigawatts (GW) of electricity. So far about 6 GW of offshore wind projects have been proposed along the Atlantic coast (including Cape Wind, see above) - the equivalent of about five coal-fired power plants and enough to power about 1.5 million average U.S. homes.
Tremendous Potential Exists for Wind Power off the Atlantic Coast
Sufficient wind exists off the Atlantic coast of the U.S. to generate up to 212 Gigawatts (GW) of electricity. About six GW of offshore wind projects have been proposed along the Atlantic coast (including Cape Wind). These and other findings in a report co-sponsored by ELM.
MassRecycle 2010 Recycling Awards
MassRecycle, Massachusetts' statewide Recycling Coalition, has announced the recipients of their 2010 Recycling Awards, which acknowledge individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to recycling and waste reduction in Massachusetts.
Used Computers for Non-profits
Looking for a "new" computer? SEMI-NEW COMPUTERS sell refurbished computers to nonprofits.
Senator Brown Backs the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Senator Scott Brown has taken a leadership role in the Senate to advocate for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) by signing on to a letter with other Senate Republicans urging the Senate leadership to move forward to achieve full and dedicated funding for LWCF during the lame duck session of the 111th Congress.
Proposed Revisions to Biomass Regulations Letter
On Thursday, October 21st, ELM and six other environmental groups issued a joint letter to Philip Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), on proposed revisions to the Biomass regulations.
Natural Heritage Releases BioMap2
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and The Nature Conservancy recently completed BioMap2, an enhanced biodiversity conservation plan that updates and the original 2001 BioMap and the 2003 Living Waters plans.
Proposed Revisions to Biomass Regulations Letter
On Thursday, October 21, 2010, ELM and six other environmental groups issued a joint letter to Philip Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), on proposed revisions to the Biomass regulations.
MetroBoston Region Awarded $4 Million Sustainable Communities Grant!
HUD has awarded the Metro Boston region's Consortium for Sustainable Communities a $4 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant. This three-year grant will support a broad array of activities to implement the MetroFuture regional plan (developed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and its partners) and to advance equitable and sustainable growth in Metro Boston.
Breaking News! Cape Wind Receives First Offshore Wind Lease
Wednesday, October 6 - U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Cape Wind President Jim Gordon signed the first lease for an offshore wind farm in the federal waters of the United States this morning at the American Wind Energy Association's Offshore Wind Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
President's Message:
Tuesday November 2nd is election day. The outcome of this election will say a lot about who we are and what role government will play in our lives. Two key matters on the ballot rise above all others.
Trails Plan for DCR's Middlesex Fells Reservation Released
On Monday, September 20th, DCR presented a draft Trail System Plan for the Middlesex Fells Reservation. The Fells is a heavily used property in the midst of a densely populated area and there is a history of user conflicts and illegal trail use. In particular, mountain bikers have been urging DCR to open up more trails for their use, although the plan addresses other needs and uses as well.
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 ...
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.
Action Alert: Off Highway and Recreational Vehicles
Help Stop Illegal Off Highway Vehicles on Public and Private Lands!
From Mass Audubon: Illegal riding of off highway vehicles (OHVs - including ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles) on conservation lands causes tremendous damage.
Senate Budget Released
The Senate released its budget this past Wednesday. Overall, the Senate slightly increased funding for the environmental agencies when compared to the House budget....
ELM Corp Council Member Aggregate Industries Applauded for Green Effort
While reducing its own carbon footprint, Aggregate Industries Northeast Region Inc. in Saugus also is helping customers reduce theirs....
ELM Corporate Council members support Cape Wind
There are few issues as divisive among the state’s voters and politicians as the Cape Wind proposal to put up 130 giant windmills in the heart of Nantucket Sound. So it’s not surprising to find out that the state’s business community is also divided on the topic.
Global Warming Solutions Act: Draft Plan and Public Hearings
EoEEA has just released a draft Climate Implementation Plan and public hearing schedule, pursuant to the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act.
Senate Climate Bill about to Move
From the New York Times' Greenwire
Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) are planning to release their climate and energy bill as soon as next week even if they cannot win back their longtime GOP partner, according to a top Senate Democrat.
Salazar approves Cape Wind and the Nation's First Offshore Wind Farm
From the Boston Globe's Green Blog
In a groundbreaking decision that some say will usher in a new era of clean energy, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said today he had approved the nation's first offshore wind farm, the controversial Cape Wind project off of Cape Cod.
Environmental Budget Update
More than 800 amendments were filed seeking to revise the House Ways and Means budget released last week. Several amendments would increase funding for key environmental line-items...
House Budget Released
The House Budget was released on Wednesday and as expected there have been a number of severe cuts to environmental agencies.
TreeBay: Bid to Buy Our Environmental Assets Now!
How much is your environment worth to you? We're selling off Massachusetts' environment and its natural resources, one piece at a time.
ELM Corporate Council Member Saunders Hotels Chases Down Energy Efficiency
Sustainability certification and “green” initiatives are helping hotel chains like Sandals Resorts and Saunders Group Hotel save on valuable energy and water resources, while helping their bottom lines as more companies and consumers consider a hotel’s sustainability as part of their selection criteria...
ELM Releases FY2011 Green Budget
By George Bachrach and Nancy Goodman
Some argue we can do more with less. In truth, we can only do less with less. In FY ’01 the budget for environmental agencies represented a meager 1% of the state budget. In FY ’10 that percentage has dropped to .6%. We are moving in the wrong direction.
Green report spotlights in-the-red enviro budget
From The Green Blog on Boston.com
Less than one penny of every dollar spent in the state now goes to maintain parks, monitor toxic chemical use and ensure Bay State residents’ air and water are clean, according to the Environmental League of Massachusetts’ most recent – and depressing -annual green budget report.
Charles Baker's Views on Climate Change
As Massachusetts begins implementing nation-leading efforts to combat climate change, the Governor's views on this issue are crucially important. Recent statements by gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker raise serious questions.
Special Budget Update!
The Governor's FY 2011 budget was released on Wednesday, January 27th and as expected, the environmental agencies have been hit once again. The cuts amount to 6.4% on top of even more significant cuts the Governor made this fiscal year...
Gazebos & Gotcha
By George Bachrach
Brian McGrory is a very good columnist. But the recent column ("Structural Failing" Boston Globe Metro section p. 1, 1/27/10) is both unfair and frustrates and demoralizes good government employees and environmental advocates.
Major Energy Efficiency Gains on Tap for Mass
Electricity and natural gas providers in Massachusetts are poised to invest a whopping $2+ billion in consumer energy efficiency measures over the next three years, helping both residential and business consumers reduce their energy use.
Senators Change, Issues Remain
By George Bachrach, ELM President
ELM congratulates Scott Brown on his election to the United States Senate. We look forward to working with him and advancing public policy that will protect the environment. In the aftermath of the election, certain observations are important.
ELM Co-Sponsored an Environmental Forum
The four Democratic candidates for US Senate (Michael Capuano, Martha Coakley, Alan Khazei, Stephen Pagliuca) participated in a Forum on the Environment and a Green Economy on November 17th at noon.
Making the Climate Connection
ELM is pleased to announce that we recently received a significant grant from an anonymous foundation to build a broadly-based network of engaged and influential people from diverse backgrounds who share a common concern about the impact of climate change and who will take action to influence public policy over the long-term.
Utility Rates and Energy Efficiency
The objective is to create economic incentive for utilities and consumers to increase energy efficiency. Ultimately rates might increase, but consumption and bills would decline. The Attorney General has been skeptical of allowing rate increases and whether this would result in increased energy efficiency.
Inaugural Event: Luncheon Meeting
The ELM Corporate Council held its inaugural meeting over a lunch hosted by Council Member Legal Sea Foods on October 8, 2008.
Greening Boston Taxis: Gas Guzzlers or Hybrids
With support from the Cook Trust, ELM has partnered with the City of Boston in their efforts to convert Boston’s taxi fleet to fuel efficient hybrids. In 2008, ELM President George Bachrach testified at city hearings on taxi rate increases arguing that rate increases required a better (and greener) ride. Bachrach also wrote a Boston Globe op-ed piece in support of the city’s efforts.
Rural casinos leave a huge carbon footprint
IF YOU'D like to get a glimpse of Governor Deval Patrick's vision for "destination" casinos, take a virtual trip south of the border to Foxwoods, somewhere in the wilds of southeastern Connecticut.
ELM's Corporate Council Member Receives Energy Star Award
ELM Corporate Council member Tufts Health Plan has received, for the fifth consecutive year, the EPA's Energy Star Award for steps the company is taking to reduce its carbon footprint. Tufts Health Plan was the only health insurer among 44 companies in Massachusetts to be recognized with a 2010 Energy Star rating.