12 Point Massachusetts Climate Emergency Plan

With change imminent in national energy policy, states must assume leadership in preventing catastrophic climate disruption. Taking this emergency seriously requires a World War II scale mobilization and a broad and inclusive base of support. Particular attention must be paid to the voices of those least responsible and most affected– the Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. Massachusetts can and should play a leading role by making an emergency transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030, with policies implemented by each state agency and involving every energy sector:

1. Accelerate the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy. Create and enforce a comprehensive energy plan mandating the achievement of 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030, relying mostly on solar and wind, with special support for community-based, owned, and controlled energy production.
   1. Require electric utilities to create resilient “smart” grids – both macro and micro.
   2. Require electric utilities to meet accelerated energy storage goals.
   3. Remove caps on solar net metering statewide.
   4. Restore retail net metering credit for community-shared and low-income solar.
   5. Require increased wind procurement to meet 2030 goal of 100% renewable energy.
   6. Increase the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to meet the 2030 100% goal.
   7. Prohibit new nuclear or biomass plants.

2. Incorporate climate justice principles. Climate change puts Environmental Justice (EJ) communities already suffering from environmental hazards at additional risk. They are disproportionately affected by fossil fuel pollution, and they are more vulnerable to rising temperatures and flooding from violent storms.
   1. Ensure EJ communities have a strong voice in all decisions concerning emissions reduction, renewable energy infrastructure, and disaster protection and recovery.
   2. Expand green job training, public transit and employment in EJ communities.

1. Reduce fossil fuel dependence in transportation.
   1. Require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to plan for an electric transport system servicing Massachusetts municipalities, including rail, bus, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, & complementary bicycle infrastructure; fund it by 2018.
   2. Increase subsidies and incentives for carpooling and EV ownership.
   3. Prohibit sale of new fossil fuel powered passenger vehicles in MA by 2030. Create a buy-back program for such vehicles, & incentives to make replacements affordable.
   4. Require the Commonwealth to “Lead by Example” by prohibiting state and municipal purchase of fossil fuel powered passenger vehicles by 2020.
   5. Implement a clean fuel standard for vehicles unable to be powered by electricity.

4. Reduce energy demand in building and construction.
   1. Require a new “Stretch Code” specifying that all new building be zero-net energy.
   2. Require that all appropriately sited new buildings be solar ready.  
   3. Require energy audits before sale/rental of buildings and display of the energy label.
   4. Increase incentives to retrofit existing buildings to approach zero-net energy.
   5. Require Massachusetts to “Lead by Example” by retrofitting all Commonwealth buildings to conform to the above standards, with benchmarks for progress.
   6. Transition oversight of MassSave to an entity without vested interests.

5. Prohibit new fossil fuel infrastructure.
   1. Prohibit new fossil fuel pipelines, plants, compressor stations, & export structures.
   2. Phase in decommissioning of fossil fuel electricity generation by 2030.

6. Continue alignment of MA investments with 100% renewable energy goals, by divesting the MA pension fund from fossil fuels.
   1. Mandate divestment of state funds from fossil fuel companies within 5 years.
   2. Require reinvestment in local clean, renewable energy.

7. Boost financing for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation.
   1. Use state funds and tax incentives to transition to 100% renewable energy.
   2. Create public/private financing (e.g. Green Bank) for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation projects.

8. Create/expand green jobs and economic opportunity.
   1. Create a comprehensive plan for clean energy technology manufacturing in MA.
   2. Ensure job training and reemployment of displaced fossil fuel & nuclear workers.
   3. Ensure that state programs offering financial incentives for increasing economic opportunity prioritize small, local, green businesses.

9. Accelerate fulfillment of required emissions reduction in all energy sectors. Require monitoring, with accelerated benchmarks, incentives and penalties.

10. Reduce/eliminate methane emissions.
    1. Provide benchmarks, monitoring & penalties for methane leaks from all pipelines, compressor stations, LNG liquefaction & storage facilities. Prohibit charging customers for lost gas.
    2. Provide incentives to reduce agricultural and landfill emissions.

11. Implement a fair carbon pollution fee and rebate program.

Implement a fair carbon pollution fee for wholesalers of fossil fuels, and rebate the fee in an equitable way to residents (especially to low-income residents) and businesses/organizations in MA.

12. Expand statewide public education campaigns to mobilize public support for the rapid energy transition.

Require the Department of Energy Resources to launch a “Make it Renewable, Make it Local, Make it in Massachusetts” campaign to mobilize support for a rapid renewable energy transition, and promote sustainable living and business practices.

Click on this link to download the .PDF file:   CAN12pointplan2016-dec-17

We’re working to make Massachusetts one of the first states in the Nation to pass a fair price on carbon. We’re members of the Massachusetts Campaign for a Clean Energy Future, a coalition of environmental, business, labor, and civic organizations that are working to insure that carbon pricing policies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the Massachusetts economy, protect vulnerable populations, and are fair to households, businesses, and institutions.

 
The 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act committed our State to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020; but right now we’re not on track to hit that target. There’s a simple way to get on track: put a fair price on carbon dioxide emissions. That way we can preserve our environment and strengthen our economy.
 
Economists agree that a carbon fee and rebate is an efficient way to reduce emissions. It works like this: the state adds a fee to every ton of greenhouse gas emitted. This fee raises the price of polluting and encourages everyone to shift to cleaner energy sources, without complicated regulations. Instead of keeping the money, the state returns most or all of it to us, the taxpayers. That keeps the economy healthy. The state can also set aside a portion of the money to do things like encourage clean energy, build green infrastructure, or repair public transportation, all of which create more jobs. Other countries have done this. For example, the Canadian province of British Columbia introduced an economy-wide carbon fee and rebate program in 2008. Since the program started, emissions in B.C. have dropped by 16%, while rising by 3% elsewhere in Canada. Since 2008, B.C.’s economy has also grown faster than the rest of Canada.
 
If Massachusetts puts in fair carbon pricing, we would be among the first states to do so. As in many other policies, we would be a model for the rest of the nation to follow. Two carbon fee and rebate bills have already been proposed in the legislature this session, by Senator Michael Barrett and Representative Jennifer Benson. Read on to see how you can help turn these into law.

Click here to find info on Carbon Pricing for Farmers 

You can download or look at a clear .PDF version of this document HERE 

http://climateactionnowma.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/carbon-pollution-fee-and-rebate-flyer-final.pdf

This is a CRUCIAL time for Massachusetts legislation.

Though we have passed the deadline for co-sponsoring House bills, legislators can sign on to Senate bills up until the time of hearing. Ask your legislators to sign on to the Senate bills endorsed by CAN NOW. 

  1.  Find  the contact information for your legislators.

Simply enter your zip code. 

                Click HERE  https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

2. Send a letter, including the list of the bills CAN endorses. Letters are always better than emails. Add a personal note.

   Click HERE for list of 2017-2018 Bills Endorsed by Climate Action Now, Western MA

Click HERE for sample letter to your representative or senator about these climate action bills

Send to [your representative’s name] 24 Beacon St
Boston, MA, 02133

3. Send an email.  

 Copy and paste the following section for your email.  

Dear Representative [PUT YOUR REP NAME HERE] 

Thank you very much for your past support for climate action. Climate change is accelerating faster than ever expected and our window to act is rapidly closing. With back-stepping by the federal government, it is all the more urgent that states like ours take definitive leadership on making the transition to clean, renewable energy and decreasing fossil fuel emissions. We need you to help mobilize the Massachusetts legislature to meet these challenges. I ask you to act swiftly to co-sponsor the climate bills in this package.

I ask that you personally take a leadership role in putting climate related issues front and center. I ask you to act swiftly to co-sponsor the climate bills in this package. Getting the whole package enacted will require legislators to not only co-sponsor the bills but actively work to get them enacted.  Climate Action Now will be rating legislators this session to allow constituents to see how strongly their legislators support the bills in our legislative package. As my legislator, I hope you will be one of those who will get an A+.
Thank you. 

[PUT YOUR NAME AND TOWN HERE] 

Climate Action Now, WM

 4.  Make a phone call to follow up on your letter and email. 

BONUS:  Amplify! Personally ask a friend in another part of the state to do this. Forward this page to them.  State action on climate is all-important now.

Thank you for TAKING ACTION!   Together, we are unstoppable.

************************************************************************************************

For a deeper dive into these bills, you can read the text   at https://malegislature.gov/Bills

We need to call our representatives early and often starting NOW, to let them know that climate must be a top priority.

This is a CRUCIAL week for bills in the Massachusetts Statehouse.    This is the beginning of the 2017-2018 legislation session, and all the new bills have been filed.   Right now, we the people,  who are concerned about the climate crisis, have a job to do:  Ask our senators and representatives to co-sponsor  2 carbon pollution fee bills.

Putting a price on carbon (also known as “Carbon Pricing” or “Carbon Pollution Fee”  is a proven way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  A portion of the money is rebated to individuals. In some schemes the fee is fully rebated to individuals; in others, a portion is put to use for mass transportation, green jobs, or green infrastructure like electric vehicle filling stations.

WHAT:   We each need to ask our senator and representative to CO-SPONSOR the bills.

WHEN:  ASAP, The deadline for the co-sponsoring is Feb 3, so we need to send our letters & call now.

HOW:    Part 1 –  Send a letter.  Instructions below.

HOW:    Part 2-  Also, please call!  

Instructions for letter:

 1. Get the name of your Massachusetts State Representative and State Senator.   If you don’t know, find out on this page by typing in your zip code:  https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

2. Find out if they supported carbon pricing last year.   Here is the list of representatives and senators who DID SUPPORT

3. If you found their name on the list, send them the THANKS-PLEASE-SUPPORT-AGAIN  letter.  Download  the letter by Clicking HERE and then print it.    We are thanking them for supporting the carbon pricing bills that did not pass last year, and asking them to support the new ones. 

4. If the name is NOT on the list , send them the NEW-SUPPORTER letter.  Download  the letter by Clicking HERE.  We are asking them to support the carbon pricing bills in this session

5. Write in “Dear [name]”  at the top

6. sign it  with your name AND address (so your rep knows that you are a constituent)

7. put in envelope and send it to

[name]

State House

24 Beacon St

Boston, 02133

Thank you for participation in this extremely important part of the climate change solution puzzle!

For explanations of the bills,  both of which include carbon pricing provisions that will help reduce the use of fossil fuels and spur growth in renewable energy sources.  

• Click here for info on Senator Mike Barrett’s bill, Senate Docket 1021

• Click here for info on Representative Jennifer Benson’s bill, House Docket 1504

• More info, including the text of the bills:  http://climate-xchange.org/massachusetts-campaign/about-the-bill/

  For a simple explanation of Carbon Pollution Fee and Rebate, please click  here to see our flyer

Please use your voice as a citizen of Massachusetts to advocate for Carbon Pollution Fee and Rebate.  Governor Baker has set up a public comment portal to collect citizen input on how to meet emission reduction rules as set forth in the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Please do this before Dec 15, 2016.

Public comments will be entered into the public record. You may comment anonymously or use your name.  Please do not use Climate Action Now for “3. Company or organization”;  it’s more effective to comment as an individual citizen.

Voice your support  for “carbon pollution fee and rebate as the most effective and efficient way to quickly move our economy away from fossil fuels and toward a renewable energy future.”  

(You can use these words, or make your own message.)

Link to public comments portal:  Click HERE

Instructions for portal:  Click HERE

A more detailed sample letter: Click HERE   (You can also send this complete letter to the governor’s office)

Learn more about Carbon Pollution Fee and Rebate with these 2  resources:

Overview of Carbon Pollution Fee and Rebate:  Click HERE

Climate X Change – Carbon Pricing Basics:  Click HERE

Rising up to meet this moment

Susan Theberge, CAN Newsletter Editor

Ready or not, we are called upon to meet this moment in history. What can we draw on as sources of strength, encouragement and resiliency? We would love to hear the thoughts of our readers. To get us started I offer a few reflections.

We belong to each other 
Let’s join together to protect each other from harm and create safety for those at risk. In doing so we deepen our trust and build unity across different struggles.

Care for ourselves and each other
We are in this for the long haul. We need healthy ways to cope when things feel overwhelming.  And relationships that support us and our work together.

We are stronger when we join together.
History teaches us that sustained mass action is our greatest source of power. Look to those who came before us for inspiration and courage.

Be guided by our love for this earth and the sacredness of all its inhabitants
Affirm the interconnection of all life and ground all we do in the principles of non-violent action.

Welcome others into the work.
Let’s find ways to connect with people new to this work and support everyone in finding their place. We can challenge ourselves to listen more attentively, hear more deeply, and respond with more kindness and understanding.

Incorporate climate justice into all our work 
Ground our work in justice, equity and the awareness that environmental justice communities are disproportionately impacted by the forces driving climate change, and are more vulnerable to and impacted by the results of climate change.

Accept leadership from those most affected 
Recognizing that our views, beliefs and perceptions are conditioned by our past experience and where we stand in life, honor leadership from those most affected by climate change in any particular situation.

Fierce love will save this place.
Climate Action Now is a home for everyone who wants to be part of building a vibrant, unstoppable climate justice movement. Please join us.

By Marty Nathan

An issue of worldwide concern is at stake in the drylands of North Dakota, where those opposing climate charge are supporting Native Americans from all over the country who fear for the loss of their water and sacred grounds and demand the respect for their treaty rights.

Thousands of people have gathered at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, bedding in recreational vehicles, tipis, tents, yurts and vans. The flags of different native American bands wave in the wind as residents of all ages and many ethnicities share food, outhouses, campfires, information, and work. They have come for a single purpose: stopping the building of the enormous underground Dakota Access Pipeline that will carry fracked crude oil from the Bakken Shale in North Dakota to Illinois and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. If this Dakota Access Pipeline is finished, 500,000 barrels of oil a day will pour through it to New Orleans for refining and shipping.

Paki Wieland, my friend for more than two decades, called me from Standing Rock. She is a retired social worker and former nun, a woman deeply devoted to peace and the rights of the poor. She has used her retirement to engage in all the social change that work had previously forestalled.

The encampment of Native Americans is led by the local Standing Rock Sioux and calls itself the Water Protectors. Its leaders put out an international call for help to stop the Pipeline which will run under the Missouri River just upstream from their water source. Any leak in the pipeline would destroy that precious resource and make their community unlivable. Such an accident could contaminate both the Ogalala aquifer underlying all land between the Missouri and the Rockies as well as the Mississippi River that the Missouri enjoins some miles south.

Further, the pipeline is being constructed through traditional Sioux burial grounds. On Labor Day construction crews invaded that sacred site. The Water Protectors’ attempt to stop the destruction met a heavy-handed response by local sheriffs and corporate private security who sicced vicious dog on peaceful protesters.

Paki had responded to the Water Protectors’ call, packing a few belongings into a friend’s RV and driving the 27 hours to Standing Rock. There she witnessed a profoundly moving display of unity among folks who have not acted together for decades, if ever.

For the first time in 140 years the seven bands of the Sioux Nation had come together physically and politically to oppose the pipeline. Navajo traditional runners made the trek on foot all the way from Arizona and a group of young people, ReZpect Our Water, ran to Washington. DC, to deliver a petition to President Obama.

The circle has widened beyond indigenous peoples. Five hundred religious leaders incensed by the inexorable violation of Native American treaties stood together in early November to protest the ongoing colonization that the DAPL represents. Non-native environmental activists have joined tribal members lashing themselves to the construction machinery. Money for the encampment has poured in from around the country.

Why the focus here? What is pulling these disparate groups together?

1. The call of justice and the rights of Native Americans to their land, communities and livelihoods is a major propelling force.

2. The destruction of precious aquifer and surface water, at a premium in the west, would be an irretrievable loss throughout the region.

3. Pipeline owner Energy Transport Partners has used corrupt insider tactics to gain access to the land, and federal oversight has been lacking. ETP has never performed an environmental impact assessment, has never negotiated with the Standing Rock Tribe and has continued with construction despite a joint recommendation from the Department of Justice, Department of the Army and Department of the Interior to halt.

4. The purpose of the DAPL, like its now defunct sister, the Keystone XL is to release to the world more fossil fuels to burn. The US is drilling too much oil and natural gas for domestic consumption, and prices are too low for fossil fuel companies to profit. They must reduce production and transport costs and send the excess oil to overseas markets. Yet the emissions from burning the DAPL oil pose a true threat to an atmosphere that already has absorbed enough carbon dioxide to raise world temperatures more than 1.5 degrees Centigrade.

We have the capacity to substitute the oil drilled in North Dakota with conservation measures and renewable energy. And for the sake of the Standing Rock Sioux and our own children’s future, we must.

There will be a standout in support of the Standing Rock Sioux on Nov. 29 in Springfield.

It will be a tough fight since Donald Trump himself is invested in Energy Transport Partners and its CEO donated to his campaign.

If you would like to support the Standing Rock Sioux, visit the website http://www.ocetisakowincamp.org/donate.

Marty Nathan MD is a physician at Baystate Brightwood Health Center, lives in Northampton, and is on the steering committees of Springfield Climate Justice Coalition and Climate Action NOW.

Published in MassLive: http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/11/showdown_at_standing_rock_siou.html

Urges everyone to break spiral of climate silence

I eagerly watched all three presidential debates, hoping climate change might finally burst onto the national stage. I was, of course, disappointed.

Maybe I was naïve to think that companies funded by oil and gas advertising revenue would entertain a discussion on global warming.

The media isn’t alone in avoiding this topic. According to Yale climate communication experts, we are trapped in a “spiral of silence” about climate change. Seven in ten Americans rarely or never discuss it, even though a majority is “worried” or “somewhat worried” about global warming.

After all, who wants to be the wet blanket bringing up such an uncomfortable and complex topic? Climate silence is real. Defense specialists acknowledge climate change as a major security threat; therefore, isn’t discussing it our patriotic duty?

Meanwhile, growing numbers of faith leaders urge climate action as a moral imperative as millions face displacement, hunger, drought, severe heat waves, flooding, wildfires and violent storms.

Big media is not telling the story, so we, the people must step up. I believe that when enough of us come to terms with the full implications of the climate emergency, our collective outrage will break grip of the bottom-liners who would rather have us passively accept climate chaos as our fate.

Each one of us can take action on climate today by breaking the spiral of climate silence.

Tina Ingmann

(Letter to the editor, published in the Hampshire Daily Gazette  November 2, 2016)