It's a busy couple for weeks for the legislature! |
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Action Alert: Testify on July 17th & 19th on Behalf of Establishing A Zero Carbon Renovation Fund to Equitably Decarbonize Our Built Environment
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From Massachusetts Climate Action Network |
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A $300 million Zero Carbon Renovation Fund would provide the down payment necessary to jumpstart zero carbon renovation projects across the Commonwealth, identify best practices, scale proven approaches, and lay the foundation to cut carbon emissions as we transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels and work to meet the Commonwealth’s ambitious climate goals. We must advocate together either through written, virtual or in-person testimonies of support of this critical legislation on July 17th and 19th. In order to support you in the registration process and to cultivate your comments, the ZCRF coalition has put together a comprehensive toolkit.
The ZCRF coalition is also hosting a workshop on written and public comment drafting for the legislative hearings on Thursday, July 13th at 6 PM.
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Save Mass Save!
Two bills to restructure
are up for hearings in the next couple of weeks
There are currently two bills up for hearings in the MA State Legislature proposing a restructuring of Mass Save, taking it out from under utility control.
This is a moment we've been advocating for for a long time!
Despite its high ranking among energy efficiency programs across the country, MassSave has not been successful in being accessible to everyone. Long-standing problems with the program include trouble getting an audit scheduled, finding a participating contractor, finding information on energy efficiency incentives, getting the rebates you’re owed and understanding interconnected agency processes for lower income customers as well as a lack of meaningful incentives for renters that can truly help cut demand for heating.
Both Senate bill S.2082 and House bill H.3160 call for a Board of diverse stakeholders and Executive Director to run MassSave, instead of leaving our energy efficiency programs in the hands of the for-profit utility companies.
Hearings for both these bills are scheduled separately for the House and Senate members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy on July 13, 17 and 19th.
These hearings are held both in person and virtually. See dates, times and locations, as well as testimony registration deadlines, under each bill on our info-post on No Fracked Gas in Mass.
Right now it's REALLY important to have legislators sign on to co-sponsor the bills. Please contact your legislators by July 13, asking them to support these bills!
to ask your Massachusetts State Legislators to co-sponsor the bills.
Get your testimony ready for the hearings. You're only allowed 3 minutes to speak, but it's important for lots of people to chime in and let legislators know our experiences trying to work with MassSave and why things need to change.
Written comments can be any length!
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Tomorrow!
Support the Clean Heat Standard Bill, H.3694
From Green Energy Consumer's Alliance
A Clean Heat Standard is a policy by which projects that reduce a buildings emission earn “Clean Heat Credits”, by installing insulation or switching from fossil fuel heating to a heat pump.
It would require gas utilities, heating oil dealers, and propane dealers to either help their customers reduce their emissions, buy Clean Heat credits from building owners who reduced their emissions or pay into a fund the state would use to help low-income households reduce their emissions.
This bill would play a critical role in helping the state reduce its building emissions by providing households and buildings with incentives to move away from fossil fuel heating.
You can send written testimony to the Committee or speak at upcoming hearings.
Wed July 12th at 1 pm, Senate members of the TUE Committee meeting
Thurs July 13th at 10 am, House members of the TUE Committee meeting
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Clean Energy Infrastructure, Environmental Justice, & Community Needs |
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From Massachusetts Climate Action Network |
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“Clean Energy Infrastructure, Environmental Justice, & Community Needs” will include a blockbuster panel of key members of the MA administration and the Attorney General’s Office as well as Greenroots and members of Prince Lobel and Tye. The panel will discuss critical questions for our clean energy transition and touch on the need for necessary reforms that are needed to advance environmental justice.
Thursday, July 20th, 2023
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Opens Inquiry to Enhance Inclusivity, Participation in Energy Proceedings |
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The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has opened an investigation focused on increasing public awareness of and participation in DPU proceedings. Through this investigation, the DPU will explore opportunities to increase stakeholder engagement and ensure that—regardless of English proficiency—all people have been provided with the same opportunity to participate in our proceedings.
Over the course of the last year, the DPU, in collaboration with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), has been developing an agency specific environmental justice strategy, consistent with EEA’s Environmental Justice Policy and the comprehensive climate legislation recently signed into law. The DPU has opened this investigation as part of these efforts to explore new strategies to boost community outreach and increase participation and engagement in our proceedings. DPU is seeking broad public engagement.
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BEAT is Hiring!
Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is seeking a collaborative, responsive, and effective strategic thinker for Deputy Director.
This is a leadership position with tremendous responsibility within our organization.
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For even more environmental news, info, and events, check out the latest newsletters from our colleagues at Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)! |
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