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CALL OR EMAIL TODAY!
MA State House Members Voting
on Climate Bill Amendments TODAY
House members are voting on those amendments TODAY, so send a message TODAY to VOTE YES on these key amendments that will make the bill stronger:
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Amendment 15 - filed by Rep. Barber, which would improve air quality in environmental justice communities
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Amendment 17 - filed by Rep. Owen, which protects communities and ratepayers from new large gas infrastructure
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Amendment 94 - filed by Rep. Saunders, which would help retain local control over siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure.
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Amendment 106 - filed by Rep. Sabadosa, which provides incentives for solar that is built on already disturbed land, instead of clear cutting forest or taking up agricultural land.
*You don't need to read the bill descriptions or include them in an email, just saying "Vote Yes on Amendments ..." and the numbers is enough!
VOTE NO ON 107:
Please ask your Rep. to VOTE NO on Amendment #107 that would allow alternative energy credits for biomass. Even though it’s for facilities that would employ emissions reductions, emissions from biomass are strong enough - even with reductions, that they shouldn’t be receiving any credits reserved for clean energy..
If you’re in Smitty Pignatelli’s district, be aware that he proposed this amendment. Please urge him to withdraw Amendment 107.
Not sure who your MA State Rep. is? Check here and punch in your zip code. Their phone number and email will be listed when you click on their name.
More on the process:
In June, the MA Senate welded together their version of an omnibus climate bill. Though there were good points to it, it left out some key Environmental Justice concerns that we’ve been advocating for, including prevention of new large gas pipeline expansion and plans for improving air quality in Environmental Justice Communities. After a couple of weeks of delay, the House finally released their omnibus climate bill and proposed amendments to make sure good provisions get included. After they vote on the amendments, a conference committee will work in the next couple of weeks on meshing the House and Senate bills together into a single climate bill that will go to the Governor at the end of the month.
Yes. This is terribly last minute, and the process is designed that way. That needs to change. But in the meantime, your participation is crucial.
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