July 26, 2022 • SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER!
Action Alert: Urge Gov. Baker to Sign the Climate Bill

From Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN), BEAT is an MCAN Chapter

Take Action: tell Gov. Baker to
sign the Climate Bill into law today!

With just 6 days left in the legislative session, MCAN is joining with the Mass Power Forward Coalition in calling on Gov. Baker to sign the climate bill into law TODAY!

Use this link to send a letter to Gov. Baker telling him that you support this legislation and want him to sign it into law before the end of the session. 

Last week, the MA House and Senate Passed H.5060, an act driving clean energy and offshore wind. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5060 While it is far from perfect, H5060 is an important step towards protecting our communities from some of the worst effects of climate change while meeting our required emissions goals.

Among other things, this bill:
  • Significantly enhances workforce development efforts in clean energy and ensures that these efforts center workers in impacted and disadvantaged communities;
  • Prevents wood-burning biomass power plants from qualifying for renewable energy incentives in the Renewable Portfolio Standard Program
  • Develops our offshore wind industry through infrastructure investment, job training, and a 5,600 MW minimum target by 2027
  • Allows 10 municipalities to pilot a requirement that all new buildings and major renovations be fossil-free (with some exemptions and a requirement that each of these communities meet the requirement of having 10% of their housing stock be affordable housing)
  • Enhances the State’s efforts to electrify our transportation sector by increasing EV rebates, calling on the MBTA to transition their fleet to 100% electric by 2040, and mandating that all new vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission starting in 2035

In order for this legislation to become law without further action from the Legislature, we need our Governor to sign the bill by or before Sunday, July 31st.

Tell Gov. Baker that our communities are too important and the climate emergency is too urgent to delay progress: sign the climate bill now!

Together we are powerful. 

With Gratitude,
Logan Malik
Clean Energy Director
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
State Environmental Justice Council
to hold first meeting

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is convening the Environmental Justice Council (EJC) for its first meeting on July 28, 2022, 9:30-11:30
 am. The EJC is appointed by the Governor to advise and provide recommendations to the Secretary of EEA on relevant policies and standards to achieve environmental justice principles that are recognized by state law.

As one of its first priorities, the EJC will conduct an analysis to ensure the definition of environmental justice (EJ) population achieves these objectives of environmental justice principles. 

The EJ Council operates under the Open Meeting Law which allows for public attendance at formal deliberative meetings. While the public is permitted to attend an open meeting, an individual may not address the public body without permission of the chair.


*Artwork above by Ricardo Levins Morales, rlmartstudio.com
Input sought from renters, landlords and organizations that work with renters

The Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) is looking for feedback from renters and organizations that assist renters.

In an attempt to reach more renters and landlord, the Mass Save Program Administrators (representatives of the utilities that run the program) have filed a Draft Strategic Renters Plan. EEAC needs to make recommendations regarding this plan, and is looking for input from renters and organizations that assist renters (especially POC, non-English-proficient and low income households)

Among the goals outlined in the plan are 8 strategies:
Eight Strategies for Increasing Rental Unit Participation in the 2022-2024 Term
1. Target environmental justice communities.
2. Partner with first-time homebuyer courses.
3. Reach out to Commonwealth healthcare initiatives and organizations for potential partnerships.
4. Partner with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America.
5. Establish partnership with Residential Assistance for Families & Transition.
6. Create how-to-videos on energy efficiency.
7. Establish partnership with large statewide non-profit organizations.
8. Engage landlords directly.

These are detailed in the Draft Plan.

Reaching potential customers among renters, especially those in moderate or lower income, immigrant, POC, non-English proficient or environmental justice communities is a weak spot for Mass Save, and we found that some of the conclusions reached in their “Non Participant Study” missed key dynamics of these groups, including the need for basic pre-weatherization home repairs and the funds or ability to access funds to address them, the lack of time during standard working hours to schedule home assessments, the lack of a single point of contact to work through obstacles in completing the process and so on.

If you are a renter, landlord or an organization that assists renters in any way, please join one of the two Energy Efficiency Advisory Council Listening Sessions, or file comments in writing by email:

Opportunities for Input
   •   Listening sessions: The EEAC is hosting two public listening sessions at which you can provide verbal input.
   ◦   August 1, 2022, 6 pm-8 pm: You can register for this listening session here.
   ◦   August 17, 2022, noon-1pm. You can register for this listening session here
   ◦   If you plan to provide comments or to request interpretation at either of the listening sessions, please email Alissa Whiteman at alissa.whiteman@mass.gov in advance. 
   •   Written comments: You can also provide input in writing via email to
ma-eeac@mass.gov. Please provide written input by August 16, 2022. 
Office Hours to Prepare for
More Action
on the DOER Stretch Code

From MCAN

Last week, we had a powerful group of experts and advocates attend and speak at DOER’s Public Hearing in Westborough. Their comments were a testament to the efforts that we have made so far and our commitment to seeing a true net-zero building code that supports climate-resilient buildings.

However, the work to make our voices heard has just begun! DOER still has one more hearing coming up and it is more important than ever for us to get organized and make our voices heard.

To support you in making comments to DOER on the current specialized stretch code, MCAN will be hosting virtual office hours to build awareness, support, and confidence on making informed comments.

» Register here for our Virtual Office Hours on Monday, August 8th at 7:00 p.m.

At these Office Hours, experts and highly informed advocates will be in attendance to answer any questions you have and provide further insight into the details of the most recent code. MCAN will be providing multiple helpful resources for advocates to use while drafting their comments.

These office hours will be perfect to prepare you for DOER’s next in-person public hearing which will be held on Tuesday August 2nd @ 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m at Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169.

The hearing will begin at 5:30 PM, but MCAN and our allies will be showing up an hour early at 4:30 PM to participate in a standout calling for a true net-zero stretch code.


To learn more about our standout, please visit MCAN’s website.

I hope you attend this event and make your voice heard by the State and DOER. The time for action and a specialized stretch code that is truly net-zero is now!

With Gratitude,
Miranda D'Oleo
Better Buildings Campaign Director
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Reminder: MEPA Comment Period for proposed Eversource Pipeline
is Open until July 28th

Eversource moves forward in permitting process for it’s Springfield / Longmeadow “Reliability Project” pipeline
and meter station

Comments may be submitted my email to alexander.strysky@mass.gov or via the MEPA Public Comments Portal.
Our Events Page is CHOCK FULL with more ways to engage!
Be sure to check the No Fracked Gas in Mass Weekly News Check-In. Published nice n' fresh every Friday. Look for the Subscribe option at the bottom of each week's post to get the news right in your inbox.
Homeowners, Renters, Landlords
Mass Save helps you save money by saving energy

Fill out the Online Home Energy Assessment at MassSave.com/OHEA

Or if you're a Small Business owner, call 844-887-1400.
Whether you rent or own your business location, you'll want to save money!

The cheapest, cleanest energy available is the energy we DON'T use!
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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Standing up to fossil fuel projects, chiming in on regulatory issues and promoting energy efficiency.

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