Elizabeth Mahony, Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner

DEEP DIALOGUE

MONDAY, APRIL 29

4 - 5:30 PM On Zoom

Zoom link:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83538742353?pwd=YUU5QU16VVlDMExOMmlPSWVwTG9xUT09

Social Cost of Carbon and Massachusetts Climate Policy

What is meant by the social cost of carbon? Why is it needed - and how is it calculated? How has it been used in the U.S. in establishing federal policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? How is it being used in Massachusetts to support our emissions targets? What are the limitations of the social cost of carbon and are there alternative approaches that could be used?

Tony Rogers and Roy Harvey - engineers, climate advocates, and members of the ECA research team - will explore this important but often overlooked topic at our April Deep Dialogue.

Arnie Epstein

A recent discussion on our Google Group list of active members caused a number of people to ask to opt out of that list.

If you asked to unsubscribe, we did take you off the Google list, but we suspect that a number of people only wanted to get out of that particular discussion. If you did not intend to completely drop off the list for all our meeting announcements, Action Alerts, etc., please email Dawn Edell, who handles our database and ask to be added back into the Google Group of activists. Our apologies for this cantankerous point in our usually smooth-running list.

Maiyim Baron

It’s budget month on Beacon Hill, so most other legislative work is on hold as our representatives and senators haggle over our tax dollars and compete for funding for their pet projects. The Legislative Team, however, never sleeps. Our working groups are plotting strategy for moving the bills that address our policy priorities and continuing to monitor the work of the Healey administration committees, commissions, and departments.

Energy Infrastructure Siting

The Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting just issued its findings, which are likely going to lead to some revision of the siting bill that is in House Ways and Means. The siting issue poses several challenges: balancing the need for rapid expansion of a renewable grid with the interests of municipalities, especially environmental justice (EJ) communities, and defining the role for cumulative exposure to the adverse impacts of energy generators, substations, and power lines in siting decisions. Reflecting the concerns of the EJ table, a bill filed by Rep. Maduro includes a right for the Energy Facilities Siting Board to deny a permit to any project proposed for a community that has had more cumulative impact than other communities in the state.

The Legislative Team is studying the commission report and a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists on the inequitable distribution of polluting and damaging energy infrastructure. We will be working with our allies to shape a final bill that meets both the need for grid expansion and the right for EJ communities to refuse projects that may adversely impact the environment and wellbeing of communities that have historically borne the brunt of pollution from energy facilities.

Need for Drought Planning

Our Natural Solutions Working Group is aiming to build support for the Drought Bill filed by Rep. Meschino and Sen. Eldridge that has made it to Senate Ways and Means. They are working on amplifying the message the two legislators sent to Globe readers in a recent op ed that calls for expanding drought planning authority from the local to the regional level.

Future of Clean Heat

We will be seeking support from our allies for a letter to the chair of Senate Ways and Means calling for passage of the Future of Clean Heat bill. Senator Creem recently chaired a hearing on the bill that included testimony in support of the bill from advocates and others. One focus is on paving the way for gas utilities to move into the networked geothermal business, digging wells and laying pipe to provide clean, efficient heat to whole neighborhoods.

Mass Save Reforms

The Mass Save Reform Coalition that ECA Mass is in will be reviewing the recently released draft plan from the utilities and preparing to speak out at upcoming hearings on the shortcomings we identify. The plan includes several positive proposals for improving access to Mass Save, expanding eligibility for full coverage of most of the costs of electrifying the homes of lower income residents, and offering comprehensive navigation and coaching support to customers challenged by the complexity of program offerings and of decisions involved in retrofitting buildings. However, the plan does not effectively address the need to start moving our buildings off gas, and the coalition will be making some recommendations to deal with that concern.

If you would like to learn more about what the Legislative Team is doing, or offer some of your time and talents to our effort, contact Roger Luckmann (roger.luckmann@umassmed.edu) or Tina Grosowsky (tgrosowsky@gmail.com).

Roger Luckmann

Save our Democracy - Check out These Volunteer Opportunities to Help Get Out the Vote

Our parent organization, Elders Action Network (EAN) is part of a broad national coalition of civil rights, environmental, and public service organizations that have successfully mobilized key voting groups, including people of color, women, environmentalists, and young adults. We base our action strategy on a hopeful premise – if we allow voters to vote, they will do the right thing. Thus, we must be part of the voice in society that stands up strongly for that basic freedom. 

Whether you have an hour to spare or can make a more extensive time commitment, we need your help.

Here’s where we need help:

Promote the Environmental Vote

Help organize environmental outreach through our national Promote the Vote initiative.

Participate in environmental voter phone banks and postcard writing initiatives to low-voting, strong environmentalists. This is a proven program for strengthening the power of environmentalists, building on a successful five-year partnership with Elders Climate Action, Elders for Sound Democracy (ESD), and the Environmental Voter Project. See here for more info and a link to volunteer.

Promote the Youth Vote

This Spring, EAN Elders will continue to partner with The Civics Center to help make voter registration part of every American high school experience. Registering more high schoolers means increasing the youth vote – over 80 percent of registered 18-year-olds vote, but fewer than 30 percent are registered. By committing 5-10 hours a month to our Promote the Youth Vote campaign, elders can (1) help connect school staff and students with online training and resources to conduct voter registration drives, (2) send letters to parents promoting youth voter registration, and (3) promote student-led, adult-advised voter registration drives. To be part of the team or for more information, contact Therese Flaherty at theresef@eldersaction.org.

State Get Out the Vote Teams

One of ESD’s most important resources are our state voting rights teams that conduct innovative voter empowerment work in key states. We are actively organizing in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Wisconsin and are considering several additional target states. 

We are looking closely at what influences elections in the communities and districts with a recent history of close elections and the potential to swing either way. We then can craft Get Out the Vote messages that relate voting to prevailing public concerns such as gun safety, reproductive health, minority and youth rights, environmental stewardship, and the survival of democracy. 

We need volunteers to do the research and then help plan and execute our voter outreach campaigns. As a virtual organization, team members can live anywhere and participate in one of our priority states.

As a virtual organization, team members can live anywhere and participate in one of our priority states. Please get in touch with one of us for more information, using the emails below.

Arizona: John Sorensen, johns@eldersaction.org 

Georgia: Joffre Baker, joffrebaker@gmail.com

Florida: Paul Dryfoos, pauld@eldersclimateaction.org

Wisconsin: Linda Warner, lindaw@eldersaction.org

All other states: John Sorensen, johns@eldersaction.org

Paul Dryfoos, Elders Action Network

In late March, the Mass Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs launched their new climate education media campaign, Everyone Can Take Climate Action. ECA Mass members have been advocating for a campaign like this for several years to educate the public about global warming, climate change, and the resources that are available in Massachusetts to address this growing crisis.

The campaign states:

In Massachusetts, we are experiencing the effects of climate change first-hand. If we work together, we can do something about it. Massachusetts has a climate action plan with ways for every person, business, city, and town to make a difference. No matter where you live, how you get around, your job, your family, or your budget, we can all help protect our communities, save energy, and save money.

The campaign is divided into four main components: In Your Home, On the Go, From the Sun, and In Your Yard. Resources for electrification are also provided. The campaign will be shared on bus and transit ads, social media and online. Please share it with your local town government, local environmental organizations, newspapers and social media!

You can see the link to the state campaign here.

Tina Grosowsky

DPU Commissioner Staci Rubin spoke to the March ECA Mass hybrid chapter meeting about DPU policy, strategy, and plans for clean energy. The DPU will be holding road show listening sessions. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is on the road and holding public meetings - and they want to hear from you, the public.

From the DPU website: These Road Show events are an opportunity for the Department to engage directly with the public. Our three Commissioners, who oversee the Department, will give a presentation outlining the work that the Department does and our recent successes. Following the presentation, the Commission will take comments from the public. These events are free and open to all Massachusetts residents.  

Upcoming meetings:

• Salem: May 29, 2024, 6 - 7:30 PM at Salem City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970 
• Pittsfield: July 24, 2024, 6 - 7:30 PM at Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201
• Quincy: September 25, 2024, 6 - 7:30 PM at Quincy City Hall,1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169  

You can register here.

Tina Grosowsky

ECA Mass has a new member on our Leadership Team. Since 2008, Launa Zimmaro has been active on a range of social, political, and climate-related issues at the local, state, and national level. She joined the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA) shortly after retiring from a 35-year career as an elementary school educator and principal. As a Legislative Specialist for the LWVMA Legislative Action Committee, her focus was on money in politics, climate change and energy. Other state level positions include two terms as a member of the Massachusetts Sierra Club Chapter Executive Committee, an elected position she held for four years.

Rick Lent