A regional resource for Cape & Islands climate activists
June 21, 2021
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Joint Base Cape Cod Machine Gun Range Project Takes More Heat
Citizens, elected officials and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce have spoken...and now, it's your turn!
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‘Nonsensical,’ ‘Disingenuous,’ ‘Arrogant’: Public Slams Plan and Process of Proposed Machine Gun Range
By Eve Zuckoff, CAI, May 20, 2021
A tense meeting over a proposal to build a machine gun range on Joint Base Cape Cod ended tonight with the vast majority voicing their opposition to the project.
The virtual three-hour town hall, attended by more than 200 people, served as the first open conversation the Massachusetts Army National Guard has held since outcry over the project began in August.
“I don’t think you understand the impact that this will have across the entire Cape,” said Elizabeth Harder, Harwich delegate to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates. “No one’s against soldiers; nobody’s against training, but this is just not the right place for it.”
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Elected Officials Speak Out Against Proposed Machine Gun Range, Hint at Legal Action
By Eve Zuckoff, CAI, June 16, 2021
Local elected officials are emerging in droves to voice opposition to a proposed machine gun range on Joint Base Cape Cod.
In the last week, Barnstable County commissioners announced they would be exploring legal action, and a group representing 22 municipalities and 105 elected officials on the Cape and Islands added to the chorus of criticism. ...the commissioners voted to “authorize legal counsel … to draft and send a letter on behalf of the Barnstable County commissioners to the Environmental Management Commission ... The move comes just after the Cape and Islands Selectmen and Councilors Association (CCISCA) released a letter saying the Massachusetts Army National Guard's self-assessment of the machine gun range’s environmental impacts was "woefully inadequate...." Read more.
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Cape Cod Chamber Responds to Proposed Joint Base Machine Gun Range
CapeCod.com, June 4, 2021
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce has issued further comment on the proposed multi-purpose machine gun range project planned at Joint Base Cape Cod.
The chamber said that the comments are in response to a recent request from Massachusetts National Guard officials including Brigadier General Christopher Faux, Executive Director of Joint Base Cape Cod, for project support from local businesses. The following is the full statement from the Chamber:
"The Cape Cod Chamber has a long-standing track record of working with state and federal agencies on economic development projects and major regional infrastructure that impacts the region.
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Take Aim at the JBCC Machine Gun Range Project
Here are several immediate opportunities for action
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Your voice is urgently needed to stop Joint Base Cape Cod's ill-conceived machine gun range on the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve, a 15,000 acre parcel designated for water and habitat protection. Here's what you can do this week:
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Join the RESPECT US | RESPECT OUR WATER rally on Saturday, June 26, 10am to 12 noon at the Forestdale Elementary School in Sandwich. The rally is sponsored by 350 Cape Cod, Climate Collaborative and a coalition of Cape-wide organizations. Bring signs, bring friends, and wear blue to signify water protection. Please share the attached flyer with your networks.
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Sign this Change.org petition to Congressman Keating, Senator Warren, Senator Markey and the Environmental Management Commission. They need to hear from all of us. We currently have 1,422 signatures and need 2,000 by Saturday.
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Submit your public comment to the Environmental Management Commission (EMC), the one agency that can stop this project. Formerly scheduled for July 12, the EMC meeting has been postponed to the Fall, but we need to keep the pressure on! Please submit your public comment and explain to the EMC why you oppose the gun range; copy your local select board too.
Details about the gun range proposal and other opportunities for action may be found at the 350 Cape Cod website.
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Coming Soon to a Coastline Near You: Climate Change
Lower Cape TV's 3-part video project on the climate crisis
Angela McInerney of Lower Cape TV has produced a 3-part series on climate change in the Cape Cod region. The first segment explores how climate change is impacting the region and threatening the Cape & Islands . The second story focuses on the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative and its efforts to engage businesses and organizations across the Cape to work toward lowering their carbon footprints. The third installment explores how the Collaborative's Faith Communities Environmental Network works with their scores of members from across the Cape & Islands to reduce their carbon footprints. Watch Part 1 here.
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Chatham CAN (Climate Action Network) to Present Community Forum: Climate Change, Health & Diet
All are welcome...bring your bibs!
Saturday, June 26, 2021
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
You’ve installed solar panels, drive an electric car, planted native trees and shrubs, eliminated your lawn, and reduced your carbon footprint as much as possible. What else is there to do? One big step that has a major impact on the planet and your health is what you eat.
The community forum Climate Change, Health & Diet explores the emerging truth that our planet’s health is as dependent on what we eat as is our personal health. Join local experts who will examine these lesser-known relationships, discuss paths to reduce dietary contributions to climate change, and offer practical advice for changes that anyone can undertake.
Panelists include:
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Dr. Kumara Siddhartha (Medical Director, Cape Cod Healthcare)
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Joanne Irwin (Plant-Based Culinary Educator and Consultant)
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Sarah Griscom (Chatham CAN, Science Advisor, Pleasant Bay Community Boating)
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Tom Farkas (Chatham CAN, Organic Gardener, Permaculturist, Climate Activist
A Q&A will follow the panel discussion. Attendance is free of charge and all are welcome!
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Climate Change Claims Climate-Monitoring Weather Station on Cape Cod
On a sunny day at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge on Cape Cod, meteorologist Andy Nash marvels -- and worries -- about what he sees.
“There's a really nice view of the ocean right now. It's pretty. You can see sandbars off in the distance,” said Nash, who’s in charge of the National Weather Service office in Boston.
“Six [or] eight months ago, you couldn't see that water because there was another 50 to 80 feet of bluff and trees. That’s all gone now. And hence the need for us to be gone, too.” Read more. Listen.
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Cape Light Compact — Your Trusted Local Energy Resource — Offers 3 Steps to Reduce Your Home's Carbon Footprint
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Step 1: Get a Home Energy Assessment - During a no-cost Assessment, the Compact's Energy Specialists offer no-cost air sealing, 75-100% off the cost of recommended insulation upgrades, and access to 0% financing for eligible improvements. Opportunities are available whether you rent or own, are seasonal or year-round, or if your house is single or multi-family.
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Step 2: Electrify Your Home Heating - The Compact offers significant rebates to help residents reduce their reliance on oil and propane for home heating. Cold Climate Heat Pumps are an efficient and cost-effective alternative to existing fossil fuel heating systems.
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Step 3:Electrify Your Water Heating - If you currently heat your water with oil, propane, or a standard electric tank, you may be eligible for rebates to upgrade to a Heat Pump Hot Water Heater. These systems transfer heat from the surrounding air to heat the water, making them very efficient. Read more.
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Climate XChange releases green investment report for Massachusetts
The report finds that an effective path to economic recovery prioritizes a Green Investment Portfolio focused heavily on funding community and public infrastructure programs. Modeling what a portfolio of 18 Green Investments would mean in terms of job creation, cost savings, health, and climate benefits for Massachusetts, the report's key findings are:
- Every million dollars invested in the Green Investment Portfolio supports 14 jobs, which outperforms the state average (8.5) and the state’s ten largest industries (7.8)
- Every dollar invested in the Green Investment Portfolio pays itself back twice over in cost savings and public health benefits
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Land Use, Conservation & Agriculture |
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Forests vs. Solar - A False Choice
Featuring panelists from Woodwell Climate Research Center, Mass Audubon, and Cape Cod Commission Commission, the event explored the value of forests, tensions associated with large-scale solar installations, and tools for town officials and citizens to make wise planning decisions for their towns. See resources below:
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Solar Siting Analysis Released
Mass Department of Energy Resources tracks ground-mounted solar development between 2010-2019
In conjunction with MassGIS, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has undertaken an analysis of ground-mounted solar that was developed in the state between 2010-2019. The analysis assesses the total acres of land in Massachusetts that have been developed and characterizes the land that has been displaced by solar activity. The analysis establishes a baseline of solar development in Massachusetts which can inform discussions on the future development of solar in the Commonwealth.
The mapping tool and the associated data can be found on the Department’s website.(Scroll down to " Solar Siting Analysis Map" at the bottom of the web page.
Further information on analysis methodology is contained within the mapping tool. The data set is also available for download and use by other organizations.
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Energy & Built Environment |
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Go Solar with Loans Available from Cape Cod 5!
The benefits to pocket book and environment are legion
Cape Cod 5 is committed to being a responsible steward of the environment and wants to help other individuals and businesses do the same by providing products and services that help further sustainability efforts and reduce their impact on the environment. One such service is its Solar Loan Program.
If you are looking for a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources, switching to solar with the help of Cape Cod 5 is a great way to lower your monthly utility costs and reduce the environmental impact of your home. Some highlights of the Cape Cod 5 loan program include:
- Financing of up to $50,000 for the installation of roof-mounted or ground solar energy system
- Flexible terms and competitive rates to qualifying homeowners
- Loans available for primary or second homes within the Bank’s service area
“Cape Cod 5 has made serious commitments to sustainability, the environment and climate change mitigation,” commented Jim Wolf, Cape Air Director of Sustainability. “Their solar loan is a good local bank product for those considering solar PV installations on their homes!”
To learn more, apply for a loan online, or contact the Bank with questions, click here.
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Mayflower Wind is poised to further Massachusetts's role as hub of clean energy
Local benefits expected to accrue to the town of Falmouth and others
Mayflower Wind, a joint venture between Shell and Ocean Winds North America, is poised to build and operate an 804-megawatt wind farm about 20 miles south of Nantcuket. This project will represent another major milestone in the journey to make Massachusetts a national hub of clean offshore wind energy.
The company is currently focused on conducting baseline surveys, stakeholder outreach, and other activities that advance the initial design, engineering, and permitting of the project. The project will require local, regional, state, and federal permits and approvals for relevant onshore, nearshore, and offshore work. No final decisions on site locations for project facilities will be made until a full routing analysis has been completed. At a recent virtual public meeting, Mayflower Wind's External Outreach Manager Christopher Hardy said, "We anticipate the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will conduct its environmental and technical review of the project's construction and operations plan — as well as the state level, with reviews led by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office and the Electric Facilities Siting Review Board — will get underway in 2022." The wind farm is scheduled to be in operation by mid-December 2025.
The town of Falmouth will play a major project role as the land base for Mayflower Wind’s onshore electrical infrastructure and connection to the regional grid. Public input and involvement will be critical to the project's development, with public interest focused on where and how the power generated miles out at sea will come ashore and connect into the grid.
According to the company's website, "the Falmouth community’s participation in this important renewable energy project will increase town revenue, create local well-paid construction jobs, and provide support for local organizations and residents." Construction of the underground cables and onshore substation in Falmouth are expected to create jobs in areas such as surveying, grading, aggregate and concrete, as well as civil and electrical engineering. Local retail and hospitality businesses are also expected to see increased activity for goods and services.
Project development process will continue to pursue input from local communities to ensure a safe, reliable, and responsible project that meets the expectations of Massachusetts ratepayers and strengthens the Commonwealth's position as a national hub for offshore wind.
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Check out the session recordings below.
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Watch 30+ videos and learn from experts around the region, state and country.
Join the conversation and get involved!
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MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES
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We are an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reach carbon neutrality — or net zero — on Cape Cod and the Islands of Massachusetts by enhancing communication, collaboration, and activism among organizations, programs, and individuals committed to mitigating the climate crisis. We depend upon the generosity of our stakeholders to conduct our work. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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The Climate Action Alerts newsletter is compiled and crafted by Fran Schofield. If you've got a climate story from your home, school, workplace, town or organization, please be in touch!
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