[ Not a subscriber? Sign up here ]
BEACON HILL HAPPENINGS
– “Baker Administration Planning Rule To Ban Hydrofluorocarbons” (Michael P. Norton, SHNS via WBUR) “A state regulation expected this spring would ban the use of greenhouse gas-producing hydrofluorocarbons, which are used in certain aerosols, air conditioners and chillers, refrigeration units and foams. The Baker administration announced its plans Tuesday, saying similar efforts were underway in Rhode Island and Maine and would place Massachusetts “in line with 16 other states adopting comparable” regulations or legislation.”
– “Turning the tide: South Shore legislators are on the front lines of climate change” (Shannon Larson, the Patriot Ledger) [read the article]
-“Baker’s push to curb emissions draws a familiar foe: his own party” (Matt Stout, Boston Globe): [read the article] [$]
– Tufts University launches independent think-tank, initial study to be on TCI: “A new nonpartisan research center, with a pair of former governors on its advisoryo council, is setting out to provide lawmakers and voters with “real-time” analysis of key topics” (WBUR). Among its first studies, the group is expected to put out a report on the economic and climate impacts of TCI, the regional carbon pricing program backed by Governor Baker. Learn more about the think-tank here.
– “My Lunch with the Hunger Striker Who Took on Charlie Baker” (Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine): [read the article]
– “How Clean Is Massachusetts’ Clean Peak Rule? Not So Much, New Study Says” (Julian Spector, Greentech Media): [read the article]
ALL POLICY IS LOCAL
– “13 people arrested in protest at Weymouth compressor station site, police say” (Christopher Gavin, Boston.com): “Thirteen people were arrested Wednesday amid a protest that garnered hundreds of demonstrators at the construction site of a controversial natural gas compressor station in Weymouth, according to police.”
– “On climate change, coal and civil disobedience” (Emma Murphy, The Lowell Sun): [read the article]
– “Western Massachusetts communities get $260,000 in grants to support nature-based tourism” (Dave Canton, MassLive) [read the article]
– Cambridge achieves 30 percent trash reduction milestone one year early: [read the press release]
– “Alliance for Health and Environment finds MassDEP’s Emission Control Plan for Wheelabrator Saugus ‘morally wrong’” [read the press release]
– “Boston harbor brings ashore a new enemy: Rising seas” (Steven Mufson, Washington Post): [read the article]
LOCAL IDEAS
– “Why university students are uniting for divestment this week” by Kyle Rosenthal, Eva Rosenfeld, and Bolaji Olagbegi, via the Boston Globe. [$]
– “Sustainable climate justice requires us to be antiracist” by Jennie Moss, via the Massachusets Daily Collegian.
– “4 ideas for a transportation funding bill” by Richard Dimino, via the Commonwealth Magazine.
– “As I See It: Plastic bags are an invasive species” by Sam Cooper, via the Newburyport Daily News.
– “Physicians critique National Grid official’s stance” by Regina LaRocque, Philip Landrigan, Brita Lundberg, Caren Solomon, Jim Recht, and Susan Racine, via Commonwealth Magazine.
– “Together, a call for change” by Leslie DiCola, via the Daily News.
LOCAL CLIMATE SPOTLIGHT
– Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition holds first meeting: On Thursday (2/13) Eben Bein, the Northeast Field Coordinator for Our Climate, announced on twitter the first meeting of a brand new ‘Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition.’ According to a tweet, the coalition includes Our Climate, Sunrise Movement’s Boston Chapter, Boston Climate Strike, Boston Student Advisory Council, and Fridays for Future Massachusetts.
LOCAL CAMPAIGNS ON CLIMATE
– Climate change shapes first Kennedy, Markey US Senate debate: In a debate hosted by WGBH, issues related to climate change played a big role in shaping the contours of the conversation. Among the first questions asked by moderator Margery Egan was about carbon pricing, while the Weymouth compressor came up, as did Senator Ed Markey’s sponsorship of the Green New Deal. At one point moderator Jim Braude pointedly asked both candidates about possible ties to the fossil fuel industry. Sparks also flew over Markey’s refusal to sign a people’s pledge, with his refusal largely stemming from the massive financial support he’s expected to get from environmental and other progressive groups. Watch the full WGBH debate here.
– “Democrats Vying for Plymouth-Barnstable State Senate Seat Stress Climate Change Solutions” (Eve Zuckoff, WCAI): “Democrats competing to represent Plymouth and Barnstable in the state Senate emphasized the need for urgent action to battle climate change during a forum Wednesday night. The five Democrats, who will face off in a March 3 primary prior to a March 31 special election, spoke passionately about renewable energy, mass transit and water quality to a packed room of nearly 100 people at the Wildlands Trust in Plymouth.”
TALKING TCI
– “Gov. Charlie Baker: TCI proceeds will not be ‘pumped into Boston’ to pay off MBTA debt” (Tanner Stening, MassLive) [read the article]
OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
– “Massachusetts has 3rd highest number of deaths from out-of-state air pollution, study finds” (Caroline Enos, the Boston Globe) “Pollution from other states causes more air quality-related deaths in Massachusetts than almost any other state in the country, according to a new study from researchers at MIT. The study tracked emissions of air-polluting compounds in all 48 contiguous states, researchers said. They found that half of the air pollution generated inside a state is carried by wind into other states.” [$]
– “CLF Demands Temporary Ban on Cod Fishing” (Michael P. Norton, State House News Service): [read the article] [$]
BEYOND THE BAY STATE
– “Virginia set to join RGGI — A massive step forward for cap-and-invest” Carlie Clarcq, Climate XChange): [read the article]
– “Oregon cap-and-invest makes a comeback” (Carlie Clarcq, Climate XChange): [read the article]
– “The Oil Industry Is Quietly Winning Local Climate Fights” (Robinson Meyers, the Atlantic): [read the article]
ROUNDUP REDUX
Missed the last CXC Roundup? Here are the top three climate headlines from last week:
- **SPECIAL** COMMUNICATING CLIMATE
- “Massachusetts proposal doesn’t address low-income solar barriers, advocates say”
- “’I Feel Victorious’: BU Professor Ends Hunger Strike Over Weymouth Compressor”
Read the full Roundup here from February 12th, 2020 here.
FOR MORE CONTENT from us subscribe to the Climate XChange Newsletter (Fridays, weekly) or the Climate Action Business Association Newsletter (Fridays, bi-weekly).
