We at Sustainable Middleborough believe the place a group like us can have the most impact is on state and local policy. And those are the policies usually have the most direct impact on us.
Since 2019 we have gotten to know our four state legislators—and their aides—and they know us. Our group has become a well-known part of a coalition of 200 grassroots group like ours that have successfully advocated for several state climate bills that have put us on road map to be carbon free by 2050. Yet we are fiercely independent and local and make our own decisions about what to support.
In this two-year cycle we have been advocating for bills about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as forever chemicals”) and other toxic chemicals:
Massachusetts is the only New England state and in the minority of states nationwide with no laws banning products with PFAS. Our town has committed $100 million to clean up our water supply. That’s not enough. The state has got to pass a bill to turn off the tap to keep it from coming into our communities.
In addition, we have been following and sending you alerts about various energy, environmental, and climate bills. The House has voted on an environmental bill, and the Senate is expected to release its Energy Omnibus Bill shortly. Then the two bills will go to a conference committee for reconciliation.
We will be watching for:
· MassSave energy efficiency funding: we don’t want this cut by $1B in one year, 2027
· Putting ratepayers over energy company profits
· Expanding clean energy while protecting forests
· Stopping gas pipeline expansion
· Stopping utilities from lobbying and marketing with ratepayer funds
· Protecting residents and ratepayers from environmental impacts and costs of data centers
· Making polluters pay for climate damages (H1014/S588)
Two other important bills for us at Sustainable Middleborough:
· S.786/H.3937 An Act creating a climate bank in Massachusetts
· H.3549/S.2288 An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants
In addition, we have been following and sending you alerts about various energy, environmental, and climate bills. The House has voted on an environmental bill, and the Senate is expected to release its Energy Omnibus Bill shortly. Then the two bills will go to a conference committee for reconciliation.
We will be watching for:
· MassSave energy efficiency funding: we don’t want this cut by $1B in one year, 2027
· Putting ratepayers over energy company profits
· Expanding clean energy while protecting forests
· Stopping gas pipeline expansion
· Stopping utilities from lobbying and marketing with ratepayer funds
· Protecting residents and ratepayers from environmental impacts and costs of data centers
· Making polluters pay for climate damages (H1014/S588)
Two other important bills for us at Sustainable Middleborough:
· S.786/H.3937 An Act creating a climate bank in Massachusetts
· H.3549/S.2288 An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants
Sign up for our easy-to-use action alerts at the most critical moments in our state’s two-year legislative cycle. We use this list sparingly for events and actions that affect us here in Middleborough.
Tell your state legislators what you think—often!
Middleborough is currently represented by state Sen. Kelly Dooner and three state representatives: Norman Orrall, John Gaskey, and Kathleen LaNatra. You can find contact info and who represents you here.
