MBTA: Toward a Coal Free T

Kudos to the MBTA for moving away from Dirty Energy and in the direction of Clean Energy and alternatives (Circulated by Sierra Club).

Click on the link and take a look at Massachusetts' Senator Scott Brown's anti-environment vote.

Thank you for taking action in asking Richard Davey, the new Secretary of MassDOT, for a Coal Free T. Below is a message that he asked to be share with the nearly 850 people that took action in asking him to repower the MBTA with clean energy.


Thank you, -Drew


Drew Grande
Sierra Club - Beyond Coal Campaign
Associate Organizer
10 Milk St, Suite 632
Boston, MA 02108


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: General Manager's Office

Thank you for your email regarding my appointment as Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of MassDOT. I also appreciate that you acknowledged the investments made by the MBTA to become a cleaner and more energy efficient organization. I want to assure you that the MBTA will continue to identify opportunities to consume less energy and improve the air quality in the communities served by the Authority.

I am pleased to inform you that on September 7, 2011, the MBTA Board approved a new Power Supply Agreement that will run through December 31, 2015. This agreement is the MBTA’s most progressive energy procurement to date. For the first time, the Authority will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates for 20% of its power requirements. This purchase supports Governor Patrick’s renewable energy initiatives and acknowledges the MBTA’s commitment to improving the environment.

On a separate track, the MBTA will look into pursuing the procurement of solar and/or wind power to meet a portion of its energy needs. We are also upgrading the lighting in five of the MBTA’s facilities as part of the NStar’s Utility Rebate Program. By having these facilities in this program, we expect an annual energy saving of 1.6 million kW hours/year and a cost savings of $206,000/year. Additionally, the Authority achieved budgetary efficiencies by implementing an Environmental Management System that includes recycling programs for electronics, metals, waste oil, cardboard, and newspapers.

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to bring your concerns to my attention. We are committed to identifying projects and opportunities to reduce our consumption of electricity. Furthermore, the MBTA will continue to strive to deliver service in an environmentally friendly matter and become more fiscally responsible in its consumption of natural resources. I also believe that the MBTA’s effort align perfectly with Governor Patrick’s Executive Order #484 (“Leading By Example), the GreenDOT Policy, and Federal Green Communities Act of 2009.

I am looking forward to working with the Sierra Club and other stakeholders in my new role as MassDOT Secretary as we work to provide more environmental benefits to residents of the Commonwealth and lead the nation in transportation excellence.


Sincerely,

Richard A. Davey
MassDOT Secretary & CEO