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To our members
There are few better places to spend a spring
day than the Pioneer Valley. If you’re like me, you might be looking forward to
strolling along the banks of the Connecticut River and hiking through forests
and fields this spring.
Yet this could all be at risk if our elected officials allow fracking to come to this area. Drinking water sources could be threatened with contamination; families could face serious illness; and our farms and forests could be transformed into industrial zones. With our combination of grassroots organizing, direct advocacy, and research, we’re leading the movement to keep fracking out of the Pioneer Valley and the Commonwealth. We know we can protect our air, our water, and the places we care about—but it can only happen with your ongoing involvement and support.
Thank you,
Ben
Hellerstein
Field Associate |
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Thousands of Bay Staters urge ban on drilling
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Environment
Massachusetts’ Senior Attorney John Rumpler spoke to reporters as activists
delivered more than 11,000 petition signatures against fracking to the
Legislature.
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Legislators
hear from concerned residents
With opposition growing over the controversial
gas drilling process known as “fracking,” Environment Massachusetts led the
fight against this dirty drilling this past fall.
This included collecting thousands of petition signatures from Bay Staters, speaking at a state hearing on fracking this fall, and releasing a new study about the devastating effects of fracking on our health and environment.
The footprint of fracking
This included collecting thousands of petition signatures from Bay Staters, speaking at a state hearing on fracking this fall, and releasing a new study about the devastating effects of fracking on our health and environment.
The footprint of fracking
The new report, “Fracking by the Numbers,” is the first study of its kind to
measure the footprint of fracking damage to date—including toxic wastewater,
water use, chemical use, air pollution, land damage and global warming
emissions.
Environment Massachusetts released the report at a news event in Springfield and received coverage in the Springfield Republican, WAMC, and nearly a dozen outlets across the state.
Key findings of the report include:
In 2012, fracking produced 280 billion gallons of wastewater.
Fracked wells release 450,000 tons of air pollution each year.
Since 2005, 360,000 acres of land have been directly damaged by fracking.
Last December, when an industry-affiliated organization met with landowners to discuss the prospects for drilling in the Pioneer Valley, our state was confronted by the possibility that fracking could be coming to one of the most beautiful areas of Massachusetts—with its gorgeous forests and farmland, its rolling hills, pristine lakes and the Connecticut River.
Proposal to ban drilling
Environment Massachusetts released the report at a news event in Springfield and received coverage in the Springfield Republican, WAMC, and nearly a dozen outlets across the state.
Key findings of the report include:
In 2012, fracking produced 280 billion gallons of wastewater.
Fracked wells release 450,000 tons of air pollution each year.
Since 2005, 360,000 acres of land have been directly damaged by fracking.
Last December, when an industry-affiliated organization met with landowners to discuss the prospects for drilling in the Pioneer Valley, our state was confronted by the possibility that fracking could be coming to one of the most beautiful areas of Massachusetts—with its gorgeous forests and farmland, its rolling hills, pristine lakes and the Connecticut River.
Proposal to ban drilling
Most
recently, our staff has been working with Reps. Denise Provost and Peter Kocot
to introduce a bill to ban fracking in Massachusetts.
To date, more than a dozen representatives have cosponsored this proposal, and in June, Environment Massachusetts presented more than 11,700 petition signatures to the Legislature in support of a ban on fracking.
To date, more than a dozen representatives have cosponsored this proposal, and in June, Environment Massachusetts presented more than 11,700 petition signatures to the Legislature in support of a ban on fracking.
Protecting Cape Cod from funding cuts
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The Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse, part of the
Cape Cod National Seashore
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National parks were in the news recently when
the Cape Cod National Seashore and many others were forced to close their gates
to visitors for more than two weeks as a result of the government shutdown.
But the truth is: Our parks have suffered from Congressional neglect and underfunding for years. The National Park Service budget has been reduced by more than 13 percent over the last three years. At the Cape Cod National Seashore, cuts have meant less protection for 32 rare or endangered species and reduced access to beach trails.
To defend our parks, Environment Massachusetts spoke to thousands of Bay Staters about the threats facing Cape Cod and collected petition signatures to protect the Cape and all of our parks.
But the truth is: Our parks have suffered from Congressional neglect and underfunding for years. The National Park Service budget has been reduced by more than 13 percent over the last three years. At the Cape Cod National Seashore, cuts have meant less protection for 32 rare or endangered species and reduced access to beach trails.
To defend our parks, Environment Massachusetts spoke to thousands of Bay Staters about the threats facing Cape Cod and collected petition signatures to protect the Cape and all of our parks.
Massachusetts’ filthy five global warming polluters
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| Read the report here |
The nation’s aging fleet of power plants is
the single largest source of global warming pollution in America, and five local
plants are contributing more than their share of the problem, according to an
Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center report released this past
fall.
Our report, “America’s Dirtiest Power Plants,” was released at an event in LoPresti Park in East Boston and names the top five carbon polluting power plants in Massachusetts.
Our top five polluters are …
Our report, “America’s Dirtiest Power Plants,” was released at an event in LoPresti Park in East Boston and names the top five carbon polluting power plants in Massachusetts.
Our top five polluters are …
Massachusetts’ top five polluting power plants
are: Mystic Generating Station, Brayton Point, Fore River Generating Station,
Millennium Power, and ANP Blackstone Energy Project.
Overall, Massachusetts’ power plants produce as much carbon each year as 3.8 million cars.
“America’s dirtiest power plants are the major offenders when it comes to global warming,” said Ben Hellerstein, field associate with Environment Massachusetts.
40 percent of emissions
Overall, Massachusetts’ power plants produce as much carbon each year as 3.8 million cars.
“America’s dirtiest power plants are the major offenders when it comes to global warming,” said Ben Hellerstein, field associate with Environment Massachusetts.
40 percent of emissions
America’s
power plants are the single largest source of global warming pollution,
responsible for 40 percent of emissions nationwide.
The most carbon-polluting power plant in the nation—Georgia Power Company’s Plant Scherer—emits as much carbon pollution as 4.4 million cars.
Scientists predict that global warming will lead to even more frequent and extreme weather events, like Superstorm Sandy, unless we act quickly.
Victory: Brayton Point closing
The most carbon-polluting power plant in the nation—Georgia Power Company’s Plant Scherer—emits as much carbon pollution as 4.4 million cars.
Scientists predict that global warming will lead to even more frequent and extreme weather events, like Superstorm Sandy, unless we act quickly.
Victory: Brayton Point closing
And
we are doing just that. The Brayton Point coal-fired power plant in Somerset is
the second most carbon-polluting plant in New England. But it is now set to
close by 2017, thanks to years of campaigning by Environment Massachusetts and
our allies.
New limits proposed
New limits proposed
This
past fall, President Obama directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
propose limits on carbon pollution from new and existing power plants.
Massachusetts is also one of nine states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a historic plan to cap carbon pollution from power plants in the Northeast.
Already, RGGI has generated more than $1 billion for investment in energy efficiency.
Now, Massachusetts leaders are working to adopt stronger rules that will reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent.
“As residents of the Bay State, we can’t afford to turn a blind eye to global warming,” said Hellerstein. “State and local governments in Massachusetts have taken bold steps to cut carbon emissions, but tackling the problem of global warming means cleaning up the dirtiest power plants in America.”
Massachusetts is also one of nine states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a historic plan to cap carbon pollution from power plants in the Northeast.
Already, RGGI has generated more than $1 billion for investment in energy efficiency.
Now, Massachusetts leaders are working to adopt stronger rules that will reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent.
“As residents of the Bay State, we can’t afford to turn a blind eye to global warming,” said Hellerstein. “State and local governments in Massachusetts have taken bold steps to cut carbon emissions, but tackling the problem of global warming means cleaning up the dirtiest power plants in America.”
New EPA rule good news for our rivers and streams
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The
Charles River in Boston is a popular destination for fishing, rowing and other
outdoor
activities.
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From
the Connecticut River, to the Charles River, to the beaches of Cape Cod, our
state is defined by its waterways. Yet for too long, our waters have faced
serious pollution—from sewage overflows, overdevelopment and unrestricted
pollution.
Fortunately, President Obama took a much-needed step this past fall to close polluter-friendly loopholes in the federal Clean Water Act. These loopholes put our waterways—and those across the nation—at risk of harmful and unregulated pollution. More than 50 percent of our state’s streams, and the drinking water for nearly 5 million Bay Staters, could suffer more pollution, if these loopholes aren’t closed.
Environment Massachusetts and our allies across the country submitted more than 150,000 petition signatures in support of restoring protections to all waterways. We were also able to get more than 430 local elected officials and 180 farmers to speak up on the issue.
Fortunately, President Obama took a much-needed step this past fall to close polluter-friendly loopholes in the federal Clean Water Act. These loopholes put our waterways—and those across the nation—at risk of harmful and unregulated pollution. More than 50 percent of our state’s streams, and the drinking water for nearly 5 million Bay Staters, could suffer more pollution, if these loopholes aren’t closed.
Environment Massachusetts and our allies across the country submitted more than 150,000 petition signatures in support of restoring protections to all waterways. We were also able to get more than 430 local elected officials and 180 farmers to speak up on the issue.
Governor sets far-reaching solar goal
Massachusetts
is a role model when it comes to solar power. Already, the state has the seventh
highest amount of solar capacity in the nation.
It’s no accident that we are leading the way on solar energy. State leaders have adopted smart, forward-thinking policies to promote solar and take advantage of the job creation in this sector. This past fall, Environment Massachusetts worked to marshal support from concerned citizens and key constituencies to make sure that the state’s solar programs are as strong as possible and continue to flourish.
Our efforts recently paid off when Massachusetts met its target for solar power—four years ahead of schedule—and Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled a new, far-reaching goal to increase Massachusetts solar installations six-fold by 2020.
It’s no accident that we are leading the way on solar energy. State leaders have adopted smart, forward-thinking policies to promote solar and take advantage of the job creation in this sector. This past fall, Environment Massachusetts worked to marshal support from concerned citizens and key constituencies to make sure that the state’s solar programs are as strong as possible and continue to flourish.
Our efforts recently paid off when Massachusetts met its target for solar power—four years ahead of schedule—and Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled a new, far-reaching goal to increase Massachusetts solar installations six-fold by 2020.
"Global Frackdown” events held in Massachusetts
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Thousands
of concerned citizens, students and residents living on the frontlines of
fracking stood together at events in Massachusetts and across the country to say
“no” to this dirty form of oil and gas drilling.
The events are centered on the second annual “Global Frackdown,” a worldwide day of activities with more than 250 actions on six continents. Environment Massachusetts activists headed to farmers’ markets to let local farmers know about the threat of fracking to water, soil and livestock.
“Fracking is an environmental nightmare—from contaminated water in New Mexico to families getting sick in Pennsylvania to tons of global warming pollution released,” said John Rumpler, senior attorney with Environment Massachusetts. “As the truth gets out about all the damage done by this dirty drilling, more and more people are calling for a ban on fracking.”
With the evidence of fracking damage mounting, public opposition is growing.This summer, more than 1 million public comments were submitted to the Obama administration rejecting its proposed rule for fracking on public lands. In addition, a recent Pew poll showed that 49 percent of Americans are opposed to fracking, up from 38 percent last March.
The events are centered on the second annual “Global Frackdown,” a worldwide day of activities with more than 250 actions on six continents. Environment Massachusetts activists headed to farmers’ markets to let local farmers know about the threat of fracking to water, soil and livestock.
“Fracking is an environmental nightmare—from contaminated water in New Mexico to families getting sick in Pennsylvania to tons of global warming pollution released,” said John Rumpler, senior attorney with Environment Massachusetts. “As the truth gets out about all the damage done by this dirty drilling, more and more people are calling for a ban on fracking.”
With the evidence of fracking damage mounting, public opposition is growing.This summer, more than 1 million public comments were submitted to the Obama administration rejecting its proposed rule for fracking on public lands. In addition, a recent Pew poll showed that 49 percent of Americans are opposed to fracking, up from 38 percent last March.
Donate today. A cleaner, greener future is within our
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to reality.
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