BEAT continues to speak out against the proposed new fracked gas pipelines in more than 20 towns and cities throughout the Berkshires, across the state, and into nearby New York, always by invitation. We have met with local, county, state, and federal representatives, and have consulted with state and national environmental and legal organizations. We believe that there is no need for these pipelines, that most of the natural gas coming through the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline will be exported to Europe and/or Asia, and that there are safer, greener, and less costly alternatives that are being ignored by industry and industry-friendly regulators.
Here is a partial list of BEAT’s pipeline-related activities since February. In this list, the word “presentation” indicates that either Jane, Bruce, or both made a presentation at the event. Radio and television events were those at which either Jane or Bruce were guests on the program.
(back to BEAT Opposes Pipeline page)
Feb 18, 2014: Green Drinks Pittsfield presentation
Feb 23: Occupy the Airwaves radio program, Northampton with Rose Wessel
Feb 25 Green Rainbow Party presentation, Lenox
Feb 28 Meeting with Senator Ben Downing
Mar 2 Toxic Action Conference presentation in Boston
Mar 5 Hatfield presentation
Mar 7 Set up and host No-Fracked-Gas-In-Mass website
Mar 8 Cummington presentation
Mar 12 Set up and host MassPLAN website
Mar 13 Phone mtg with Toxic Action Network regarding Massachusetts Gas-Leaks Bill
Mar 15 Meeting with community group in Hatfield
Mar 19 Meeting with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Mar 22 Presentation at Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition conference, Worcester
Mar 24 Ashburnham presentation
Mar 29 Ashby presentation
Mar 29 Project Native Film Festival, panel discussion, Great Barrington
Mar 30 Project Native Film Festival, presentation related to a featured film, Great Barrington
Mar 31 350Mass Kickoff event (BEAT also helped organize the new 350Mass Berkshire group)
April 1 Chesterfield presentation – with MassPLAN
April 5 Richmond presentation – with No Fracked Gas in Mass
April 11 Attended Electricity Restructuring Roundtable, Boston
April 14 Berkshire Eagle Interview
April 16 Athol presentation – with No Fracked Gas in Mass
April 18 TV Program: Solutions Rising, North Adams with No Fracked Gas in Mass and Berkshire Photovoltaic Services
April 19 Sandisfield presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
April 21 Worthington presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
April 22 Lenox Green Rainbow Party presentation
May 6 Richmond presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
May 13 Windsor presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
May 15 Table at Third Thursday, Pittsfield with 350MA-Berkshire
May 18 Meet with Sierra Club’s executive committee, Petersham
May 19 Telephone meeting with Conservation Law Foundation
May 21 Talked to Boston Globe reporter
May 22 Telephone conversation with Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities representative
May 22 Participated in MassPLAN anti-pipeline organizers’ meeting in Athol
May 26 Sandisfield presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
May 29 Phone meeting with ENE (Environment Northeast) to discuss strategy
June 2 Sandisfield planning meeting
June 3 Greenfield Community College Community Forum panel discussion
June 4 Presentation to Richmond selectboard with No Fracked Gas in Mass, following a Kinder Morgan presentation
June 5 Great Barrington Green Drinks presentation
June 7 Canaan, NY presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
June 10 Attended and commented at Sandisfield Site Visit for MEPA review
June 10 Dalton presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
June 13 Meeting with Senator Ben Downing
June 17 Talk with DEP regarding proposed pipeline
June 19 Table at Third Thursday Pittsfield with 350MA-Berkshire
June 20 Energy efficiency meeting at DEP with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Resources
June 21 Townsend presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
June 21 Winchendon presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass
June 23 Meeting with Ben Downing
June 23 Telephone meeting with statewide and national environmental groups to discuss strategy
June 23 TV program “Solutions Rising,” North Adams
June 25 Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Clearinghouse Review Committee
June 26 Meeting with Senator Elizabeth Warren’s aide and Congressman Neal’s aide, Windsor
June 27 Meet with Senator Markey’s aides by phone
July 1 Pipeline meeting in Cummington with No Fracked Gas in Mass
July 1 Sent in MEPA comments regarding Sandisfield pipeline
July 6 Speak at Richmond Rolling March Kickoff
July 7 Participated in pipeline rally at Park Square in Pittsfield
July 7 Meeting with state rep Tricia Farley Bouvier and Pittsfield City Councilor Chris Connel
July 8 Participated in MassPLAN steering committee mtg in Greenfield
July 8 Meeting with 350Mass regarding pipeline
July 15 Meeting in Boston with Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Undersecretary of Energy with many environmental organizations
July 17 Table at Third Thursday Pittsfield with 350MA-Berkshire
July 28 Presentation to the Pittsfield Public Health and Safety Committee with No Fracked Gas in Mass
August 21 Table at Third Thursday Pittsfield with 350MA-Berkshire
August 26 Dalton presentation with No Fracked Gas in Mass to Select Board following Kinder Morgan presentation