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Eversource Included in Class-Action for Overbilling

[ BEAT Note : Eversource is named in a class-action lawsuit alleging that they charged customers artificially high electricity rates from August 2013 to July 2016. The law firm of Hagens Berman has brought the suit. ] According to recent news and investigations, Eversource and Avangrid – two of the largest utility companies in New England – artificially raised electric bills for millions of residents in the region. This scheme affected almost all electricity consumers in New England. FROM HAGENS BERMAN LAW FIRM <more> 

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. cleared to start flow through Otis State Forest spur

SANDISFIELD — Nearly six months after workers began expanding a path through Otis State Forest, natural gas can begin flowing through a newly completed Tennessee Gas Pipeline spur. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday granted the company permission to put portions of the Connecticut Expansion Project in service beginning Wednesday, since the Massachusetts and New York sections are ready to flow gas. In a filing with FERC on Monday, the company said that, after quality-control checks, these two sections of its 13-mile, tri-state pipeline are safe and mechanically ready to run gas intended for Connecticut customers. FROM THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE <more> 

Go, Sturgeon, Go! 
Shortnose Sturgeon Move Upstream

In August, near the Vernon Dam, an angler caught and released alive a shortnose sturgeon. That’s a really big deal because this is the first confirmed case of a shortnose sturgeon living above the Turners Falls Dam. It was thought that the dam and the natural waterfall there had always been the limit of where these fish lived in the river. This is exciting news for the sturgeon, which is endangered in the Connecticut River. FROM CONNECTICUT RIVER CONSERVANCY <more> 

AG Healey Calls on EPA to Hold Public Hearings in Massachusetts on Repeal of the Clean Power Plan

Attorney General Maura Healey has joined with state and federal leaders in calling on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold public hearings in Massachusetts on the agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan – the landmark federal regulations that limit carbon pollution from power plants. “Repealing the Clean Power Plan will have devastating impacts on our state’s efforts to combat climate change and on our growing clean energy sector,” said AG Healey. FROM OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY <more> 

Don’t let our clean air go up in smoke – please take action TODAY!

Massachusetts is poised to adopt new regulations that will provide the same “clean energy” credits to polluting technologies such as biomass burning and garbage incineration as for clean, renewable technologies such as solar and geothermal heat. These regulations will incentivize more pollution in Massachusetts. This is exactly the opposite of what the Legislature intended when they expanded the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to advance clean, renewable heating technologies. The State Legislature has until November 10th to review this proposal and make recommendations. Please phone or email your elected officials TODAY and urge them to put the brakes on this harmful proposal! FROM PARTNERSHIP FOR POLICY INTEGRITY <more> 


Jobs (click for full job listings)

Executive Coordinator & Trustee Liaison  | The Nature Conservancy | Boston, MA

Fee Stewardship Coordinator  | MA Dept. of Fish & Game | Westborough, MA

Interpretive Writer | Hiltown Families | Williamsburg, MA

Development & Sales Officer | Hiltown Families | Williamsburg, MA

Executive Director | Hiltown Families | Williamsburg, MA

MA Community Organizer  | Mothers Out Front | Worcester, MA

Government Relations Specialist | The Nature Conservancy | Boston, MA

Event Planner | Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee | Westfield, MA 

Campus Organizer | PIRG Campus Action | Western MA

Environmental Health Manager | Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition | Springfield, MA

Regional Recycling Coordinator | City of Pittsfield | Pittsfield, MA 

Conservation Projects Manager | Housatonic Valley Association | Cornwall Bridge, CT

Director of Ecological Restoration | MA Dept. of Fish & Game | Boston, MA

Community Solar Interns | Co-op Power | Florence, MA

Energy Efficiency Intern | Co-op Power | Florence, MA

Community Solar Program Director | Co-op Power | Florence, MA

Energy Efficiency Program Manager | Co-op Power | Florence, MA

Chief Executive Officer | Co-op Power | Florence, MA

2017-18 Position Openings | TerraCorps – Various locations

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Eversource Included in Class-Action for Overbilling

[ BEAT Note ] Eversource and Avangrid, along with their subsidiary companies, are named in a class-action lawsuit alleging that they charged customers artificially high electricity rates from August 2013 to July 2016. The law firm of Hagens Berman has brought the suit. 

Live in New England? Utility companies likely illegally raised your electric bills.

AM I AFFECTED?

According to recent news and investigations, Eversource and Avangrid – two of the largest utility companies in New England – artificially raised electric bills for millions of residents in the region from August 2013 to July 2016. This scheme affected almost all electricity consumers in New England.

If you paid electricity bills from August 2013 to July 2016, and you live in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine, you are likely affected – regardless of what company you buy electricity from.

If you receive your electricity bill from one of the utilities listed below, you were likely overcharged by the very utilities behind the scheme:

  • Connecticut: Eversource, Avangrid, United Illuminating, or Connecticut Light and Power Company
  • Maine:  Avangrid, Central Maine Power Company
  • Massachusetts: Eversource, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, NSTAR Electric Company
  • New Hampshire: Eversource, Public Service Company of New Hampshire

Fill out the form to find out your rights to potential compensation.

OVERBILLING EXPLAINED

Eversource, Avangrid and their subsidiary utility companies control a significant share of the natural gas market in New England. These companies used their large market share to artificially restrict natural gas supplies and artificially increase the price of natural gas paid by power plants that burn gas to generate electricity. Because most of New England’s electricity is generated using natural gas, this scheme drove up the price of electricity paid by almost all New England residents.

First, Eversource and Avangrid over-reserved natural gas pipeline capacity in advance. Then, at the last minute, these companies reduced their reservations, leaving no time for others to use the pipeline to flow additional gas. This in turn decreased the amount of natural gas available in the market, and increased the price of natural gas that power plants pay to generate electricity.  This allowed Eversource and Avangrid to make more money from their non-gas power plants, and to justify expenditures on new natural gas pipeline infrastructure. 

YOUR RIGHTS

This scheme by New England utilities served no other purpose than to artificially boost profits for these companies, leaving millions to pay higher bills. At no point were customers aware of this fraud, and only recently has it been brought to light. Hagens Berman believes that families and households across the region deserve better, and deserve their money back. We intend to fight these utilities and put a stop to this behavior.

TOP CONSUMER RIGHTS FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful litigation law firms in the U.S. and has achieved more than $260 billion in settlements against some of the nation’s largest conglomerates. Our firm has taken on utility companies across the country for overbilling fraud and other schemes. Your claim will be handled by experts in consumer law.

NO COST TO JOIN

There is no cost or fee whatsoever involved in joining this case. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class’ legal team. In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum.


Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. cleared to start flow through Otis State Forest spur

SANDISFIELD — Nearly six months after workers began expanding a path through Otis State Forest, natural gas can begin flowing through a newly completed Tennessee Gas Pipeline spur.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday granted the company permission to put portions of the Connecticut Expansion Project in service beginning Wednesday, since the Massachusetts and New York sections are ready to flow gas.

In a filing with FERC on Monday, the company said that, after quality-control checks, these two sections of its 13-mile, tri-state pipeline are safe and mechanically ready to run gas intended for Connecticut customers.

The filing also said the Connecticut section is nearly complete, and it will notify the agency when that happens, and said it is on a tight deadline to make the gas available by Wednesday.

“The project [gas] shippers have expressed a commercial need for the capacity,” the filing said.

Starting from the interconnection with the Iroquois Gas Transmission System in Wright, N.Y., the new line will provide 72,100 dekatherms of natural gas per day to points on the company’s existing lines in Hartford County in Connecticut.

The pipeline is the company’s third in a corridor that runs through about 4 miles here — about 2 miles of which are in a part of Otis State Forest that was purchased by the state.
The state forest had to be expanded to make way for this third line, sparking a court fight last year between Tennessee Gas and the state; the forest is protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. Typically, a two-thirds majority vote of the state House of Representatives is required to pull land out of Article 97 protection, a court ruled that federal interstate commerce law trumped the state constitution.

That was just one complaint of residents, environmentalists, lawmakers and activists who began a series of mostly peaceful protests that have led to nearly 100 arrests since tree cutting began in early May.

Other areas of concern were the impact on climate and the environment, the effect on stone landscapes that are considered sacred to some Native American tribes, and the claim that the extra gas is no longer needed, because gas demand in Connecticut has changed since FERC approved the project in March — approval that was based on this demonstrated need.

The Massachusetts PipeLine Awareness Network made one last stand on these points, and more, when Tennessee Gas filed its request to flow gas.

“Important new evidence has just emerged that further undercuts TGP’s claims of Project need,” wrote Kathryn Eiseman, director of the Network.

Eiseman referred to a recent academic paper about the natural gas and electricity markets that, she says, “indicates the Project’s shippers have been systematically withholding capacity on the Algonquin Gas Transmission System, as part of an overall market failure (or potentially improper manipulation) that has reportedly resulted in New England ratepayers being overcharged billions of dollars.”

Eiseman said FERC should investigate capacity issues in this and all the region’s pipelines before allowing a new pipeline to go in service that could increase capacity on the backs of ratepayers, who pay for it, whether or not the gas is needed.
Kinder Morgan spokesman David Conover told The Eagle in an email that customers are ready and waiting.

“Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, Yankee Gas Services Company and Southern Connecticut Gas Company have all signed long term agreements with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. for the additional transportation capacity that the Project will add to the our system,” he wrote.

The Network filed another last-ditch request Monday for FERC to deny, on several grounds, the company’s push for the Nov. 1 gas flow date. One had to do with temperatures.
“Even in the northernmost part of Connecticut, the temperature is not forecast to fall below 40 degrees during the first week of November,” Eiseman wrote. Eiseman also said restoration, seeding and final cleanup of the company’s work area might have to be redone after the flash flooding and high winds that came through the area. The company said in a mid-October status report that 97 percent of the Massachusetts section was complete.
Tennessee Gas said in its original filings with FERC that it would restore as much of the disrupted area as possible to its previous condition, and told FERC Monday that it will continue this work until it is complete. That includes maintaining erosion-control devices, the company said.
In its response, FERC said it found that the company has “adequately stabilized the construction workspaces” and “rehabilitated” them.

Throughout the process, more criticism has been leveled against FERC and its way of doing business than the pipeline company. Eiseman told The Eagle that the network is not surprised that FERC granted permission to run the gas with some questions remaining.
“FERC has made sure that TGP is able to meet its in-service deadline, and ignored objections from the public,” she said. “All along, FERC has ignored evidence that the project is not needed, and plowed ahead in the regulatory process to suit the company’s schedule while shortchanging the public, the environment and their obligations to the tribes.”

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Go, Sturgeon, Go! 
Shortnose Sturgeon Move Upstream

In August, near the Vernon Dam, an angler caught and released alive a shortnose sturgeon. That’s a really big deal because this is the first confirmed case of a shortnose sturgeon living above the Turners Falls Dam. It was thought that the dam and the natural waterfall there had always been the limit of where these fish lived in the river. This is exciting news for the sturgeon, which is endangered in the Connecticut River.   
 
However, this also has implications for the hydroelectric facilities in the region, particularly the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage facility. It’s critical that their equipment function in a way that does not harm these fish. And the problem with Northfield Mountain is there’s not any protection against fish – big or small – from being drawn into the intake pipes.    
 
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) were already on top of the problems with the intake pipes before the shortnose sturgeon was caught. And they are even more committed to ensuring that this problem be fixed when the new hydro licenses are issued.   
 
Learn more about these fish and more on this story at the NOAA Fisheries website.    
 
Learn more about the relicensing of the Connecticut River hydropower facilities at the CRC website.

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AG Healey Calls on EPA to Hold Public Hearings in Massachusetts on Repeal of the Clean Power Plan
Leads Broad Group of Federal and State Officials

Attorney General Maura Healey has joined with state and federal leaders in calling on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold public hearings in Massachusetts on the agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan – the landmark federal regulations that limit carbon pollution from power plants.

“Repealing the Clean Power Plan will have devastating impacts on our state’s efforts to combat climate change and on our growing clean energy sector,” said AG Healey. “These issues are of immense importance to Massachusetts, and our residents, business owners, public leaders, and power generators deserve to be heard.”

In a letter sent Tuesday to the EPA, AG Healey, along with Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Stan Rosenberg and every member of the state’s Congressional delegation urged the EPA to hold multiple hearings in Massachusetts in addition to any hearing to be held in Washington, D.C. The officials contend that repealing the Clean Power Plan would jeopardize growth and job creation in the state’s thriving clean energy sector.

The letter also points out that Massachusetts is experiencing conditions that ultimately lead to poorer air quality and a rise in hospital admissions and emergency room visits for those suffering from asthma, especially children. The state already has the country’s highest rate of asthma, with the condition affecting 12 percent of the state’s adults, and 12 percent of children in kindergarten to eighth grade.

With 75 percent of the state’s residents living near the coast, Massachusetts is also particularly vulnerable to sea level rise caused by climate change. Sea level rise is already intensifying coastal flooding from storms and will eventually flood low-level communities, including Boston. Increased sea levels also jeopardize barrier beach systems and put areas like Buzzards Bay and Plum Island at risk.

On March 28, President Trump signed an order which the administration described as paving the way to eliminate the Clean Power Plan rule. Following the executive order, AG Healey joined a coalition of 23 states, cities, and towns in pledging to aggressively oppose the order in court. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced on Oct. 9 that the EPA will repeal the Clean Power Plan, and AG Healey is committed to fighting the repeal.

President Barack Obama announced the Clean Power Plan in August 2015. After final regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants were issued by the EPA, a group of state and industry petitioners challenged the Clean Power Plan in federal court. In November 2015, a coalition of 25 states, cities and counties intervened in defense of the Clean Power Plan against the challenge in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Clean Power Plan is the culmination of a decade-long effort to partner with states and cities to require mandatory cuts in the emissions of climate change pollution from fossil fuel-burning power plants under the Clean Air Act. The Clean Power Plan, along with a companion rule applicable to new, modified, and reconstructed power plants, would set limits on the amount of carbon pollution that power plants can emit. The Clean Power Plan’s emission limits for existing plants is expected to eliminate as much carbon pollution as is emitted by more than 160 million cars a year – or 70 percent of the nation’s passenger cars.

Massachusetts has already taken a leading role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by moving forward with its own programs, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Global Warming Solutions Act, energy efficiency programs, and landmark commitments to procure electricity from hydropower and wind.

AG Healey has long been an advocate of expanding Massachusetts’ clean and renewable energy economy. For years, the Massachusetts AG’s Office has been a leader in pursuing federal regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, including leading a coalition of states, in coordination with numerous environmental groups, in the landmark Supreme Court case of Massachusetts v. EPA.


Don’t let our clean air go up in smoke – please take action TODAY!

Massachusetts is poised to adopt new regulations that will provide the same “clean energy” credits to polluting technologies such as biomass burning and garbage incineration as for clean, renewable technologies such as solar and geothermal heat.

Many of you may remember fighting for strong biomass regulations for electricity production. Thanks to grassroots action, we won battles to shut down biomass plants in Greenfield and Russell, and to adopt the strictest standards in the nation for Massachusetts’ Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

Now the MA Department of Energy Resources is trying to push through even weaker biomass regulations for heat generation that will encourage more dirty biomass boilers to be built in communities across the state.

Despite extensive input from environmental groups, public health advocates, and citizens from across the state, the final regulations will:

  • INCREASE carbon pollution in Massachusetts
  • HARM public health, especially children, seniors, and people with respiratory problems
  • DEGRADE forests in Massachusetts and throughout New England
  • AND make Massachusetts ratepayers pay for it!

Simply put, these regulations will incentivize more pollution in Massachusetts. This is exactly the opposite of what the Legislature intended when they expanded the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to advance clean, renewable heating technologies.

Please speak up and tell your lawmakers we can’t let this happen!  Massachusetts led the way in 2012 with the strongest and most protective biomass standards in the nation because thousands of individuals like you wrote letters, made calls, signed petitions, and demanded that our health and our environment must be protected. This new regulation pulls the rug out from under all our collective efforts by providing immensely weaker standards.

The State Legislature has until November 10th to review this proposal and make recommendations. We are calling on the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy to hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations and demand a moratorium until these flaws are corrected.

Please phone or email your elected officials TODAY and urge them to put the brakes on this harmful proposal!

CALL OR WRITE:

Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy

Senator Michael J. Barrett
(617) 722-1572 | Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov

House Chair, Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy

Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr.
(617) 722-2263 | Thomas.Golden@mahouse.gov

Your State Representative

To find your legislators go to: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Statehouse Switchboard (617) 722-2000

Western MA Legislators:

Senator Adam Hinds           (617) 722-1625

Senator Stanley Rosenberg   (617) 722-1500

Rep. Stephen Kulik              (617) 722-2380

Rep. Paul Mark                    (617) 722-2304

Rep. Smitty Pignatelli          (617) 722-2210

If you are unsure or do not see your legislator listed, you can check at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/

SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT

My name is _____________ and I am a resident of _______________. I am calling to express my concerns about the proposed APS biomass regulations that are currently being reviewed by the TUE committee. These regulations could significantly increase air pollution, impact our health, and damage our forests, and fall far short of the requirements that the Legislature established in the APS law. I urge the TUE to weigh in on this important issue by holding a public hearing and calling for a moratorium on these regulations until they are corrected.

SAMPLE EMAIL

Dear [State Legislators]:

I am a resident of ____________and strongly support protecting our air, water and health. I am very concerned about the proposed APS regulations that will provide clean energy credits to polluting biomass technologies that will increase air pollution in our communities, damage our climate, and degrade our forests. The state should not be incentivizing biomass units that are more polluting than the fossil fuels they are intended to replace. I urge the TUE to hold a public hearing on the proposed APS thermal regulations as soon as possible and call for a moratorium on these regulations until they are corrected.

Signed,

Your name & address

BACKGROUND

In 2014, the Massachusetts Legislature expanded the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS) to include incentives for renewable heating technologies, such as solar thermal and geothermal heat, including biomass boilers.

Burning woody biomass – sourced from whole trees, limbs, and residues – produces more CO2 emissions per unit of energy than the fossil fuels that it is intended to replace, and is a major source of fine particulate matter (soot) in Massachusetts.

Recognizing the potential harms, the Legislature set very strict limits controlling the conditions under which wood-burning would qualify for APS credits. The law required the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to set minimum eligibility requirements for thermal generation units using biomass that are protective of public health, minimize damage to forests, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and utilize best-in-class commercially feasible technologies.

Through two sets of public comment periods, environmental groups, public health advocates, medical professionals, and concerned citizens urged DOER to pass the strongest regulations possible. Groups weighed in with hundreds of pages of comments and testimony.

Nevertheless, despite the strict standards in the law and vigorous public engagement during the development of these rules, DOER continued to weaken the proposed air pollution and greenhouse gas standards in the regulations and increase the financial benefits for the biomass industry. There are no provisions in the regulations to monitor increased air pollution, quantify public health outcomes or costs, or protect forests from overharvesting.

With each new draft of the regulations, they became worse. The final regulations contain harmful new provisions that the public has never had the opportunity to review and comment on, including:

  • expanding “eligible woody biomass fuel” to include green wood chips, which are extremely polluting and inefficient due to their high moisture content
  • allowing biomass units that receive APS credits to use as little as 30% eligible woody biomass fuels, instead of 100% as required in earlier versions of the draft regulations
  • increasing the level of public subsidies eligible biomass units can receive (up to 80%) and allowing bioenergy combined heat and power facilities to “double-dip” from subsidies.

Under MA law, regulations issued by DOER must be sent to the State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (TUE) for a 30-day review before they can be finalized. The TUE Committee has the authority to hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations and to submit a report to DOER with its recommendations.

Unless the TUE takes action swiftly, these regulations will become law. That’s why we need your help. Please call or write the Chairs of the TUE Committee and your own state representatives TODAY and urge them to hold a public hearing and call for a moratorium on the APS biomass regulations until they are corrected.

The proposed regulations are posted on the DOER website.

For more information about biomass, please visit PFPI’s website.

 

Executive Coordinator & Trustee Liaison
Massachusetts Chapter of the Nature COnservancy

The Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is recruiting for an Executive Coordinator & Trustee Liaison to be responsible for supporting the State Director, Assistant State Director, and Massachusetts Board of Trustees. S/He provides high-level administrative support and manages the operations of the Board of Trustees. For more information and to apply, visit www.nature.org/careers and search for Job #45877. Posting closes 11/29/17.


Fee Stewardship Coordinator
MA Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife | Westborough, MA

The Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is accepting resumes and applications from applicants for the position of Fee Stewardship Coordinator. The Fee Stewardship Coordinator is the primary overseer and manager of the realty aspects of MassWildlife’s fee-owned properties, which include 167,000 acres assembled over the last century.  The individual will have a thorough understanding of real estate terminology and research techniques and become familiar with the entirety of the agency’s portfolio of properties, in order to advise staff on matters of acquisition and stewardship.

The Fee Stewardship Coordinator will maintain realty records, coordinate boundary-marking efforts, survey contracts and other services, and manage selected boundary disputes and encroachment issues. He or she will conduct deed research and provide advice regarding property interests as necessary in support of agency stewardship, acquisition, and public enjoyment of agency lands. This effort will include periodic monitoring and site visits, collaboration in implementing the agency’s Land Information System, procuring signage, assisting in the development of agency land-use policies, and being a good colleague for the other members of the Realty Section (Chief, CR Coordinator, Realty Specialist, and interns).

To learn more and to apply, click here.


Hilltown Families Is Hiring

Hilltown Families is hiring an Interpretive Writer and Development & Sales Officer, as well as an Executive Director. 

They also have openings for volunteers and interns. Take a look at their website here for all of the details.


MA Community Organizer
Mothers Out Front : Mobilizing For A Livable Climate | Worcester, MA

Position Summary:  The Massachusetts Community Organizer builds and supports volunteer-led community teams to grow a diverse and powerful movement of mothers that develops and implements campaigns to achieve a swift, complete, and just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Specifically, the Community Organizer works to:

  1. Identify mothers, grandmothers and other caregivers in Worcester and Central Massachusetts who share Mothers Out Front’s goals and are willing to take action to reduce climate change;

  2. Support the creation of member-led teams in diverse communities in Worcester and Central Massachusetts by helping to organize house parties and coaching team leaders and potential leaders;

  3. Support member-led teams to launch and carry out local Mothers Out Front campaigns;

  4. Connect local teams to state campaigns and national Mothers Out Front movement work across states; and

  5. Provide “in-the-background” support and training to team members to strengthen their leadership skills, including their use of data and technology to support organizing.

READ THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION & APPLY HERE


Event Planner
Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee | Westfield, MA 

In 2018, the Westfield River will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary since being designated as a National Wild & Scenic River. This happens to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. As we near a quarter century of protecting the Westfield River and half century of protecting some of the greatest rivers in the United States, we hope to celebrate the accomplishments of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System with a series of events and promotional materials. The Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee seeks an Event Planner to assist us with our 25th and 50th Wild & Scenic Anniversaries outreach and events in 2018. Proposals will be accepted until filled with an initial review to begin on September 28th, 2017. RFQ Details here.


 Environmental Health Manager
Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition | Springfield, MA

Primary Objective
Partners for a Healthier Communities (PHC)’ Environmental Health Manager (listed on the Baystate Health website (as “Community Health Planning/Environmental Health) is responsible for the planning, program development, and evaluation of environmental health and other projects, including assistance to subcontractors and community partners allied with the agency in this these efforts. The environmental health initiative will focus on a variety of types of projects, including the management of the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, systems and policy change, and collective impact. The Environmental Health Manager will cultivate and strengthen strategic community partnerships and alliances between local, regional, and state-level coalitions and advocacy organizations; community-based nonprofit corporations; and business, social, educational, and health entities.

Role of the Environmental Health Manager
The position’s role typically involves grantwriting and reporting, leading environmental health projects, and convening as necessary community partners and clients to achieve the needed goals of projects.  Partnerships could be with sectors such as faith, business, education, academic, healthcare, social sector entities.

In particular, the position implements programming for initiatives to improve the health of people enrolled in the project:

  1. Develops programs and services that promote best and emerging practices for the environmental health area.  Designs and implements collaborative strategies with community partners and collaborators such as  social organizations, faith communities, community-based organizations and so on;
  2. Assists in strategic thinking, research and evaluation and program planning to achieve the corporation’s strategic goals and objectives assigned to the Consultant.  In this area, the Consultant is primarily responsible for implementing strategies such as providing training and technical assistance to help prioritize issues and develop community partnerships, utilizing data to execute new initiatives, evaluate results and communicate progress.
  3. Provides facilitative leadership to fellow community leaders, and offers opportunities and/or shares experiences, perspectives and expertise on issues such as partnership development, meeting planning, facilitation, and conflict management;
  4. Provides facilitative leadership to the project team in action planning including steps and/or activities to address the priority areas, and implementing actions with a timeline, identifiable milestones and evaluation measures;
  5. Oversee subcontractors when necessary and student interns;

Performance Expectations
It is expected that the Environmental Health Manager will work under the general supervision of the Director of Programs & Development.

The Environmental Health Manager’s work entails the day-to-day management (including planning, directing and organizing staff, programming and funding responsibility) of Environmental Health programs and activities.

  1. Programs will meet the objective of the strategic goals and objectives of PHC.
  2. Coalition-building activities will adhere to PHC standards.
  3. In establishing community programs, planning will adhere to a community health planning methodology and the planning processes will result in high quality successful programs.
  4. Community programs and issues will undergo regular assessments and review based on published reports on internal and external environmental issues related to the corporations health priority areas.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy or related field required.  Master’s level college degree in these areas is preferred.
  • Applicant must have five years of relevant experience in a role of a program manager or supervisor in a public health or human service program. Five years of relevant experience in a role equivalent to a Program Director of a major public health program is preferred.

Core Competencies
The high visibility of this position, both internally and externally, requires that the Environmental Health Manager have

  • Experience designing and implementing program and initiative planning;
  • Highly proficient writing skills;
  • Strong interpersonal, facilitation and collaborative planning skills;
  • Proven abilities to work with and within teams;
  • Strong written and oral communication skills; bilingual preferred
  • A high degree of computer literacy;
  • Demonstrated use of community problem-solving skills;
  • Demonstrated facilitative leadership experiences in a community setting; and
  • Strong understanding of the public health environment (including asthma and environmental health) and the healthcare environment.
  • Strong public presentation skills

About Partners for a Healthier Community
Partners for a Healthier Community, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, provides skills, expertise and experience to create successful public health campaigns and sustainable system changes to improve health and well-being in Western MA. Through partnerships, we build on community assets and build community capacity to positively impact social determinants of health. Our services include Research and Assessment, Coalition-building, Program Evaluation and Health Policy Development. PHC is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit with a 20 member Board of Directors and relies on state, federal and private grants and contracts. PHC contracts with Baystate Health for Human Resources services.

TO APPLY: Candidates for PHC’s Environmental Health Manager (Community Health Planning Consultant/Environmental Health) should apply through Baystate Health’s job portal at https://www.baystatehealthjobs.com/job/springfield/community-health-planning-consultant-environmental-health-full-time/156/5671580


Campus Organizer
PIRG Campus Action | Western MA

FULL TIME CAREER POSITION
At PIRG Campus Action, our full time organizers work on college campuses across the country to empower students to make a difference on critical environmental and social issues.

If we’re serious about climate change, we can’t afford to drag our feet—so we’re pushing cities and states to commit to 100% renewable energy, now. We rely on bees to pollinate our food, yet we’re allowing some pesticides to drive them toward extinction—so we’re working to ban these bee-killing pesticides. People in our communities and even students on college campuses are dealing with hunger and homelessness that affect their quality of life. We’re raising funds, toiletries, and food items for our local relief agencies – as well as holding fundraisers for Hurricane Relief for the communities in TX, FL, and the Caribbean who were hit from the recent natural disasters.

We’re looking for an individual who has the passion and the drive it takes to win positive change on these important issues, and who isn’t afraid of hard work. Ideally, this person has experience working on campaigns or with groups on campus. Our Berkshires organizer will mobilize a team of passionate students to run a campus chapter on two campuses in Western MA. You’ll recruit dozens of students to volunteer and get involved, and teach them how to plan and run effective campaigns through internships and on-the-ground training.

You’ll build relationships with faculty and administrators, while organizing news events and rallies, and generating the grassroots support it takes to win campaigns. During the summer, you’ll run a citizen outreach office, building the organization by canvassing and training others to canvass. And you’ll learn from some of the best organizers in the country—people who have been doing this work for more than 30 years.

Location: Western MA (organizing at Berkshire Community College and Mass College of Liberal Arts)
We’re also hiring organizers to work on college campuses in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon and a few other states.

Pay & benefits
The target annual compensation for this position is $25,500 in the first year. PIRG Campus Action offers a competitive benefits package. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Apply here today or contact Samantha@masspirgstudents.org directly with any inquiries or recommendations for candidates.


Regional Recycling Coordinator
City of Pittsfield | Pittsfield, MA

The Municipal Assistance Coordinator for the Western District (WE) provides technical assistance to municipalities to increase recycling, composting, waste reduction, household hazardous waste diversion and regional cooperation.  The City of Pittsfield has been awarded a Host Community grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to fund this position.

The Coordinator will act under the supervision of the MassDEP and will serve 100 municipalities in a district known as “Western”.  The district extends from Ware to Richmond.  For a map and list of communities in the district, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/macmap.htm

This is an independent contractor position.  The position is funded at 36 hours per week, with an annual ceiling of 1,800 hours.  Annual compensation is commensurate with experience, starting at not less than $55,000.  An additional $5,000 annual reimbursement is provided for self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare). Use of personal vehicle is required.  Vehicle mileage, tolls and parking =will be reimbursed.  Limited funding for in-state professional conferences is also provided.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:  Friday, September 8, 2017 @ 4:00PM
Full listing and application details here.


Conservation Projects Manager
Housatonic Valley Association | Cornwall Bridge, CT

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented environmental professional to join our Watershed Conservation Team. The successful candidate will support all aspects of HVA’s conservation projects, which include (but aren’t limited to) environmental monitoring, regional road-stream crossing assessment and replacement planning, watershed management planning, stream corridor restoration, stormwater management through Green Infrastructure development, and environmental education. This position is based out of HVA’s Connecticut office.

This is only a part of the job description. To view the full descriptions and to apply, click here.


Director of Ecological Restoration
MA Department of Fish & Game | Boston, MA

The Division of Ecological Restoration is charged with restoring and protecting the health and integrity of the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. This mission is critical to the success of the Department of Fish and Game that manages, protects, and restores the natural resources of the Commonwealth.

The Division of Ecological Restoration works with community-based partners to restore aquatic ecosystems. The Division’s ecological restoration work brings clean water, recreation opportunities, and other ecosystem services to the citizens of Massachusetts.

The Director leads the Division of Ecological Restoration, one of three Divisions (and one Office) of the Department of Fish and Game. The Director is responsible for all functions and program performance ensuring that the Deputy Director is properly managing the day-today operations of the Division and the assistant director is administering annual budgets properly. The Director develops and makes sure the annual and five-year strategic plan goals are implemented and sets procedures and program priorities for the Deputy Director and Assistant Director to faithfully administer. The Director oversees development of the operational and capital budgets and manages a diverse staff.

This is only a small part of the job description. Click here to read the full description and to apply. 


Various Positions at Co-op Power

Co-op Power in Florence, MA, is hiring for:

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Energy Efficiency Program Manager
  • Community Solar Program Director
  • Energy Efficiency Intern
  • Community Solar Interns

Full details and how to apply here.

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2017-18 Position Openings with TerraCorps – Various locations

TerraCorps, formerly MassLIFT-AmeriCorps, is an innovative national service program helping communities conserve and secure land for the health and well-being of people and nature. This year we are looking for 36 members to serve in full-time, 11 month positions. Members will carry out capacity building projects; educate or train individuals; recruit, train, manage, and support community volunteers engaged in land-based activities; and identify new individuals and groups to participate in education, recreation, or service opportunities centered around land access and conservation.

Members serve as: Land Stewardship Coordinators, Regional Conservation Coordinators, Youth Education Coordinators, or Community Engagement Coordinators.

These 1,700 hour AmeriCorps positions receive a living allowance, education award, and additional AmeriCorps benefits. The 2017-2018 program will run from 8/28/17 – 7/27/18.

Application specifics, position descriptions, and information about organizations hosting TerraCorps members can be found at here.

Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

AmeriCorps programs provide equal service opportunities. TerraCorps will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to any particular status. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request. TerraCorps is a grant program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

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