The BEAT News | November 15, 2017

 Water protector Winona LaDuke speaks on ‘cannibal economics,’ courage and fighting pipelines

Take a stand for the land, and be a water protector.That was the main message that Winona LaDuke and other guest speakers conveyed during the 37th annual E.F. Schumacher Lectures held at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 4. LaDuke, a Native American activist, author and economist, delivered the keynote address titled “Prophecy of the Seventh Fire: Choosing the Path That is Green.” This indigenous prophecy of the Ojibwe Nation holds that a time will come when people must choose between two paths: one that is green and lush, the other well-worn but scorched. According to LaDuke, a member of the Ojibwe Nation of the Anishinaabe peoples, the time to choose is now. FROM THE BERKSHIRE EDGE <more> 

Utilities manipulated natural gas supplies, causing artificial shortages, soaring energy prices, study finds

[ BEAT Note : Last week we shared the class-action lawsuit that is forming on this topic. To find out more and to see if you are eligible to join the class click here. ]For years, New England’s high electricity prices have been blamed on inadequate natural gas pipeline capacity. Poking a large hole in the scarce-capacity narrative is a white paper, “Vertical Market Power in Interconnected Natural Gas and Electricity Markets,” released in October by four economists – one from the Environmental Defense Fund and three academic researchers from universities. The researchers assert that the two dominant energy companies in New England – Eversource and Avangrid – engaged in practices that hiked consumers’ gas and electric bills, raised rivals’ costs, and may have been intended to tilt public opinion toward embracing new gas pipelines. FROM THE BERKSHIRE EDGE <more> 

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Planting of 10,000th Greening the Gateway Cities Tree

At a ceremonial planting, Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Leo Roy, today joined with City of Lynn officials and others to celebrate the planting of the 10,000th tree under the Commonwealth’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program. The program, which increases the number of trees within urban neighborhoods, provides energy efficiency and environmental benefits to Gateway Cities across Massachusetts. Since the program’s inception, 13 of the state’s 26 Gateway Cities have participated. FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS <more> 

Amherst bylaw to mandate energy for town buildings

A fire station for South Amherst and a new Department of Public Works headquarters will have to be built as zero-energy buildings, based on a bylaw adopted by Town Meeting Wednesday that supporters believe is the first of its kind in the state. Despite objections from the Select Board, which asked that it be allowed to study the bylaw, Town Meeting voted 123-54 in favor of mandating new and improved municipal buildings immediately meet the new standard. A zero-energy building is one that produces as much energy as it uses on an annual basis. FROM DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE  <more> 

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Governors Lauded for Announcement on Transportation and Climate
Stakeholders See a Promising Model in RGGI’s Successful “Cap-and-Invest” Approach to Tackling Power

November 13, 2017 – Leading environmental, health, scientific and business organizations today applauded the announcement by seven states and Washington, D.C. of plans to develop a regional policy to reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector. The move was endorsed today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Acadia Center, Sierra Club, and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and five other groups.

The announcement by Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont was made during the Bonn Climate Change Summit. FROM SIERRA CLUB <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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Water protector Winona LaDuke speaks on ‘cannibal economics,’ courage and fighting pipelines 

[ BEAT Note : Robert HawkStorm Birch of the Schaghticoke First Nations peoples is mentioned below but it is important to note that Sachem HawkStorm lives just over the border in Wassaic, New York. As sachem (chief) he is leading the effort to build a Schaghticoke cultural center to rebuild his people’s language, culture, sovereignty. To find out more, click here. ]

Great Barrington — Take a stand for the land, and be a water protector.

That was the main message that Winona LaDuke and other guest speakers conveyed during the 37th annual E.F. Schumacher Lectures held at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 4. LaDuke, a Native American activist, author and economist, delivered the keynote address titled “Prophecy of the Seventh Fire: Choosing the Path That is Green.” This indigenous prophecy of the Ojibwe Nation holds that a time will come when people must choose between two paths: one that is green and lush, the other well-worn but scorched. According to LaDuke, a member of the Ojibwe Nation of the Anishinaabe peoples, the time to choose is now.

“Frankly, I’m pretty sure that’s where we all are. We’re at this moment in time when we have the ability to stop them from combusting the planet to no abandon. We have a shot at keeping them from genetically engineering the world’s food supply. We have a shot at keeping them from topping off any more mountains,” said LaDuke. “We have a shot at stopping some pretty extreme behavior at the end of the cannibal or the wendigo economy. And that is, in my estimation, a great spiritual opportunity for us all.”

The “cannibal economy” LaDuke referred to is the dominant, capitalist economic system that is completely opposite from the indigenous worldview and its principles of sustainability. In a nutshell, these principles as described by LaDuke include an understanding that 1) the creator’s law or law of nature is the highest law of all; 2) the natural world is cyclical and mostly animate; 3) reciprocity and gratitude are essential; and 4) deliberations consider the long-term interest and impact on the seventh generation from now. By contrast, the dominant system makes laws based on who is in power; has a linear orientation; is driven by commodification, extraction and accumulation of wealth; and is geared toward short-term interests and decision-making. “That’s the arrogance of a system that has no check with reality,” said LaDuke.

Changing course away from the dominant, cannibalistic system–choosing the green path–takes courage. “The times mandate that we have courage,” LaDuke added. “The times do not mandate that we sit and debate things endlessly in our islands of political correctness. The times require that we take action and do the right thing.”

LaDuke cited the example of the rising resistance to fossil fuel infrastructure. She participated in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock last year, where pipeline opponents invoked the term “water protector” to describe their position. “I’m very honored to be a water protector,” said LaDuke.

Currently she is involved in the fight against the Enbridge Line 3 tar sands pipeline in her home state of Minnesota. The resistance is already starting to resemble Standing Rock, and LaDuke said she welcomes folks to come to Minnesota and join the water protectors there. If the state issues a permit for the pipeline this spring, she expects thousands of water protectors will assemble there.

A small group of water protectors have come to the Berkshires to support the opposition to the Connecticut Expansion pipeline in Sandisfield. Police-protestor tensions have escalated recentlyas the pipeline is expected to carry fracked gas starting this month. Activists have fought this project persistently with over 70 arrests occurring since last spring.

In response to a question about this local pipeline battle, LaDuke said to keep the pressure on. She pointed out that Kinder Morgan – the company that owns the Connecticut Expansion pipeline – is currently buried in litigation in British Columbia.

Following LaDuke’s keynote, a diverse panel of social justice activists discussed topics such as land reform and liberation, indigenous language and decolonization, and doing transformational work in these tumultuous times.

“Instability is the new reality,” said panelist Gopal Dayaneni. “We’re going to have to surf the collapse of a death-dependent economy.”

In his closing remarks, panelist Robert Hawk Storm Birch of the Schaghticoke First Nations peoples offered some words of wisdom for the work ahead. “Let’s work on decolonizing our minds,” he said. “Understand that we are connected to this land, we are part of this land.”

“Be a water protector,” LaDuke, who joined the panel at the end, said in closing the event. Water protectors in the audience responded with chants of mni wiconi (water is life) and “we stand!” for the land, the water and each other.

 

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Utilities manipulated natural gas supplies, causing artificial shortages, soaring energy prices, study finds 

 
[ BEAT Note : Last week we shared the class-action lawsuit that is forming on this topic. To find out more and to see if you are eligible to join the class click here. ]

For years, New England’s high electricity prices have been blamed on inadequate natural gas pipeline capacity.

Poking a large hole in the scarce-capacity narrative is a white paper, “Vertical Market Power in Interconnected Natural Gas and Electricity Markets,” released in October by four economists – one from the Environmental Defense Fund and three academic researchers from universities.

The researchers assert that the two dominant energy companies in New England – Eversource and Avangrid – engaged in practices that hiked consumers’ gas and electric bills, raised rivals’ costs, and may have been intended to tilt public opinion toward embracing new gas pipelines.

The authors have found strong evidence that severe, simultaneous price spikes in the gas and electricity markets were caused in part by the practices of the two New England utility giants.

The study, which focused on data from 2013-2016, asserts that these two companies regularly restricted natural gas capacity to the region by scheduling deliveries without actually flowing gas on the Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline, one of the two major pipelines serving New England.

New England, like most of the country, has been retiring coal-powered electric generation and replacing it with natural gas. Over 50 percent of its total electric generation now comes from gas.

New England ratepayers paid $3.6 billion more for electricity due to capacity withholding

The study estimates that capacity withholding increased average gas and electricity prices by 38 percent and 20 percent respectively, during the three-year period.

During the winters, gas prices averaged 68 percent higher.

As for electricity during the three-year time frame, New England customers paid $3.6 billion more than they would have absent the capacity withholding,

About half of this increase occurred during the particularly cold winter of 2013-2014, the “Polar Vortex.”

According to the researchers, the scheduling practices tied up capacity that, in a well-functioning market, should have been released, or would have otherwise been made available, to other shippers. Instead, significant quantities of pipeline capacity went unutilized on many of the coldest days of the year, pushing up the prices of gas, which, in turn, pushed up electric prices.

The report explains that, although most gas shippers had little incentive to sacrifice revenue from gas sales by withholding capacity, the two New England energy companies that withheld capacity were not only in the natural gas business, but also own large portfolios of electric generation units in New England, giving them incentive to increase gas prices in order to raise rivals’ costs in the electric generation market.

“That is,” the study states, “by restricting sales of a necessary input to production for their downstream competitors in the wholesale electricity market, the capacity-withholding firms increased the quantity of electricity their largely non-gas units were called upon to generate and the price those units earned.”

“Clear Patterns” of withholding gas shown by analysis of “downscheduling”

The researchers examined three years’ worth of publically available data on natural gas flowing to dozens of delivery points, or “nodes,” on the Algonquin Pipeline, about 8 million data points in all.

They discovered that a subset of delivery nodes was disproportionately served by specialized types of contracts that allowed the two utilities to make last-minute changes to withhold gas deliveries without notice and without penalty. This practice – called downscheduling – results in empty pipeline space when it is too late for the pipeline to resell.

The impact was substantial. Over a three-year period, the daily average amount of gas was reduced by about 14 percent of the volume typically used to supply gas-fired generators, but on 37 winter days, including the “Polar Vortex,” “about 28 percent of the gas supply needed by gas-fired generators was withheld at those delivery points.

The publication Utility Dive states that researchers for the study analyzed hourly scheduling data for the 117 delivery nodes on the Algonquin Pipeline over three years.

One of the co-authors of the study, Matthew Zagora-Watkins, an assistant economics professor at Vanderbilt University, said, in Utility Dive, “they would essentially schedule all of the capacity they needed at the nodes, pretend they were going to use it, and then at the last moment they would down-schedule pretty substantially – in the order of 25 percent to 50 percent of the capacity that was scheduled to go to those nodes.”

Utilities address gas supply costs; are silent on electricity prices

As reported in Utility Dive, Eversource strongly disputed the report as “false and misleading.” The spokesperson for the company stated, “We do not engage in any behavior to underutilize capacity to ‘artificially constrain capacity.’” Rather, she wrote, “our focus and actions are driven by the necessity to ensure a reliable and reasonable gas supply for those customers that we are obligated to supply.”

Avangrid acknowledged that it has the ability to alter capacity with little notice, but that is “to protect customers from interruptions.”

The companies pointed out that their gas sales are strictly regulated. “The gas distribution business is carefully regulated and the gas supply we purchase for our customers is a strict pass-through cost – meaning we don’t benefit from higher prices derived from withholding,” wrote the Eversource spokesperson.

In fact, it is true that the companies cannot resell excess gas capacity on the secondary market. Connecticut and Massachusetts require nearly all of those revenues to be returned to the ratepayers, according to the report.

However, former Maine utility regulator David Littell explained to the utility publication, “Eversource’s statement on pass-through costs speaks only to their gas supply costs. It doesn’t at all speak to the income stream from electricity prices going up or the income stream from substantial investments from an affiliate in gas pipelines, which would increase their rate base.”

Mr. Littell also said, “[the Study] provides an explanation for something that hadn’t had any decent explanation despite thousands of pages of testimony, which is why during this time period the pipelines weren’t being fully utilized despite the high demand and the high prices.”

“A big time scandal [like] Enron”

Senior Counsel at the Pillsbury law firm in Washington, DC, Andy Weissman, reacted strongly to the capacity withholding report, saying “If this analysis is correct, honestly, this isn’t a whole lot short of Enron. If customers really paid $3.6 billion as a result of withheld capacity…that is a big time scandal that is going to lead to huge litigation.”

Another Senior Counsel at the same law firm, James Dick, is an expert in the federal Sherman Antitrust Act, which is designed to prevent, among other things, unfair exercise of monopoly power,

He believes the U.S. Department of Justice, which enforces the antitrust laws, should open an investigation of Avangrid’s and Eversource’s restricting of gas capacity and their apparent effort to raise their rivals’ costs in the electricity market.

“That conduct is clearly anti-competitive and anti-consumer,” he said, “and could constitute a violation of the Sherman Act.”

An opportunity for market reform

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) sees the possible market manipulation as an opportunity for market reform.

N. Jonathan Peres, EDF Senior Director of Energy Market Policy, said that the group is proposing a list of reforms that would make wholesale gas and electricity markets more efficient, more competitive, and also more effective at reducing pollution.

“Improved transparency, new pricing structures, and better alignment of risks and rewards will improve competitiveness and help drive new innovation in energy technology,” he said.

Report raises fresh questions about the region’s need for gas

Both Kinder-Morgan and Enbridge Gas Transmission (formerly Spectra Energy) have cancelled pipeline projects that would have crossed Massachusetts.

The Northeast Energy Direct project failed to attract enough customers.

Enbridge, which had partnered with Eversource and National Grid, suspended the Access Northeast pipeline last June after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that Massachusetts law did not allow electric ratepayers to be responsible for funding a pipeline project.

Ratepayer funding would not have been necessary, however, if commercial customers had entered into contracts to ship gas.

Backers of both projects had insisted that Massachusetts faced continued high gas and electricity prices without more natural gas and increased pipeline infrastructure. But if this were the case, commercial markets for gas shipping would have supported construction of both pipelines.

The utilities appear to have had an additional motive for withholding gas. Not only did the practice raise rivals’ costs in the electric generation market, but also the artificially created gas shortages and high energy prices lent credibility to the arguments for natural gas pipelines.

Attorney General, Maura Healey released a report in November 2015 that reached the opposite conclusion – that increased gas capacity was not needed in New England.

Now the economists’ report on the gas withholding of Eversource and Avangrid is on the Attorney General’s desk. The AG’s office has, so far, found the report “concerning,” and is reviewing it carefully. After review, the Attorney General may open a formal investigation.

As for a federal reaction, FERC spokesperson, Tamara Young-Allen wrote, “FERC doesn’t publicly discuss investigations, so I can’t confirm or deny any potential enforcement activity.”

Former Maine utility regulator, David Littell, put the report in context. He said, “At the same time that Avangrid and Eversource were engaging in capacity withholding, these same companies, with other affiliates, were in front of our commission asking us to approve billions of dollars of additional pipeline capacity.”

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Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Planting of 10,000th Greening the Gateway Cities Tree 

FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 

LYNN – At a ceremonial planting, Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Leo Roy, today joined with City of Lynn officials and others to celebrate the planting of the 10,000th tree under the Commonwealth’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program. The program, which increases the number of trees within urban neighborhoods, provides energy efficiency and environmental benefits to Gateway Cities across Massachusetts. Since the program’s inception, 13 of the state’s 26 Gateway Cities have participated.

“Massachusetts has always been at the forefront of innovative environmental initiatives, such as the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, that provide benefits to homeowners, local businesses, and municipalities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Commonwealth is grateful to see so many positive results from the efforts of our dedicated foresters and tree planting crews to reduce energy consumption through increased urban tree canopy.”

“From Pittsfield to Lynn, thirteen of the Commonwealth’s cities have directly benefitted from partnerships under the Greening the Gateway Cities Program and we look forward to planting the next 10,000 trees,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration is committed to investing in the future of the Commonwealth’s urban communities, protecting and enhancing important environmental resources.”

Last year, the Baker-Polito Administration expanded the Greening the Gateway Cities Program to include Lynn alongside the cities of Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Fall River, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, and Revere.  To support planting in these thirteen cities, the Commonwealth is investing $8 million per year in energy efficiency and state capital funds to plant thousands of trees averaging six feet in height.  Already, more than 200 trees have been planted in the City of Lynn, progressing toward the goal of 2,400. As the trees mature, the program is expected to yield financial benefits that amount to more than twice the investment made by the Baker-Polito Administration.

 

“The expansion of DCR’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program has allowed communities like Lynn to reap the benefits of a healthier, more vibrant urban tree canopy, while allowing the Commonwealth to pursue its emission reduction goals under the Global Warming Solutions Act,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beaton. “Connecting residents with the nature around them is good for both our climate and our economy, and I look forward to seeing thousands more trees planted across our Gateway Cities in the near future.”

 

Through the program, communities will see numerous benefits, including:

An expansion of the urban tree canopy by 5-10% in select neighborhoods in each Gateway City;

Savings of approximately $230 a year through reduced heating and cooling costs for each household within selected neighborhoods;

Increased property values for thousands of residents living within 50 feet of new trees;

Increased tax receipts for cities thanks to more valuable properties;

Hiring of foresters and tree planting crews from the cities where planting takes place;

Reduction in stormwater runoff;

Increased air quality; and

A safer, healthier environment for residents.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is fortunate to have so many partners at the local level who have worked closely with us to implement successful programs like Greening the Gateway Cities, and today’s planting signifies how much has been accomplished,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “Importantly, by increasing tree canopy within urban communities, the Baker-Polito Administration is able o improve air quality, reduce energy consumption, and further beautify neighborhoods, by bringing parks to the people.”

“It’s great to celebrate the planting of the 10,000th tree through the Greening the Gateway Cities Program here in Lynn today,” said State Senator Thomas M. McGee (D-Lynn). “State and local partnerships such as this will result in safer, healthier enironments for our residents.”

“From our thousands of acres of forest in Lynn Woods to our many parklands across the city, we have always taken pride in our trees and natural resources,” said State Representative Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn).”This program is both great for the environment and improves our neighborhoods.”

“Urban forestation leads to a cleaner environment and a decrease in adverse health effects,” said State Representative Dan Cahill. “Greening the Gateway Cities program is a successful commitment to growing Lynn’s urban ecosystem and benefiting us for years to come.”

 

Residents or property owners in targeted neighborhoods within the 13 Gateway Cities where planting is taking place that wish to participate may sign up to receive planted trees at no costs as long as they commit to watering the trees for two summers. Interested parties may call the DCR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program at 617-626-1502 or visit the agency’s website.

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Amherst bylaw to mandate energy for town buildings

AMHERST — A fire station for South Amherst and a new Department of Public Works headquarters will have to be built as zero-energy buildings, based on a bylaw adopted by Town Meeting Wednesday that supporters believe is the first of its kind in the state.

Despite objections from the Select Board, which asked that it be allowed to study the bylaw, Town Meeting voted 123-54 in favor of mandating new and improved municipal buildings immediately meet the new standard. A zero-energy building is one that produces as much energy as it uses on an annual basis.

“We need it now. Now is the time to do it,” Lydia Vernon-Jones of Precinct 5 said.

“I think we’ve got to do it, and stop waiting,” Gerry Weiss of Precinct 8 said.

While passing the new bylaw, and adopting a resolution calling for Amherst to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, Town Meeting also passed a measure asking the state Legislature, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Gov. Charlie Baker to revise the funding formula for charter schools before allowing expansions or new schools to open.

Select Board member Andy Steinberg said that the money leaving Amherst, which amounted to $3.6 million last year, is undermining the educational goals of the town’s schools.

Amherst is likely the first community in Massachusetts to pass a zero-energy bylaw, according to Anne Perkins, a member of Mothers Out Front.

“We feel really good about this,” Perkins said after the vote.

But the vote came despite a recommendation for more study, which was defeated 112-73.

Lead petitioner Lee Jennings said all new building and additions will have to comply.

“These are highly efficient buildings that produce as much energy as they consume during the course of a year,” Jennings said.

Christopher Riddle of Precinct 2 said there is a 10 percent premium on construction costs to create efficiencies and use renewables in these buildings. But he believes such projects can be done for fire stations and DPWs. The Jones Library project would be exempt, since it is not a town-owned building.

Steinberg spoke against the measure.

“The Select Board supports zero energy as a goal, and we probably think we can achieve it with many buildings in the future,” he said. But, he cautioned, the bylaw could mean needed buildings don’t get built.

Though the bylaw allows the town to continue trying if it fails to achieve zero energy, Chairman Douglas Slaughter said there are significant capital expenses when trying to meet the standard.

Rebekah Demling of Precinct 7 said the unknown consequences prompted her to support more study.

“I want Amherst to be a green community, but I want to do it correctly, not fix things after the fact,” Demling said.

Andra Rose, a Precinct 4 Town Meeting member, said the goal is to move as quickly as possible to local, clean and renewable energy.

She noted that Northampton and Pelham are also interested in making a similar commitment. “When we vote on this resolution today, we will be influencing our neighbors directly,” Rose said.

The communities will do this by pursuing community choice aggregation, or community choice energy.

“Our hope is we’ll be able to green the grid through this method,” Rose said.

Public shade trees

By voice vote, Town Meeting agreed to a bylaw that collects fines for removal of healthy public shade trees.

Public Shade Tree Committee Chairman Henry Lappen said the bylaw ensures that healthy trees are protected, and the town will have money for a good tree canopy. “This ordinance will help give a little more oomph to the policy tree warden Alan Snow uses,” Lappen said.

By a 99-81, Town Meeting established a new advisory committee that will review articles before they come to Town Meeting.

John Hornik of Precinct 7 said the Town Meeting Advisory Committee will be able to provide information on benefits and impacts to special populations, economic groups and the town’s streetscape.

“I think it’s a good idea, it’s worth a shot,” Hornik said.

Though opposed by the Select Board as potentially adding more work to town staff, Meg Gage of Precinct 1 said the committee is consistent with other reforms that serve to improve Town Meeting.

In other business, Town Meeting defeated a moratorium on recreational marijuana shops, which would have not allowed them to open until Jan. 1, 2019, and agreed to the creation of a study committee that will explore regionalization of the town’s elementary schools with Pelham’s elementary school.

Town Meeting resumes Monday with the final three articles, which include a zoning change aimed at making it easier to develop private parking structures downtown and petitions seeking improvements to the North Amherst Library and support for the state’s End of Life Options Act.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Governors Lauded for Announcement on Transportation and Climate
Stakeholders See a Promising Model in RGGI’s Successful “Cap-and-Invest” Approach to Tackling Power

BOSTON AND BONN – November 13, 2017 – Leading environmental, health, scientific and business organizations today applauded the announcement by seven states and Washington, D.C. of plans to develop a regional policy to reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector. The move was endorsed today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Acadia Center, Sierra Club, and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and five other groups.

The announcement by Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont was made during the Bonn Climate Change Summit.

All of the states in question have years of experience with what is known as the “cap-and-invest” model through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) for power plant emissions.  In the eight years since RGGI arrived on the scene, carbon pollution from power plants has fallen by 40 percent, while the program has simultaneously saved consumers money, increased economic growth, created jobs and improved public health.

One possible path for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states would be to adopt a program similar to RGGI for an upgraded and cleaner transportation system.  The cap-and-invest model would provide funding and incentives to: accelerate adoption of electric cars, trucks and buses; expand public transit and ride sharing; and build walkable, bikable and transit-oriented communities accessible to all residents. These solutions can mean fewer delays, safer travel, reduced health and climate impacts … and, just as importantly, more jobs and a more equitable transportation system that benefits everyone, including those who need help the  most. It is estimated that a RGGI-like approach would cut transportation climate pollution by 40 percent, create more than 100,000 new jobs and put $14.4 billion in families’ pockets – all by 2030.

Statements from the nine groups follow:

Ken Kimmell, president, Union of Concerned Scientists, and former chairman, RGGI board of directors, said: “The states’ announcement today is an important one, as the states have now committed to robust public input on the critical issue of providing a better, cleaner transportation system in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states.  All good policies start with listening to the public, and the states’ decision to do so now shows that they are serious about tackling this problem and that they are going about it the right way. It appears that one of the options for discussion is a regional cap and invest program covering transportation fuels; this option could help improve our public transportation system, provide more affordable housing near public transit, and speed the transition to electric vehicles. These investments will mean more jobs, better health, less money spent on gasoline, and more mobility choices for Northeast/mid-Atlantic residents.”

Jackson Morris, director, Eastern Energy, NRDC, said: “As the Trump administration continues its reckless climate denial, states are stepping up and doubling down on climate action. Cleaning up transportation will turbocharge this region’s economy, reduce traffic jams, and save consumers money. The commitment of these bipartisan governors to lead on transportation, just as they’ve led on clean energy for years, is an important step in capturing the jobs and economic opportunities that will flow from a clean and modern transportation system.”

Mark Kresowik, deputy regional director, Sierra Club, said: “Modernizing and electrifying our transportation sector creates jobs, grows our economy, reduces congestion and other traffic delays, and saves lives. Northeast states already have a proven bipartisan model to reduce climate-disrupting pollution and improve an energy system, the successful and popular Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. As Northeast state officials continue to lead on climate protection, and commit to listening to their constituents in developing a clean and prosperous energy future, they should apply lessons learned from RGGI to limit pollution from transportation fuels and invest in clean mobility for our families, businesses, and communities.”

Jordan Stutt, policy analyst, Acadia Center, said: “We commend these states for providing climate leadership when we need it most. Transportation accounts for more carbon pollution than any other sector, but as we have seen from RGGI, regional, market-based climate policy can reduce harmful emissions while driving the economy forward.”

Phelps Turner, staff attorney, Conservation Law Foundation, said: “Transportation is the single largest source of climate-disrupting emissions that pollute our air and threaten our health. And with a federal government that refuses to act on climate change, it’s more critical than ever that local leaders step up. Today’s announcement demonstrates a firm commitment to expanding the proven RGGI model and ensuring that the future of transportation is safe, affordable and clean.”

“As a network of businesses committed to promoting clean energy, the Ceres BICEP network applauds the decision by the seven governors and the Mayor of the District of Columbia to pursue common sense policies that would reduce transportation pollution,”said Anne Kelly, senior director of policy and the BICEP Network, Ceres. “A regional approach to cutting transportation emissions is an efficient and effective way to grow the economy and protect the planet. We, along with our business members, look forward to opportunities to participate in and influence the stakeholder process over the coming year.”

Claire Coleman, climate and energy attorney, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, said: “We commend these states – particularly our own State of Connecticut – for their climate leadership at a time when federal action is shamefully absent. The participation of state leaders at the U.N. climate talks in Bonn, Germany make clear that strong state action is critical for reducing emissions to meet state and international targets. A regional, market-based policy for transportation pollution would improve health while creating jobs and generating billions in revenue – dollars states could use to reinvest in clean transportation opportunities, particularly for underserved communities most impacted by pollution.”

Nancy Goodman, vice president for policy, Environmental League of Massachusetts, said: “We applaud the Baker administration for moving, along with other states in the region, to reduce carbon pollution from transportation.   A cap and invest approach can be a win/win—reducing emissions while raising much needed revenue for a clean, green, well-functioning transportation system.  It’s more important than ever for states to lead.” 

Chris Dempsey, director, Transportation for Massachusetts, said: “We applaud these states for moving forward together on a regional framework. A cap and invest program, building on the success of the RGGI program, has the potential to both make our transportation system greener, healthier, and more equitable while also making key transportation investments that are badly needed all across Massachusetts.” 

Jobs

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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