It was a beautiful day for picnics in Otis State Forest on Saturday, as the non-violent direct action group Sugar Shack Alliance hosted a large public rally at Lower Spectacle Pond in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. As the rally was happening, an entirely different kind of picnic, a well-coordinated act of civil disobedience was unfolding along the construction easement of the $93 million Kinder Morgan Connecticut Expansion pipeline project, culminating in 22 arrests. FROM SUGAR SHACK ALLIANCE <more>
Tribal Group States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Fails to Do Its Job
Anti-Fracked Gas Power Plant
Actions Planned
Last week I along with Pramilla Malick, a mother of four, and Madeline Shaw a grandmother of six, went to jail for community and climate justice. In describing her jail term Madeline Shaw said, she could not find a moment of comfort during the time she was there, and noted that this is what life will be like if the massive power plant becomes operational. There will be no clean air to breathe, no clean water to drink, and no stable environment for our children to enjoy. Our world will become a prison. This is why we are fighting so hard to stop this plant that will make New York City entirely dependent on fracked-gas for power. FROM THE ACTION NETWORK | BY ACTOR JAMES CROMWELL <more>
New HeatSmart Program for Municipalities
from MassCEC and DOER
HeatSmart Massachusetts (HeatSmart Mass) seeks to increase the adoption of small-scale clean heating and cooling technologies in participating communities through a competitive solicitation process that aggregates homeowner buying power to lower installation prices for participants. FROM MASSACHUSETTS PIPELINE AWARENESS NETWORK | BY KATHRYN EISEMAN, DIRECTOR <more>
Bay State Wind Receives First Offshore Wind Site Assessment Plan Approval in the United States
BOSTON – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued its first approval of an offshore wind Site Assessment Plan (SAP) to Bay State Wind, a utility-scale offshore wind project in Massachusetts located 15 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard in the Atlantic Ocean.
FROM BUSINESSWIRE <more>
Jobs (click here for full job listings)
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
In-Lieu Fee Program Assistant – Dept. of Fish and Game – Boston, MA
Development and Communications Director – Schumacher Center for New Economics – Egremont, MA
2017-18 Position Openings with TerraCorps – Various locations
Various Positions – The Manice Education Center (MEC) – Florida, MA
Volunteer Opportunities in the Berkshires w/The Trustees – Stockbridge & Cummington, MA
It was a beautiful day for picnics in Otis State Forest on Saturday, as the non-violent direct action group Sugar Shack Alliance hosted a large public rally at Lower Spectacle Pond in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. As the rally was happening, an entirely different kind of picnic, a well-coordinated act of civil disobedience was unfolding along the construction easement of the $93 million Kinder Morgan Connecticut Expansion pipeline project, culminating in 22 arrests.
Despite the temporary police closure of Cold Spring Road, about 80 people gathered at 10:00 a.m. at the glistening Lower Spectacle Pond to reaffirm the need for solidarity against fossil fuel infrastructure across the country. Speakers included Susan Baxter, an affected Sandisfield land-owner; Anthony Melting Tallow and Karyn Redwolf; Martha Klein from the CT Sierra Club; and Ian Jackson of the Green Party. Singer-activists Sarah Stockwell-Athen with The Hoping Machine and Ben Grossman rounded out the morning program.
To set the tone for the day, Anthony Melting Tallow embedded the MA-based resistance into the context of hundreds of years of extractive industries that devastated his community near the Tar Sands in Alberta, Canada. Grim as the history was, he urged the crowd not to lose hope or to give in to despair, saying “nothing is lost – it can’t be”.
“We are connected in that way, we are connected through the water,” he said, adding, “There are many front lines. It is all one front line. It is all one pipeline. It’s all one mindset, but we’re bigger than that, because life is bigger than that. Creation is bigger than that. Love is bigger than that.”
While he was speaking and in the same spirit of resilient resistance, twenty-two activists hiked through fields and woods to emerge at four different points along the path of pipeline construction. As they arrived on the easement, they spread out picnic blankets over a mile-long stretch of the easement and hung banners that read “This is our protected state forest” and “Picnics Not Pipelines”. These actions blocked construction access roads, surveying equipment, and the laying of pipe, for well over an hour before state police arrived on the scene and began making arrests.
“It is our job to delay and impede the pipeline for as long as we can,” said Kevin Young, one of the arrestees. Like the speakers at the rally, Young saw the day’s events as part of a much larger context, adding, “I think of this pipeline in terms of its global impacts as much as its local ones. There are people suffering more than we are [from the impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure]. The least we can do is to be in solidarity with them.”
At the conclusion of the rally, participants were invited to a concert and potluck lunch. Musical guests for the day included Bomba de Aquí, Tom Neilson, Ben Grosscup, The Expandable Brass Band, Dave Lippman, Amy Nicolina, and Sandy Pliskin – many of whom donated their time and talents to the cause.
Elizabeth Caretti-Ramírez, Sugar Shack Alliance member and lead organizer of Saturday’s rally, recapped the day, “We brought together people from across our region, celebrated our resistance, and educated each other. “I left with a feeling of enormous hope.”
Tribal Group States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Fails to Do Its Job
The forests of New England are dotted with living prayers of stone (Ceremonial Stone Landscapes) created by the Indigenous peoples of this region. The traditional belief is that these stone structures were placed to create and restore harmony between human beings and Mother Earth. The prayers they embody continue to live as long as the stones are kept intact.
Regrettably, some of these Ceremonial Stone Landscape Features are now being destroyed for gas pipeline projects. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is supposed to ensure these ceremonial stone landscapes are studied before it licenses projects, but doesn’t. Instead, FERC regularly violates the National Historic Preservation Act by delaying the review of these features until it is too late to avoid them. Strict enforcement of the National Historic Preservation Act is needed to ensure the protection of Indigenous historic and cultural resources.
Hold FERC Accountable – One-third of the 73 ceremonial stone features that were identified by Tribal processes in Sandisfield, have been dismantled by pipeline construction. NITHPO is asking for public support to bring its case to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. While harm has been done in Sandisfield, desecration of ceremonial stone landscapes in the future can be legally avoided. “This is an opportunity to support the Indigenous peoples of our region so they can challenge FERC’s behavior in the courts.” said Susan Theberge of the community coalition formed around NITHPO’s effort. “If successful, ceremonial stone landscapes will be preserved, not destroyed, a result that would have national implications.”
Challenging FERC in the courts will be a long and costly endeavor. To support this effort, a fundraising event will be held on Saturday, August 5, from 3-5pm at the First Churches, 129 Main Street, Northampton, MA. The event features a presentation on the significance of Ceremonial Stone Landscapes by Doug Harris, the Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for NITHPO. This event will be supplemented by cultural musical performances.
Anti-Fracked Gas Power Plant
Actions Planned
FROM THE ACTION NETWORK | BY ACTOR JAMES CROMWELL
Thank You for signing our petition to Stop the 650 MW CPV fracked-gas power plant. Last week I along with Pramilla Malick, a mother of four, and Madeline Shaw a grandmother of six, went to jail for community and climate justice. In describing her jail term Madeline Shaw said, she could not find a moment of comfort during the time she was there, and noted that this is what life will be like if the massive power plant becomes operational. There will be no clean air to breathe, no clean water to drink, and no stable environment for our children to enjoy. Our world will become a prison. This is why we are fighting so hard to stop this plant that will make New York City entirely dependent on fracked-gas for power.
On August 2nd there will be a public hearing at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, NY at 6PM. This is both the first and last DEC hearing on this project. WE MUST PACK THE THEATER. PLEASE RSVP HERE SO WE CAN MAKE SURE ALL WHO ARE COMING GET CRITICAL INFORMATION. Please wear red and or orange which represents our Redline Resistance in Orange County. Please arrive as early as possible.
Our final push is a rally in Albany on August 10th to take our message directly to Cuomo!! It will start at 11:30 -3. We have free buses going from Middletown NY and Manhattan with stop overs in New Paltz and White Plains but you must sign up to reserve your seat here!! Will you be a climate and community champion and join us for this important event. We are going to have an ALL STAR line up of speakers including Tim DeChristopher and Bill McKibben.
Finally here are a few things you can do to help us just sitting in your home.
1-Submit public comments directly to the DEC with just one click. We have 8 prepared comments here. You can add your additional comments or just send as is. The deadline is August 4th at 5pm. Please try to get them in by August 1st so that we can hand deliver these comments at the hearing on Wednesday
2- Call Cuomo everyday from now until the decision is made, which will be before the end of August. 518-474-8390. Tell Cuomo to Cut the cord on CPV and the Lateral Pipeline. Ask him what his legacy will be breath or death.
3-Share our petitions, actions, and facebook page. Subscribe to stay informed. And help us spread the word. We are under 5000 signatures on our petition and need to get to 10,000 by August 1st. We are exclusively a frontline grassroots group. We rely only on you the people to help us amplify our message.
It’s been six years since the families, farmers, and first responders of Minisink began this epic battle against Big Gas. We didn’t know back then that the Minisink Compressor Station was part of a bigger puzzle that would soon be ground zero for a new national energy policy based entirely on fracked gas. Now we know that this power plant is the head of the black snake which includes more pipelines, the Valley Lateral Pipeline, and more compressor stations, the Eastern System Upgrade. Scientists say will precipitate a climate change and public health emergency. And, this is just the beginning. Where it will end? Only industry knows.
Minisink began the fight against fracking infrastructure. If we want our children to have a healthy livable future, we must finish it here, now.
Finally listen to James Cromwell, Pramilla Malick, and Dr. Anthony Ingraffea on WNYC 93.9 FM on Monday July 31 at 12PM on the Leonard Lopate Show and listen to James, Pramilla, and Madeline talk about their experience in jail on Tuesday Aug 1 at 10 am on WTBQ 93.5 FM. Organizers please feel forward this email to your own lists. Thank you so much. I look forward to meeting all of you in Albany
New HeatSmart Program for Municipalities from MassCEC and DOER
BY KATHRYN EISEMAN, DIRECTOR
“HeatSmart Massachusetts (HeatSmart Mass) seeks to increase the adoption of small-scale clean heating and cooling technologies in participating communities through a competitive solicitation process that aggregates homeowner buying power to lower installation prices for participants.” From the CEC.
It’s modeled on the Solarize Mass program, available to individual municipalities or groups of municipalities working together. Deadline for this pilot program is September 1st. Seems like a good step for communities working towards 100% renewables.
Bay State Wind Receives First Offshore Wind Site Assessment Plan Approval in the United States
BOSTON-The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued its first approval of an offshore wind Site Assessment Plan (SAP) to Bay State Wind, a utility-scale offshore wind project in Massachusetts located 15 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bay State Wind is a joint venture between DONG Energy – the global leader in offshore wind with 22 commercial-scale offshore wind projects around the world – and Eversource – the premier transmission builder in New England. The combined experience of both entities ensures the most economically beneficial plan for offshore wind development in Massachusetts.
“We are thrilled to be the first in the country to receive this approval from BOEM, and to be a part of this huge step forward for the offshore wind industry in the U.S.,” said Thomas Brostrøm, North America president of DONG Energy. “Bay State Wind will produce reliable clean energy for Massachusetts with scale that maximizes job creation, cost effectiveness and economic benefits for Massachusetts and local communities. We look forward to continued collaboration with BOEM as we work to make Massachusetts and the U.S. a hub for offshore wind.”
“This is a significant milestone for the project and an important step forward in helping Massachusetts meet its climate change goals,” said Mike Ausere, vice president of Business Strategy at Eversource. “We’re proud to partner with the global leader in offshore wind energy and appreciate the support of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in getting this important industry off the ground in the United States.”
In August 2016, Massachusetts formally adopted a comprehensive energy bill that includes a first-of-its-kind mandate that state utilities purchase 1600 megawatts of offshore wind power. In June, Massachusetts utilities took their first step toward fulfilling the mandate with a request for proposals to build the state’s first project.
Bay State Wind will submit a proposal for the Massachusetts contracts, which will be awarded in 2018. DONG Energy will use its expertise in the offshore wind sector to continue to lead the development and construction of the project’s offshore generation and transmission assets, while Eversource will leverage its strong transmission expertise in New England to develop and construct the onshore transmission asset. The project could generate enough electricity to power one million Massachusetts homes and create hundreds of jobs throughout the life of the wind farm.
The BOEM approval paved the way for Bay State Wind’s next crucial step – deployment of the FLiDAR WindSentinel system off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard to measure wave and wind speeds in the project’s lease area. The system is currently deployed for two years, and includes a camera to broadcast images from the system as it collects data – viewable online 24 hours per day at: https://portal.axys-aps.com/platforms/P2012P/.
About DONG Energy
DONG Energy (NASDAQ OMX: DENERG) is one of Northern Europe’s leading energy groups and is headquartered in Denmark. Around 6,200 ambitious employees develop, construct and operate offshore wind farms, generate heat and power from our power stations as well as supply and trade in energy to wholesale, business and residential customers. In addition, we produce oil and gas, and a process has been initiated to divest this business unit. The continuing part of the Group has approx 5,800 employees and generated revenue in 2016 of DKK 61 billion (EUR 8.2 billion). Read more on www.dongenergy.com. For further information, see www.dongenergy.com and follow us on twitter (@DONGEnergyUS) and (@BayStateWind.)
About Eversource
Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCorp) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceEnergy).
Contacts
DONG Energy Wind Power U.S. Inc. Lauren Burm, 617-309-8730 laubu@dongenergy.com
or
Eversource Caroline Pretyman, 617-424-2460 Caroline.Pretyman@eversource.com
Jobs
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.
Development and Communications Director – Schumacher Center for New Economics – Egremont, MA
The Schumacher Center is looking for an exceptional individual to join our team and work with other program staff and the executive director to represent the organization and further its goals. A successful candidate will be a detail-oriented team player with proven writing, speaking, and event coordination skills, and a demonstrated interest in shaping a more just and sustainable economic system. The ideal candidate will have the ability to learn quickly and anticipate the needs of a fast-moving team, while also possessing creativity and a positive attitude. Full details and how to apply here.
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.
Various Positions – The Manice Education Center (MEC)
Florida, MA
The Manice Education Center (MEC) is intentionally located in a unique outdoor setting within the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. MEC operates several distinctly different seasonal programs that are experientially focused in high-quality environmental education, wilderness camping, and leadership training.
Summer Outdoor educators will lead wilderness expeditions for campers & can expect to guide an average of 6 backpacking and/or canoeing trips, ranging from 2 to 5 days in length. Expedition locations inlude the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, Savoy Mountain State Forest, Taconic Trail, Battenkill River, Deerfield River, & Connecticut River. Educators receive training in backpacking and wilderness navigation, participate in a 2 day professional canoe clinic, & can earn free certifications in Wildernes First Aid and/or Waterfront Lifeguarding.
APPLY TODAY – SEND US A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO EMPLOYMENT@CHRISTODORA.ORG
For more details please visit our Jobs page (click here).
Please share this opportunity with your friends and colleagues! If you have any questions about employment in Christodora programs, please contact Matthew Scholl, Programs Director at 413.663.8463 or email us at employment@christodora.org
In-Lieu Fee Program Administrator
MassCareers Job Number 170003IV
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is accepting applications for their new In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program Administrator position. The ILF Program Administrator will be responsible for developing a comprehensive framework for ILF Program planning and implementation including: identification, prioritization, selection, review, and approval of proposed mitigation projects; monitoring and tracking implementation, performance, and completion of approved mitigation projects; and managing all financial, accounting, budgeting, and reporting activities and requirements related to DFG’s administration of the ILF Program consistent with Department policies and the ILF Program Instrument. The ILF Program Administrator is a position within the Office of the Commissioner but will also work collaboratively and in partnership with staff from the Division of Ecological Restoration, Division of Marine Fisheries, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the agency’s Land Protection Program.
For additional information and details about the ILF Program Administrator position, and to apply, please visit the MassCareers Job Opportunities website and search for Job Number 170003IV or click here. The job is open until filled. However, applicants within the first two weeks typically receive preference. For additional information about DFG’s In-Lieu Fee Program click here.
Questions? Please contact Christy Edwards at christy.edwards@state.ma.us or 617-626-1518.
Volunteer Opportunities with The Trustees
“Time travel” with The Trustees, and take our visitors on the voyage with you! Become a National Historic Landmark Greeter at Mission House (Stockbridge) or Tour Guide at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead (Cummington) and share the stories and magic of these special places. No experience necessary. Training provided. Fridays through Sundays. Flexible. Fun. Social. Rewarding.
Visit www.thetrustees.org/volunteer or contact tbeasley@thetrustees.org or413.532.1631 ext. 3119 for more information.