The BEAT News August 21, 2013

News Headlines

How to Get Money for Fixing A “Federal-Aid Eligible” Road Webinar

BEAT Note – This webinar will be great for anyone trying to figure out how to get federal funding for a town road that is either a numbered route or a major connector (as defined by the state). So if you are really interested in this kind of transportation issue – as BEAT is – this webinar is for you! If you have any questions about whether your road qualifies, give Jane at BEAT a call 413-230-7321 – or call the transportation staff at your Regional Planning Agency.

Locally Administered Federal-Aid Projects: WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

 

Join the Federal Highway Administration, the Baystate Roads Program and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for a presentation on Locally Administered Federal-Aid Projects via a live webinar on September 24, 2013.

MassDOT’s Highway Administrator, Frank DePaola plans to attend.

 

Come join us for lunch and discussion prior to the webinar beginning at Noon followed by the live webinar from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the:

 

CMRPC Training Room
Union Station

2 Washington Square

Worcester, MA 01604

For more information, or to register, go to

http://baystateroads.eot.state.ma.us/workshops/ .

 

Baystate Roads Program

214 Marston Hall

University of Massachusetts

130 Natural Resources Road

Amherst, MA 01003-9293

Phone: 413-577-2762

Fax: 413-545-6471

info@baystateroads.org

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Kent Land Trust to Buy 253-Acre Camp

In September, the Kent Land Trust  plans to complete its purchase of the 253-acre Camp Francis, a former Girl Scout camp property in Kent Hollow, Connecticut.The property is being sold by the Girls Scouts of Connecticut for $1.5 million.

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Fossil Fuel Divestment Resolution – Northampton

The Northampton fossil fuel divestment resolution was approved on first reading by the Northampton City Council on Aug 15, 2013 (7 in favor, 2 abstentions). It is scheduled for a required second reading and final vote on Sept 5, 2013. Congratulations and thanks to Adele Franks and Lilly Lombard for their stellar leadership on this campaign. See the resolution below.

Fossil Fuel Divestment Resolution

Northampton, MA

WHEREAS, Global warming, caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels, is a serious  threat to current and future generations in Northampton and around the world; and

WHEREAS, Global warming is already causing costly disruption of human and natural systems both in Northampton and throughout the world including the increase in extreme weather leading to power failures, flooding, drought, food and water shortages, property damage and death; the acidification of oceans; and the rapid melting of Arctic ice and rise in sea levels causing devastation of coastal areas; and

WHEREAS, The effects of global warming will further intensify with increased temperatures such that almost every government in the world (including the United States) has agreed through the 2009 Copenhagen Accord that any warming above a 2°C (3.6°F) rise would be unsafe for human habitation; and

WHEREAS, Scientists estimate that humans can emit only approximately 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and still retain a reasonable hope of not exceeding 2°C of global warming; and

WHEREAS, Proven coal, oil, and gas reserves of the fossil fuel companies, and the countries that act like fossil fuel companies, equals about 2,795 gigatons of CO2, or five times the maximum amount we can release to prevent more than 2°C of warming; and

WHEREAS, For the purposes of this ordinance, a “fossil fuel company” shall be defined as any of the two hundred publicly-traded companies with the largest coal, oil, and gas reserves as measured by the gigatons of carbon dioxide that would be emitted if those reserves were extracted and burned, such as those companies listed in the Carbon Tracker Initiative’s “Unburnable Carbon” report; and

WHEREAS, Fossil fuel companies operate for maximum short-term profit at the expense of long-term sustainability, spend vast sums of money to influence government in order to avoid paying the true cost of the environmental damage they cause, and continue to explore for even more fossil fuel deposits that could not be burned without drastic acceleration of runaway climate change; and

WHEREAS, The City of Northampton has a moral duty to protect the lives and livelihoods of its inhabitants from the threat of global warming and believes that its investments should support a future where citizens can live healthy lives without the catastrophic impacts of a warming environment; and

WHEREAS, There is a national movement underway to divest from fossil fuel companies as both a moral action and a means of weakening the political influence of the fossil fuel industry, with (so far) 12 U.S. municipalities including Seattle and San Francisco resolving to divest their portfolios of fossil fuel companies and hundreds of religious and higher learning institutions actively considering such divestment; and

WHEREAS, Leadership is critical to build national momentum for the movement to divest from fossil fuel companies; and

WHEREAS, Northampton is a proven leader in sustainability having articulated and demonstrated this leadership in various ways, such as the Sustainable Northampton master plan, membership in Cities for Climate Protection and designation as a Massachusetts Green Community; the Solarize Northampton program, expansion of bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, construction of LEED certified municipal buildings, etc.

WHEREAS, the President of the United States has called upon citizens to make climate change an urgent priority for action in their communities including investment in clean, renewable energy, and divestment from dirty fossil fuels.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council of the City of Northampton urges the City’s Retirement Board and the City Treasurer of Northampton to review their investment portfolios in order to identify any holdings that include direct or indirect investments in fossil fuel companies; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council urges the Retirement Board and the City Treasurer to immediately cease, and adopt policies precluding, any new direct investments in fossil fuel companies, or indirect investments that include holdings in fossil fuel companies; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Northampton urges the Retirement Board and the City Treasurer to divest any of its directly or indirectly held assets that include holdings in fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds within 5 years; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That, for any Northampton investments in mutual funds or ETFs that include fossil fuel companies, the City Council urges the Retirement Board and the City Treasurer to contact their respective investment advisors to request that they notify fund managers of the city’s desire to remove fossil fuel companies from all investment products; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council urges the Retirement Board and the City Treasurer to release yearly updates, available to the public, detailing progress made towards full divestment; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council endorses proposed state legislation requiring divestment of statewide retirement funds {Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT)} from fossil fuel companies, and precluding such investments in the future; and the President of the City Council will send this resolution and letters of support for divestment legislation to elected officials including Senator Rosenberg, Representative Kocot, Governor Patrick, and Steven Grossman, Treasurer of the Commonwealth.

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6 Day March for Action on Climate Change in MA

from 350MA.org

Are you ready to make history in our fight against fossil fuels?

In just under 3 weeks, we’ll march from our region’s largest coal and gas plant to the site of the nation’s first off-shore wind farm. Will you be there with us?

Click here to sign up for Energy Exodus.

On Wednesday, August 28th, we’ll converge in Fall River, MA near the Brayton Point Power Station. There we’ll begin our six-day march to Barnstable, home to the last remaining opposition to the proposed Cape Wind project. The march will highlight the urgency with which we must turn away from fossil fuels and lead the way to a future of green jobs, clean air, and local, renewable energy.

We’ll kick off Energy Exodus with a rally urging Governor Patrick to shut down Brayton Point and ensure a just transition for the plant’s workers and local community. We’ll end on Labor Day calling out fossil fuel magnate Bill Koch — yes, that Bill Koch — who has funneled millions of dollars into blocking a domestic offshore wind industry for the past decade.

Are you in? Sign up here to show that the people want Cape Wind now!

Along the way we will sing, learn, plan, and make new friends. By the end of our journey, we’ll have strengthened our movement, solidified our resolve, and (literally!) shown the way to the clean energy future we want and need.

We look forward to marching with you. If you’re unable to join us, however, you can still donate to help make this event a reality. Thank you!

Onward,

Ben Thompson & 350 Massachusetts

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Cuomo Recognizes Need to Invest in Safe, Clean Water!

from the Safe Water Advocacy Alliance

 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recognizes the need to invest in safe, clean water!

“A clean water supply is necessary to support healthy communities and business environments,” Cuomo said. “With more than $66 million being provided to localities for the development and improvement of drinking water and waste water systems across the state, we are making a significant investment in these key resources.”

Read the full article for more information on New York’s commitment to water resources.

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Support for Environmental Initiatives in New England

New England Grassroots Environment Fund

The mission of the New England Grassroots Environment Fund is to energize and nurture long term civic engagement in local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities. The Fund offers two grant programs designed to foster grassroots environmental initiatives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Seed Grants of $250 to $1,000 help volunteer groups launch and build their newly evolving projects. Requests for this program may be submitted throughout the year. Grow Grants of $1,000 to $3,500 enhance the ability of established groups to increase capacity, collaborate, and leverage impact. The upcoming application deadline for this program is September 15, 2013. Visit the Fund’s website for more information about these grant programs.

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Two Wild & Scenic Saturdays remaining!!

Sat. September 7th – Macroinvertebrate Madness: Learn to Love our Water Bugs with Mike Cole 9am. – 1pm. Meet at the Chester Railroad Station in Chester MA. for this wonderful free workshop

Sat. Oct. 5th – Tidying the East Branch Trail 9 – 1pm. Meet at the Chesterfield Gorge parking lot, Chesterfield MA.

Help clean out the drainage and clip the overhanging branches. Bring your shovels, gloves and sense of humor!! Sponsored by the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee Call Meredyth Babcock to sign up 413 623-2070

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Summer Sale at Project Native

SUMMER SALE 20% OFF all Trees, Shrubs & Vines in stock! Now through Sunday, September 8th.  Shop early for best selection. Project Native, 342 North Plain Road, Housatonic, MA 01236, www.projectnative.org

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Pic It Up! savewater!® International 2013 Photographic Competition Now Underway

Now in its fifth year, savewater!®’s photography competition calls both aspiring and professional photographers to get snapping and capture the value of water in an image. Winners will not only inspire generations with their images, but will also be rewarded with some great prizes up for grabs. Photographs are reviewed by a panel of judges, and finalists will go into a public vote for a second chance to win. So grab your camera and get creative! Entries accepted July 29 thru September 30.

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EPA Releases Rules for 2013 Campus RainWorks Challenge, Registration Begins September 9th

EPA has released the contest rules for its second annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a prize contest launched in 2012 to encourage innovative approaches to stormwater management. The Challenge engages the next generation of urban planners, designers, and engineers in the development of innovative green infrastructure systems to meet our nation’s growing water infrastructure needs.  Student teams, working with a faculty advisor, will submit design briefs and a video describing a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. This year, EPA is pleased to invite teams to compete in two categories: a Master Plan category and a Site Design category. Registration for the Challenge opens September 9, and entries must be submitted by December 13, 2013, for consideration. Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,000 – $2,000.  More information: www.epa.gov/campusrainworks.

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Center for EcoTechnology Jobs

The Center for EcoTechnology is actively recruiting ­– internally and externally – for a number of positions:

(Click on links next to job titles below for job description/contact info.)

 

 

Feel free to forward this email/information to family, friends, associates…or anyone you feel is qualified for these opportunities.

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