The BEAT News February 6, 2013

News Headlines

Zero Waste – Enforce the Ban

from the MA Sierra Club The MassDEP is planning to lift a 22 year moratorium on new incineration facilities as its solution for dealing with our trash. While it’s true that landfill capacity is dwindling, we need to find a way to better manage the tons of garbage headed to the dump. However, burning garbage is a step in the wrong direction. The MassDEP has an available solution, one that could be put in place immediately – enforcement of existing waste ban regulations, established in the 1990s. 90% of what’s in the trash could be reused, recycled or composted. Putting this material into landfills or incinerators wastes scarce landfill space and strains incinerator capacity. It adds to greenhouse gas emissions, contributes to global warming, and fouls our air, soil and water with toxic pollutants like dioxin and mercury. Burning recyclable and reusable material is a terrible waste of resources and energy. Recycling saves 3-5 times more energy than incineration because of energy saved by using recycled material for manufacturing instead of using virgin resources. Tell the MassDEP not to go backwards. Instead of building new incinerators, we need to reduce solid waste by enforcing waste bans so valuable resources don’t go up in smoke.  Click here for more.   BACK THE BAN: Tell MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell to maintain the ban on increased incineration, including variations on traditional incineration such as gasification. Send your comments by Feb. 15, 2013, 5pm to: John Fischer dep.swm@state.ma.us or by mail to: John Fischer, MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108. Please copy the Sierra Club on your communication to office@sierraclubmass.org Return to list of headlines

Join us for Forward on Climate – the Largest Climate Rally in US History

Crippling drought. Devastating wildfires. Superstorm Sandy. Climate has come home — and the American people get it.   What: The largest climate rally in U.S. history. Bruce and Jane will be there for BEAT – you can try to connect by calling us 413-230-7321. When: February 17, 2013, Noon – 4:00 p.m. (please arrive by 11:30 a.m.) Where: The National Mall in Washington, D.C. Gather at the northeast corner of the Washington Monument (Closest Metro subway stations: Federal Triangle and Smithsonian)   On Sunday, February 17, thousands of Americans will head to Washington, D.C. to make Forward on Climate the largest climate rally in history. Join this historic event to make your voice heard and help the president start his second term with strong climate action. Lots and lots of organizations large and small are joining in this action. For more details about the rally — including information about coordinating and riding buses to Washington — please read the FAQ. Click here to get more information and RSVP to 350.org. Return to list of headlines

Second Repair Cafe to be held February 16 in Pittsfield

The Berkshires’ first ever Repair Cafe, held January 19th in Pittsfield, was a huge success, so the Pittsfield Resilience Circle aims to repeat the event on a monthly basis. If you have a broken lamp, a computer with problems, or a sweater that needs mending, bring it to the Repair Cafe in Pittsfield and get it fixed for free! The next Repair Cafe will be held on Saturday, February 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the St. Stephen’s Church basement at 67 East Street.   At the last Repair Cafe, the 18 volunteer repair persons fixed six lamps, one vacuum cleaner, two radios, and numerous articles of clothing, replaced a zipper on a sofa cushion, attached chair legs to two chairs, sharpened nine knives, and did many other repairs.   Anyone with any type of small repairable broken item (other than CRT monitors, TVs, watches, and shoes) may bring it to the next Repair Cafe between 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 16. Volunteers will fix as many articles as possible. If your broken item needs a part, and you know what it needs, it will save you time if you bring the part with you. You can watch your item being repaired and learn a little about how repairs are done.   One of the innovations for the February Repair Cafe is mini-workshops. This month, there’ll be two mini-workshops. If you’d like to know the proper way to sew on a button, come to the Cafe at 2:00 and bring an item missing a button, as well as a matching button and thread, if you can. (Some buttons and thread colors will be on hand, but repair persons can’t guarantee a match.) And if your vacuum cleaner needs the belt replaced and you’d like to be able to replace it yourself next time, bring the vacuum and the replacement belt at 4:00 to learn how.   So you won’t get thirsty, hungry, or bored while you wait, Repair Cafe volunteers are offering free refreshments. You can visit with your neighbors while you eat and drink, or you can browse the information on the literature table.   What would the Repair Cafe organizers like from you? Choices:

  • Volunteer as a repair person or general helper or piano player
  • Help spread the word by sending this email to others
  • Make a donation
  • Attend the Repair Cafe with a broken item

To make a donation or to volunteer, call Tom Harter at 413-212-8589 or email Janet Henderson at jmh227@hotmail.com.   The Repair Cafe is a project of the Pittsfield Resilience Circle, which began in August, 2012 based on information available at localcircles.org. By holding the Repair Cafe, the Pittsfield Resilience Circle wants to help reduce waste, promote repair skills, teach us all to be more self-sufficient, have fun, come together in a non-consumerist way, forge bonds of friendship through mutual dependency, and make Pittsfield a better place to live.”   The Repair Cafe concept originated in the Netherlands. The Repair Cafe Foundation now provides support to local groups around the world wishing to start their own Repair Cafe (repaircafe.org). Return to list of headlines

Updated Bottle Bill Builds Steam: Two Big Developments Give Advocates Momentum

In a sign that the Updated Bottle Bill has more support on Beacon Hill than ever before, the final tally of cosponsors in the Legislature included the highest number the bill has ever garnered.  When the official cosponsor period ended on Friday at midnight, the bill had a majority of state senators, a majority of freshmen, and a total of 95 cosponsors: 75 in the House and 20 in the Senate.  “The fact that we have 10% more cosponsors in the House (there were 66 in 2011), and a majority of freshman (10 of 16), signals that this bill has more momentum than ever before,” commented Representative Jon Hecht, the chief sponsor in the House. “The fact that we have a majority of Senators cosponsoring this bill just underscores the message from the Senate—a body which passed the Updated Bottle Bill in May, 2012—that this bill would be the right solution for the Commonwealth,” added Senator Cynthia Creem, the Senate’s chief sponsor.   In the 2011-2012 legislative session, the Updated Bottle Bill passed through the Senate in May but never made it to the House floor before the end of the session on July 31. Meanwhile, advocates estimate another 1 billion containers ended up as litter, landfill, or incinerator ash over the course of 2012. “Every day this bill languishes is another day of littered parks, overstressed town dumps, and maybe most importantly, the public’s well-being ignored,” said Janet Domenitz, Executive Director of MASSPIRG. “We know how popular this bill is with the public; we need the Legislature to finally respond.”   Giving the measure even more momentum, on Friday, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan proposed an increase in the bottle bill handling fee.  This handling fee (which has nothing to do with the 5-cent deposit) is what the bottling industry pays redemption centers, grocery stores, and other businesses for collecting and transporting bottles and cans for recycling.   For years, bottle redemption centers, small, family-owned businesses that are a key part of making the bottle bill work, have been asking for an increase in this fee, which has stood at 2.25 cents for over 20 years. As a result of inaction, many bottle redemption centers have gone out of business.   “Whatever the bottlers say about this proposal to raise their handling fee, the facts are important:  consumers in the New England states that don’t have deposit laws (NH and RI) pay the same or higher prices for beverages that Massachusetts and other deposit law states (VT, ME, CT) pay.  When the handling fee for bottlers goes from 2.25 cents to 3.25 cents as we hope it does soon,  consumers’ prices should  not change, “ commented Ken Pruitt of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “ The handling fee is part of what makes this successful law work, and raising the handling fee one penny is a small price for bottlers to pay for the cost of recycling the 3.3 billion bottles that the industry produces and profits from,” Pruitt added. Mass Audubon Director of Advocacy Jack Clarke echoed Pruitt’s remarks: “We hope that EEA’s proposal, a welcome and necessary one, and the tremendous support from this year’s Legislature will give even more momentum to our coalition’s effort to pass an update to the Bottle Bill in the legislature.  Containers without the 5-cent deposit, like water, sports drinks, vitamin beverages and iced teas, are becoming more popular, and creating more litter on our ball fields, in our parks, at our beaches.  Updating the bottle bill, which would get that 5-cent deposit on these everyday beverages, would reduce litter, increase recycling, and save cities and towns money in litter pick up and disposal costs,” Clarke added.   FURTHER READING: A list of the 2013-2014 cosponsors A statement from the Updated Bottle Bill coalition on the proposed handling fee Return to list of headlines

MA Announces New, Nation-Leading Energy Efficiency Plans

Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan today announced that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) yesterday gave final approval to three-year plans that will commit the state’s investor-owned utilities and the Cape Light Compact to deliver more aggressive savings to customers, boost the economy and protect the environment. The plans will lead to net benefits of more than $6 billion over the lifetime of the measures implemented. “These new three-year plans will continue our work toward a clean energy future,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Reducing energy costs for Massachusetts residents, our reliance on foreign sources of energy and our impact on the environment will serve the Commonwealth well for generations to come.” The approval of the three-year plans expands the Commonwealth’s nation‑leading goals for electricity and natural gas savings from energy efficiency investments and marks another important step in helping the Commonwealth address vital energy issues. The plans call for $2.7 billion in investments that will result in nearly $9 billion in benefits over the life of the installed measures, with a benefit-to-cost ratio greater than three-to-one; for every dollar invested in energy efficiency, ratepayers will receive over three dollars in return over the lifetime of measures installed. “Reducing our energy consumption will yield significant environmental benefits and help control high energy costs that burden families and businesses in Massachusetts,” Attorney General Martha Coakley said. “These energy efficiency programs are an important step in helping people reduce their energy consumption which can lead to lower bills and lower emissions from power plants.” “We are proud to lead the nation in energy efficiency and these plans will ensure that we maintain our spot and continue our clean energy revolution,” said Secretary Sullivan. “We are expanding the work we’ve done over the last three years to cut energy use, save money and reduce emissions across the Commonwealth.” Following an exhaustive process led by EEA’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council unanimously approved the electric and natural gas utilities’ second three-year efficiency plans last fall, and the utilities filed them with the DPU on Nov. 2, 2012.

The proposed energy savings represent a 23 percent increase compared to the energy savings achieved in the previous three-year plans (2010-2012), in which Massachusetts was ranked #1 in the nation for energy efficiency by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) in 2011 and 2012. “We’re looking forward to the extensive reach of the Mass Save® programs as the Program Administrators collaborate with our cities and towns, businesses, and residents to reduce costs and improve comfort” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “This statewide effort to increase participation and realize greater energy savings is a demonstration to our commitment and ability to achieve our energy, economic, and environmental goals.” Greenhouse gas reductions attributable to the plans are estimated at 25.6 million ton over the lifetime of the measures. The reduction is comparable to the environmental benefits achieved by eliminating the energy use of approximately 100,000 homes, or of taking approximately 400,000 cars off the road over the same time period as the energy efficiency measures. On average, homeowners who take advantage of rebates for efficient lighting, insulation and other programs may see their monthly electric bill decrease by as much as $24, and the monthly gas bill may decrease by $39. The cost of the plans over three years will be funded primarily by distribution charges on electricity bills and the proceeds of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative allowance auctions. “These three-year plans significantly advance the Commonwealth’s clean energy agenda,” said DPU Chair Ann Berwick, “Kudos to the distribution companies’ Program Administrators, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, the Attorney General and the impressive leadership of the Department of Energy Resources.  Policy implementation requires vision, attention to detail, and hard work, and in these plans we see all three in abundance.” The plans were developed through a comprehensive and collaborative effort with the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.  The Council, chaired by the Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, represents the full spectrum of stakeholder perspectives and coordinates with the energy efficiency Program Administrators from the distribution companies to design and monitor the energy efficiency programs. The Green Communities Act, signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in 2008, required the state’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities (and the Cape Light Compact, which operates efficiency programs on Cape Cod) to prepare energy efficiency plans that secure for their customers all available energy efficiency and demand reduction resources that cost less than new energy supply. “Massachusetts continues to lead the way in combating climate change through energy efficiency and conservation,” said Sen. Benjamin B. Downing. “These three year plans will help create jobs, reduce energy bills and protect our environment. I look forward to working with residents, communities and businesses statewide to make sure these plans live up to their great promise.” “As a result of the hard work of the Secretary, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and our program administrators, as well as the many other contributors, businesses, and stakeholders involved, the Commonwealth’s energy efficiency programs are the most effective in the nation,” said Rep. John Keenan.“The release of these efficiency plans demonstrates our continued commitment to lower energy costs for consumers and the promotion of green jobs.” “With approval of this plan, Massachusetts stays at the head of the pack relative to other states — the energy savings goals in this plan are the most aggressive in the country” said Steven Nadel, Executive Director of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). “These energy savings will help create jobs and improve the state’s environment while providing a clear example to other states on what they can and should do.” “The actions taken today by the Massachusetts DPU prove that energy efficiency is the ‘gift that keeps on giving’ to the economy of the Commonwealth”, said President of the Alliance to Save Energy Kateri Callahan. “Notwithstanding huge investments in energy efficiency already made by the state, the new three-year round of funding approved by DPU keeps Massachusetts in the lead among the states and will deliver $9 billion in benefits to businesses and consumers across the state.” “These plans represent a tremendous commitment by the utilities to reduce the use of energy statewide. With some new and innovative programs contained in the plans, all commercial and industrial ratepayers should find additional ways to save energy and money,” said Robert Rio, Senior Vice President, AIM, and member of the EEAC. “With this decision, Massachusetts has renewed its commitment to investing in energy efficiency, the cleanest, lowest cost energy resource available.  Efficiency will deliver important economic and environmental dividends,” said Jeremy McDiarmid, ENE Massachusetts Director and member of the EEAC.  “Throughout Governor Patrick’s tenure, the Commonwealth has shown strong and consistent national leadership on policies that bring clean, affordable energy to citizens and businesses, and today’s decision is another critical step that shows the goals of securing economic growth and reducing pollution work together.” Return to list of headlines

Governor’s FY ’14 Budget Released

–From ELM Bulletin Governor Patrick released his budget for FY 2014 and last week announced his plan to raise new revenues that would support two long under-funded priorities: transportation and education. The good news is a portion of these new revenues would also go to support our environmental agencies! It shows the administration understands both the value of our environmental programs and that for too long, they have not been getting what they need. We’re not yet at our goal of 1% of the overall state budget, but this is a big step in the right direction. The caveat is this is predicated on the legislature supporting significant new revenues ($1.9 billion), per the Governor’s plan to increase the income tax and decrease the sales tax. There will be a lot of debate in the legislature about the Governor’s plan, both in terms of the revenue streams and the issues he has prioritized. It is safe to say whatever comes out of the legislature will look different than what the Governor proposed. While we’re very pleased with the emphasis on the environment in his budget, we will have a better sense of how the environmental agencies will fare when the House budget comes out in April. The Governor proposes:

  • An overall increase for EOEEA of $17 million over FY 2013. We saw an $18.5 million increase last year (that increase was reduced by $3.4 million due to mid-year cuts because revenues were not meeting projections – called 9C cuts).   If the starting point is EOEEA’s budget post-9C cuts, the Governor’s proposal increases their budget by more than $20 million or about 10%.
  • EOEEA Secretary’s Office – increase of $362K.
  • DEP – increase of $9.6 million (also relies on revenue from an expanded bottle bill): would allow DEP to keep staffing at current levels, expand recycling and solid waste programs and maintain investments in compliance and permitting program.
  • DCR – increase of $8.6 million: would allow DCR to reopen certain facilities, expand seasons at campgrounds and expand youth programs particularly in urban areas.
  • DFG – increase of about $1 million, including an increase of $100K for the Division of Ecological Restoration.
  • DAR- increase of about $500K: includes $200K for the “buy local” program.

If you agree we need this level of funding, please let your legislators know you support new revenues and want a portion allocated to fund environmental programs. We are currently doing a line-by-line analysis of the budget. If there are particular programs you want to know about, please contact ELM VP for Policy Nancy Goodman. ELM will be releasing its Green Budget FY 2014 recommendations in mid-February. Return to list of headlines

U.S. Proposes to Protect Wolverines

By FELICITY BARRINGER   The federal Fish and Wildlife Service proposed Friday to give Endangered Species Act protections to the wolverine, one of the largest and hardiest members of the weasel family, largely because climate change is whittling away its wintry habitat in the northern Rockies.   Steve Kroschel)/USFWS, via Associated Press Climate change is whittling away the wolverine’s habitat.   The action was prompted by a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, based in Arizona, and Defenders of Wildlife, whose efforts to get federal protections for the species were rebuffed during the administration of President George W. Bush. About 300 of the elusive animals live and forage in the high mountains of the Northwest. The fierce predators, whose wide feet and sharp claws keep them agile during mountain winters, weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown but will fight a bear that strays into their territory. They raise newborn kits in burrows deep beneath snows that do not melt until mid-May. But for scientists and naturalists who monitor the species, wolverines are a source of fascination with intricate biological mechanisms, including a thyroid that supercharges their metabolism and an extra coat for insulation. Their jaws are strong enough to crack the frozen bones of their prey. The new proposal, as written, would not restrict logging or winter recreation — like snowmobiling — in the wolverine’s habitat, but it would end the intentional trapping of the animals. <MORE> Return to list of headlines

Essay Contest – Northeast’s Mountains

Guy and Laura Waterman spent a lifetime reflecting and writing on the Northeast’s mountains. The Waterman Fund seeks to further their legacy through essays that celebrate this wilderness spirit. This year’s contest theme is: Technology in the woods! Do you venture into the woods with a smart phone or iPad or personal music player? Do you Twitter about bear encounters or call home in the evening? What do you think about “that guy” sitting in the corner of the shelter texting about the number of miles he hiked today? Or are you that guy? How does technology affect personal safety and responsibility? Is keeping the woods separate from our ever-connected world an artificial construct or a necessity? The Waterman Fund is seeking personal essays about the technological changes you’ve seen arriving in the backcountry and how these changes have affected your experience and the wild itself. The winning piece will be published in Appalachia Journal. The winning essayist will be awarded $1500. Honorable mention will receive $500. Full details: http://watermanfund.org/EnterEssayContest.shtml Return to list of headlines

Eco-Comedy Video Competition Spring 2013 $1000 prize!

Sponsored by the Sierra Club and American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking   Guidelines The contest is open to anyone who prepares a short, funny video for YouTube, which communicates a clear message about climate change. Submissions must:

  • Be humorous!
  • Address the issue of climate change. We are interpreting the topic very broadly, so it includes topics like disasters, fossil fuels, clean energy, wildlife (like polar bears), politics, deniers, and so on.
  • Reach a broad audience beyond just environmentalists.
  • Be an original production.
  • Be less than three minutes (including title and credits).
  • Posted to Eco-Comedy Video Competition 2013 YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/ecocomedy2013
  • Submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time on Friday, March 1, 2013.

There will be six judges representing the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Sierra Club, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Mill Reef Productions, and EcoSense. The decision of the judges is final. Awards are based on overall merit of the entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award. The organizations listed above reserve the right to post submissions on their websites. Submissions are due by Friday, March 1, 2013. Return to list of headlines

Seedling Fundraiser Benefits Local Conservation District

Pittsfield, MA, February 1, 2013—the annual spring seedling fundraiser is being held now through March 31st to benefit Berkshire Conservation District, a local non-profit agency promoting conservation and environmental education in Berkshire County in association with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. Seedlings are pre-ordered by mail or online (www.berkshireconservation.org) and are picked up at the sale day event on Saturday, May 4th from 9am to 12pm at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington or the Springside House at Springside Park in Pittfsfield. Additional products and services will be available at the event including soil testing by the Western MA Master Gardeners Association, conservation seed mixes grown by Project Native, bird and bat houses by Scott Harrington, information on locally made compost, perennials and annuals, a bake sale, and raffle. Instructions for taking soil samples can be found on the website. All non-profit customers and members receive 10% off their order by mail. To request a brochure or become a member call the office at (413) 443-1776 ext. 102. Berkshire Conservation District holds open public meetings every third Tuesday of the month at 4pm at the Conte Federal Building in the conference room in Suite 206. Volunteers and new associate and junior supervisors are needed. Please join us for a meeting or call the office for further information. Return to list of headlines

2013 Local Environmental Action Conference

Registration is now open for the 2013 Local Environmental Action Conference, Sunday, March 10th at Northeastern University in Boston! This year we are excited to announce that we are partnering with Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) to bring you this event. To learn more about MCAN, check out their website. Register now for the opportunity to join community leaders, environmental advocates and activists from across New England for an exciting day of skills training, networking, and inspiration. Whether you have been to every conference or are attending for the first time, be sure not to miss this amazing opportunity to connect and grow our grassroots movement. Call (617) 747-4408 for more information. Earlybird Registration ends February 15th! All tickets increase by $10 after February 15th. Register today! For more information. Looking forward to seeing you there!   Sylvia Broude Toxics Action Center Executive Director Return to list of headlines

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