The BEAT News January 16, 2013 - Berkshire Environmental Action Team

News Headlines

Fracking Industry Cited By Prominent Medical Journal For Infringing Upon Patient–Physician Relationship
Things YOU can do to Put the Brakes on Climate Change
Discussion on Locally Produced Meat to be held in Pittsfield
Project Native Announces Selections for 3rd Film Festival
Bats: Creatures of the Night at the Berkshire Museum
MassDOT Releases 21st Century Transportation Plan
List of GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River Project Documents submitted to Repositories from December 16, 2012 through January 5, 2013
New Economics Institute Announces Campus Network Partners for 2013
The Future of the CT River is in Your Hands
Take Action to Support Strong Limits on Asthma Causing Pollution from Mt. Tom’s Coal Plant in Holyoke
Franklin Land Trust Has Protected More Than 25,000 Acres
Window Restoration Policy, Springfield
Local Credit System Starts Trail Run in Greenfield
Massachusetts Announces Accelerated Energy Program
Federal Agencies Starting To Collect Data on Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water
NASA Finds 2012 Sustained Long-Term Climate Warming Trend
EPA Finalizes Revisions to Clean Air Standards for Stationary Engines
RGGI States Initiate Bidding Process for Auction 19
Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design Issues RFP for Rural Communities Facing Design Challenges
The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) seeks an Executive Director

Fracking Industry Cited By Prominent Medical Journal For Infringing Upon Patient–Physician Relationship

A report issued in The New England Journal of Medicine cites the controversial gas extraction process known as ‘fracking’ as one of four prime examples of an increasing trend whereby legislators, in cooperation with industry, “inappropriately infringe on clinical practice and patient-physician relationships.”

The October 18 article, titled “Legislative Interference with the Patient-Physician Relationship,” states the following:

“Four states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, and Texas) have passed legislation relating to disclosure of information about exposure to chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”).10 Fracking involves injecting into the ground toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene to extract oil and natural gas. Low levels of exposure to those chemicals can trigger headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness; higher levels of exposure can cause cancer. In Pennsylvania, physicians can obtain information about chemicals used in the fracking process that may be relevant to a patient’s care, but only after requesting the information in writing and executing a nonstandardized confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement drafted by the drilling companies.”

(The Pennsylvania “gag” order on doctors, regarding fracking, was reported on Planetsave previously).

The new report goes on to say :

”Physicians must have the ability and freedom to speak to their patients freely and confidentially, to provide patients with factual information relevant to their health, to fully answer their patients’ questions, and to advise them on the course of best care without the fear of penalty.”

In addition to fracking, firearms was cited as another example of ‘gagging’ doctors, specifically the 2011 Florida Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act, which “substantially impaired physicians’ ability to deliver gun-safety messages to patients.”
The authors of the article — five medical doctors who occupy the executive staff leadership of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Surgeons, conclude:

“We find this trend alarming and believe that legislators should abide by principles that put patients’ best interests first.”

About Don Lieber

Don Lieber is a writer whose works and investigative research have been published by the United Nations, The Associated Press, The International Campaign to Ban Landmines, The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, E-The Environmental Magazine and others. He contributes political and environmental writing regularly to several blogs, including PlanetSave.com. He lives in New York. View all posts by Don Lieber

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Things YOU can do to Put the Brakes on Climate Change

From Co-op Power – Co-op Power is a multi-class, multi-racial movement for a sustainable and just energy future with Local Organizing Councils in Massachusetts and southern Vermont. Wouldn’t someone like to start a Berkshire Organizing Council???

Here are some action steps that you can take:

Go here to support the public comment process for the National Climate Assessment. Don’t let the small minority of climate deniers dominate.

Go here to tell your Governor to lower the carbon caps for RGGI.

Go here to divest from fossil fuels and join the actions of 350.org

Watch “The Story of Stuff” and slow the flow of materials that we buy and throw away.

Watch “The Story of Change” and organize in each of your communities to say no to high oil company profits.

Use the resources we’ve built together at Co-op Power to make a difference:

Contact your Co-op Power Energy Coach to find more ways to get your home and business off of fossil fuels and get on your Pathway to Power (info@cooppower.coop, 877-266-7543).
Work with your Co-op Power Organizing Council to help build your local clean energy infrastructure so that it’s affordable and possible for everyone in your community to get off of fossil fuels. Contact info@cooppower.coop or 877-266-7543 to get connected.
Bring your money home. Build local resiliency by investing in sustainable and just businesses. Help get Northeast Biodiesel up and running with your membership and member loan. Contact lynn@cooppower.coop or 877-266-7543 for more information.

There is much that we know how to do now, and a lot we will learn how to do in the days to come. The only thing we can’t do is nothing.

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Discussion on Locally Produced Meat to be held in Pittsfield

Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF), Berkshire County Farm Bureau, Berkshire Grown, Keep Berkshires Farming! and Sustainable Berkshires will be sponsoring a discussion about locally produced meat: the challenges and opportunities, to be held Saturday, January 19, 2013, 11:30am to 1:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Pittsfield.

In a first of its kind gathering, these groups are getting together to present an exchange of ideas and information on how to support the local farming community and increase access and availability of locally raised meat. Building on the strong “buy local” movement, the discussion will delve into the topic of how to expand sales of local meat to the benefit of both farmers and consumers.

Brad Mitchell, Director of Government Relations for the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, will be presenting an overview of MFBF, and the work that it has undertaken in this area. Of special interest to local farmers is the MFBF bill, sponsored by Representative Steve Kulik, that would move oversight of slaughter operations from the Department of Public Health to the Department of Agricultural Resources. Following Mr. Mitchell’s presentation, there will be a question and answer session and discussion period.

“There is a huge market for local meat in Massachusetts–consumers want it and farmers can provide it. However there are a number of barriers that are restricting this market, keeping it much smaller than it could be. This is an opportunity for farmers, retailers, chefs and consumers to get together and help figure out how to bring more local meat to tables in Massachusetts,” said Bruce Howden, President of Berkshire County Farm Bureau “There are already some efforts directed toward this, but we need more people to get involved and support them.”

The event is open to the public and will take place from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the First Baptist Church, 88 South Street in Pittsfield. Lunch will be provided by Berkshire Co-op Market and will be served promptly at 11:30am. Interested parties should RSVP by January 14thto Berkshire Grown via email to Barbara@berkshiregrown.org, or by phoning 413.528.0041.

The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation is a non-profit, member-driven organization, representing 6,000 family members across the Commonwealth. Its mission is “to protect the rights, encourage the growth, and be of service to its members, in the best interest of agriculture.” Contact: Brad Mitchell, Director of Government Relations, tel. 508-481-4766, email: brad@mfbf.net, 249 Lakeside Ave., Marlborough, MA 01752 www.mfbf.net

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Project Native Announces Selections for 3rd Film Festival

Project Native announces film selections for the 3rd Environmental Film Festival, scheduled for Sunday, April 7th at the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington, MA. Films on a variety of topics, from 90-minute features to a series of short films for children, will inspire, enrage, and motivate audiences to engage. The following award-winning documentary films were selected to highlight the problems facing our world and actions we can all take for positive change: Bidder 70, Bitter Seeds, The Carbon Rush, People of a Feather, and YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip.

The day long festival will start with a collection of short films for children and families at 10:00am.

All films are shown free to the public thanks to support from the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.

To become an official sponsor or non-profit underwriter contact Karen Lyness LeBlanc, 413-274-3433 or kleblanc@projectnative.org

For more information about Project Native and film synopses please visit our website projectnative.org.

Project Native, a non-profit horticultural farm and wildlife sanctuary growing native plants in South Berkshire County.

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Bats: Creatures of the Night

Learn the true story of bats at Berkshire Museum! The Museum presents the exhibition, Bats: Creatures of the Night, from January 19 to May 12, 2013. Some people think of bats as scary, squeaky night-flying creatures, but these hugely misunderstood flying mammals don’t deserve their bad reputation: in reality, bats are gentle animals that play an extremely important role in the environment. Bats: Creatures of the Night is proudly sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Opening Day: Saturday, January 19, 2013

1-3 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of batty activities appropriate for all ages, from experimenting with echolocation, joining our Museum-wide extinction scavenger hunt, or creating a pair of bat wings.
4 p.m.
Lecture: Bat expert, Peter Youngbear, will lead a discussion on the current status of white nose syndrome on the bat populations.
All events free with Museum admission
5-7 p.m.
Preview reception:
Enjoy refreshments and tour Bats: Creatures of the Night.
Museum admission free after 5 p.m.

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MassDOT Releases 21st Century Transportation Plan

The MassDOT Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan .

BEAT Note: The plan is easy to read and outlines a number of possible funding sources. It is worth taking a look and submitting your comments on what the priorities should be and where the money should come from.

The long-term financing plan shows that the state needs $684 million to operate the same system we have today. The plan calls for an additional investment in our transportation assets of $5.2 billion over ten years in road and highway repair in order to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges and ease congestion on major arteries throughout the state; $3.8 billion to invest in existing transit services; and $275 million for Registry and airport maintenance. These investments responsibly maintain the current transportation assets we have today.

In addition, the plan identifies a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the Commonwealth. In all, the plan identifies a $1.02 billion average additional need each year to create a 21st-Century transportation network. <Read more>

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List of GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River Project Documents submitted to Repositories from December 16, 2012 through January 5, 2013

Documents submitted to the Berkshire Athenaeum

Letter from Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) to Kevin Mooney (GE), December 17, 2012, Re: Conditional Approval of GE’s 2012 Deposited Sediment and Isolation Layer Sampling Report; Upper ½-Mile Reach of the Housatonic River; GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site

Letter from Richard Fisher (USEPA) to Richard W. Gates (GE), December 19, 2012, Re: Conditional Approval of General Electric’s July 26, 2012 submittal titled Plant Site 1 Groundwater Management Area, Groundwater Quality Monitoring Interim Report for Spring 2012, GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site

Letter from Richard Fisher (USEPA) to Richard W. Gates (GE), December 19, 2012, Re: Conditional Approval of General Electric’s August 30, 2012 submittal titled Groundwater Management Area 1, NAPL Monitoring Report for Spring 2012, GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), December 21, 2012, Re: Floodplain GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Floodplain Non-Residential Properties Adjacent to 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD720) and 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD820); Summary of Annual ERE Inspections of Parcels I8-4-7 and I7-1-101

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), December 21, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Floodplain Non-Residential Properties Adjacent to 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD720) and 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD820); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection at Parcel I7-1-5

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), December 21, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Newell Street Area II (GECD450); Summary of Annual ERE Inspection for the City of Pittsfield Property

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), December 21, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Lyman Street Area (GECD430); Summary of Annual ERE Inspection for Portion of Lyman Street Sidewalk

Letter (with attachments) from Kevin G. Mooney (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), December 21, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; 1½-Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD820); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection Activities

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), December 26, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Newell Street Area I (GECD440); Summary of Annual ERE Inspection for Parcels J9-23-24 and J9-23-26

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dave Dickerson (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), January 2, 2013, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Unkamet Brook Area (GECD170); Summary of 2012 Annual ERE Inspection Activities

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), January 3, 2013, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Lyman Street Area (GECD430; 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River; Upper ½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD800); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection Activities

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), January 3, 2013, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Former Oxbow Areas J and K (GECD420); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection Activities

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), January 3, 2013, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Former Oxbow Areas A and C (GECD410); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection Activities

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), January 3, 2013, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Newell Street Area I (GECD440); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection Activities

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), January 3, 2013, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; East Street Area 1-North (GECD130); Summary of 2012 Conditional Solution Inspection Activities

Documents submitted to the Connecticut Repositories

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New Economics Institute Announces Campus Network Partners for 2013

In November we announced the creation of our Campus Network program and invited college and university students across North America to submit ideas for Strategic Summits on the New Economy on their campuses.

At the New Economics Institute, we believe that students and young people intuitively understand the need for new and restorative ways of thinking about—and participating in—economic life. Our applicants affirmed this belief in a big way. We were blown away by the dozens of detailed plans we received for exciting events and projects to engage campuses and communities in the work of building the New Economy.

Having welcomed our brand new Campus Network Organizer, Mike Sandmel, we came together as an organization to review more than 70 letters of inquiry and nearly 40 applications. We’re thrilled to announce that we will be offering funding and organizational support to students at the following institutions this semester:
Clark University
Worcester, Massachusetts
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, Maine
The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts
The New School
New York, New York
(un-funded recipient)
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
Gonzaga University and Bainbridge Graduate Institute
Spokane, Washington
A consortium of North Carolina schools led by the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
If you see a campus on this list with whom you’re interested in connecting, fill out a Campus Network interest form on our website. We will provide your contact information to the campus organizers, who will be in touch with more information.
These students’ proposals provided exemplary clarity of vision, sensitivity to local context, and opportunities for community engagement and sustained movement building. We’ll be sure to keep you informed as plans for these summits develop over the next few months.
Additionally, we are looking forward to continued engagement with ALL students who have submitted proposals, and we are committed to providing student organizers with resources such as New Economy literature, organizing materials, pathways to potential speakers, and cross-campus networking support.
We are reinvigorated by the incredible energy of the students in our movement, and are thrilled to be taking the next big steps together.
Looking forward,

Rachel Plattus

Manager of Organizing and Development, New Economics Institute
On behalf of the New Economics Institute Organizing Team

Our mailing address is:

New Economics Institute

1 Broadway, 14th Fl

Cambridge, MA 02142

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The Future of the CT River is in Your Hands

From Connecticut River Watershed Council, Inc. CRWC News

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will hold meetings at the end of this month to gather public input about the upcoming renewal of five hydroelectric operating licenses. This is your chance to voice concerns and insist on improved ecological health & recreational opportunities for over 175 miles of the Connecticut River.

Hydroelectric facilities at Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon in VT and Turners Falls in MA, as well as the Northfield Mountain pump storage in MA are beginning the process of requesting the re-issue of their 30-50 year operating licenses, to be issued in 2018. Once the licenses are issued, they are almost impossible to alter. Now is the time to address concerns such as establishing/improving migratory fish passage, managing invasive species, protecting spawning fish habitat, improving public recreation opportunities, and more.

Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to speak up for the Connecticut River. Daytime meetings will focus on resource agency, Indian tribes, and non-governmental organization concerns. Evening meetings are primarily for receiving input from the public. All interested individuals are invited to attend any of the meetings.

Your comments will be recorded and will help FERC and stakeholders understand issues and develop studies and operational changes. It is one of the few opportunities for interested people to speak on the issues over the next 5.5 years. If you have photos that would help illustrate your concerns, bring them. Let’s work together to have a healthy river with great recreational opportunities that also provides power to people and businesses all over New England.
Wilder Project – Evening Meeting
Date & Time: Monday January 28, 2013 at 7pm

Location: Kilton Public Library
80 Main St., West Lebanon, NH 03784

For directions please visit: http://www.leblibrary.com/getting-here or call 603-298-8544.

Wilder & Bellows Falls Projects – Joint Daytime Meeting

Date & Time: Tuesday January 29, 2013 at 9am

Location: Kilton Public Library
80 Main St., West Lebanon, NH 03784

For directions please visit: http://www.leblibrary.com/getting-here or call 603-298-8544.

Bellows Falls Project – Evening Meeting

Date & Time: Tuesday January 29, 2013 at 7pm

Location: Bellows Falls Middle School
15 School St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101

For directions please call Bev Baldasaro at 802-463-4366.

Vernon, Northfield Mtn, & Turners Falls Projects – Joint Daytime Meeting

Date & Time: Wednesday January 30, 2013 at 9am

Location: Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376
For directions please visit: http://www.greatfallsma.org/ or call 413-863-3221.

Vernon Project – Evening Meeting

Date & Time: Wednesday January 30, 2013 at 7pm

Location: Marlboro College Graduate School
28 Vernon St., Brattleboro, VT 05301

For directions please visit: http://gradschool.marlboro.edu/contact/ or call 802-258-9200.

Northfield Mtn & Turners Falls Projects – Joint Evening Meeting

Date & Time: Thursday January 31, 2013 at 6pm

Location: Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376

For directions please visit: http://www.greatfallsma.org/ or call 413-863-3221.

CT River Cumulative Effects – Daytime Meeting
In addition to the meetings listed above, a public meeting will be held specifically to identify cumulatively effected resources and to help identify the incremental effect of licensing these five projects with other past, present & future projects within the CT River Basin.

Date & Time: Thursday January 31, 2013 at 9am

Location: Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376

For directions please visit: http://www.greatfallsma.org/ or call 413-863-3221.

If you have questions about these meetings or the five hydroelectric projects, please feel free to contact me.

Andrea Donlon
MA River Steward
413-772-2020 x205
adonlon@ctriver.org

Connecticut River Watershed Council, Inc. | 15 Bank Row | Greenfield | MA | 01301

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Take Action to Support Strong Limits on Asthma Causing Pollution from Mt. Tom’s Coal Plant in Holyoke

From Sierra Club Massachusetts – Good news & Action Alert! The grassroots activism of concerned citizens like you worked and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is taking action to cut back dangerous asthma inducing pollutants from the Mt. Tom coal-fired power plant in Holyoke.

The MassDEP issued a new draft operating permit for Mt. Tom that could reduce the plant’s pollution levels. But before the MassDEP finalizes the permit, they’re accepting public comments to help decide exactly how much pollution the plant is allowed to emit. We have until next Friday, the 18th to submit comments demanding the lowest pollution levels possible.

Send a message today to let the MassDEP know you support the strongest possible limits to Mt. Tom’s dangerous asthma inducing pollution!

In the past year, activists like you have sent over 7,400 messages to the MassDEP and Governor Patrick, attended rallies in Holyoke and Springfield, made phone calls, written letters to the editor, collected petition signatures and spoken out at town halls to protect our air from Mt. Tom’s pollution. Mt. Tom in Holyoke — where the childhood asthma rate is more than twice the state average — has been operating with an outdated permit for years allowing it to spew dangerous levels of pollution into the air , but now your efforts are about to change that!

Let the MassDEP know you support their efforts to protect our air from Mt. Tom’s dirty coal pollution.

Our legal team successfully made the case to MassDEP that Mt. Tom is emitting asthma inducing pollutants above levels the EPA considers safe. Now, MassDEP is requiring Mt. Tom to prove that it’s not causing unsafe levels of pollution, or reduce it’s emissions. Because of this and your consistent grassroots activism, the MassDEP had no choice but to reduce the plants emissions to protect public health with a new permit with stronger clean air safeguards. Now we’ve got the best opportunity yet to address the higher than average youth asthma rate in the communities around Mt. Tom.

Submit a public comment today letting the MassDEP know they’ve got your support for protecting public health by holding the owners of Mt. Tom accountable for the dangerous pollutants the plant spews into the air.

I look forward to sharing more good news with you in the near future!

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Franklin Land Trust Has Protected More Than 25,000 Acres

It’s official! With the closing of three land projects at the end of 2012, FLT has crossed the 25,000 acre mark! We begin 2013 and our 26th year with 25,635 acres of land conserved through 319 projects. The last project of 2012 was the culmination of three years of work by FLT and the Hale family of Buckland.

Stephen and Lynn Hale first contacted the Franklin Land Trust in 2009 with hopes of gifting their 92-acre family property on Walnut Hill in Buckland to FLT. Stephen’s parents, Nathan S. and Gertrude B. Hale, originally lived on a farm near Clesson Brook, and bought the Buckland property in 1956. Nathan taught biology at Arms Academy and later at Mohawk Trail Regional High School. More…

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Window Restoration Policy, Springfield

from The People’s Preservation Force

The People’s Preservation Force, a coalition of citizens and groups united to preserve the heritage and future of Springfield, is working to get the Springfield Historical Commission to adopt a policy mandating window restoration where feasible in historic buildings. This will create local jobs.

Historical Commissions in each city and town are required to review proposals for window replacement in historical districts, and in older public and private buildings under the “Environmental Review” process.

Depending on whether the Commission enforces the regulations strictly or not, local contractors will or will not be able to get employment from those projects. Further, one local contractor has suggested that if window replacement policy can be clarified to mandate that historic windows should be restored, if feasible, a local window restoration shop providing 20 jobs, either union or employee-owned, could be set up shortly.

The choice is basically between hiring local people as part of a renovation or restoration project and sending large sums of money out of the community or even out of the State.

Please come to the Springfield Historical Commission meeting Thursday, January 17, 6:30 PM at City Hall, 36 Court St, to support the effort to get a sensible window policy that will create local jobs.

A suggested policy is attached for comment and consideration.

We should maximize turnout at the meeting to show the Commission that there is support enough for them to take a firm position in favor of preserving historic character.

Dave Gaby

Planner and Preservationist

413-731-0760 (Western Mass. Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health)

peoplespreservationforce@yahoo.com

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Local Credit System Starts Trail Run

rCredits, a new local mutual credit system backed by local nonprofit organization Common Good Finance, will begin a trial run on January 15 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, in preparation for its launch in March.

Greenfield residents are invited to participate in the trial run by registering at www.rCredits.org, and those who do will be rewarded with rebates and bonuses that will become spendable at area businesses such as Green Fields Market after the program’s launch.

The trial run is designed to give individuals and businesses an opportunity to practice using the system. It will also provide important data about spending patterns, in order to ensure that every participant in the system will have enough places to spend their rCredits.

The trial run entails making what rCredits calls “As-If Transactions,” or make-believe purchases and sales, that realistically reflect the way residents do business with local merchants in Greenfield today.

Exchanges will be made electronically using special ID cards, and cell phones or the internet.

Every As-If purchase and sale will earn the user rebates or bonuses — 5% on purchases, 10% on sales. As long as those As-If Transactions were realistic and typically what they spend, the users will receive the incentives they earned in rCredits to spend “for real” at local businesses in the months after both they and the businesses start participating.

Says William Spademan, Executive Director of Common Good Finance, “rCredits is a way for community members to extend credit to each other that is outside the US Federal Reserve system. It is a way to expand local residents’ exchange power within the local community.”

Local businesses that have so far signed up to use rCredits include Green Fields Market, Beyond Green Construction, Real Pickles, the Art Garden, and over forty others.

According to Spademan, when rCredits is fully instituted, it will include a forum for local residents to make decisions about funding local businesses and other community projects using democratic methods that lead to consensus.

To learn more about rCredits, visit www.rCredits.org. To ask questions about rCredits and the trial run, email info@rCredits.org.

About Common Good Finance
Common Good Finance has been working since 2002 to create “a society to benefit everyone,” where everyone has a voice and everyone matters, and where communities create funding together for whatever purposes they collectively find most important and most in alignment with their values.

Common Good Finance believes that when the people have the power to fund their priorities, they can create the safe, vibrant communities they want to live in and raise their children in, with liberty and justice for all.

Common Good Finance’s design for a new economy includes rCredits, a mutual credit system and new type of bank account, so that its community-centered innovation, decision-making, and funding process can connect seamlessly to the current mainstream economy.

rCredits: Empowering Ourselves through Community-Created Credits.

For more information, go to rCredits.org.

Common Good Finance
Real Democracy. Real Money. Real Power.
PO Box 21, Ashfield, MA 01330 USA
413-628-1723

Join us at CommonGoodFinance.org

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Massachusetts Announces Accelerated Energy Program

Innovative Program Sets Ambitious New Energy Goals to Reduce Energy Consumption at 700 State Sites; Will Save Massachusetts $43 Million Annually; Create Up to 4,000 Jobs

Building on the Patrick-Murray Administration’s nation-leading clean energy accomplishments, Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan today joined with state and local officials and representatives from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) to announce the Accelerated Energy Program (AEP), which aims to reduce energy consumption by 20-25 percent over 700 state sites, creating about 4,000 clean energy jobs and saving the Commonwealth an estimated $43 million annually.

State government is the largest energy user in the Commonwealth, consuming over 1 billion kWh of electricity and emitting over 1 million metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. Annually, agencies and campuses spend over $250 million per year on energy. The AEP program will be funded through the state’s Clean Energy Investment Program, general obligation bonds, and Mass Save®. The Clean Energy Investment Program uses utilities savings from energy and water projects to repay the bonds used to finance the projects.

AEP will significantly reduce the current annual consumption of more than 800 million kilowatt hours of electricity, 12 million gallons of heating oil, 55 million therms of natural gas, and emissions of more than 800,000 tons of greenhouse gases, which represent more than 4,000 buildings and 58 million square feet. The program will save an estimated 135,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, the equivalent of removing 26,000 vehicles from the road per year.

In 2012, for the second consecutive year, the Commonwealth was ranked the top state in the nation for energy-efficiency policies and programs by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). This distinction recognizes many initiatives in Massachusetts, including the investment and savings in energy efficiency for residential, low income, commercial and industrial electric and natural gas customers, delivered through the Mass Save® program. The Leading By Example (LBE) program, which AEP builds on, is also a key factor in this ranking. LBE was established in 2007 by Governor Patrick’s Executive Order No. 484, which set aggressive energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals and renewable energy goals for state government operations:

Reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions 25 percent by 2012 and 40 percent by 2020;

Reduce energy consumption 20 percent by 2012 and 35 percent by 2020; and

Obtain 15 percent of total electricity from renewable sources by 2012 and 30 percent by 2020.

For additional information on new and ongoing DCAMM/AEP energy initiatives visit www.mass.gov/dcam/aep, visit the Department of Energy Resources website www.mass.gov/doer and the Governor’s LBE program website www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/guidance-technical-assistance/leading-by-example.

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Federal Agencies Starting To Collect Data on Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water

EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of the Interior have agreed to improve coordination and collaboration on issues related to pharmaceuticals in drinking water through a new memorandum of understanding. Under this agreement, federal agencies will share scientific data and information and coordinate potential future research on the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, their sources and potential health effects.The agencies formulated the agreement in response to a recommendation by the Government Accountability Office in 2011. Click here for more information on the agreement.

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NASA Finds 2012 Sustained Long-Term Climate Warming Trend

NASA scientists say 2012 was the ninth warmest of any year since 1880, continuing a long-term trend of rising global temperatures. With the exception of 1998, the nine warmest years in the 132-year record all have occurred since 2000, with 2010 and 2005 ranking as the hottest years on record. FULL STORY

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EPA Finalizes Revisions to Clean Air Standards for Stationary Engines

Today, in compliance with settlement agreements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized revisions to standards to reduce air pollution from stationary engines that generate electricity and power equipment at industrial, agricultural, oil and gas production, power generation and other facilities.

The final revised rule announced today will reduce the capital and annual costs of the original 2010 rules by $287 million and $139 million, respectively, while reducing harmful pollutants, including 2,800 tons per year (tpy) of hazardous air pollutants; 36,000 tpy of carbon monoxide; 2,800 tpy of particulate matter; 9,600 tpy of nitrogen oxides, and 36,000 tpy of volatile organic compounds.

Pollution emitted from the engines can cause cancer and other serious health effects including: aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease; premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease; neurological, cardiovascular, liver, kidney health effects; and effects on immune and reproductive systems.

EPA estimates annual health benefits of the updated standards to be worth $830 million to $2.1 billion.

The final amendments to the 2010 “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE)” reflect new technical information submitted by stakeholders after the 2010 standards were issued. The updates will ensure that the standards are cost-effective, achievable, and protective, while continuing to provide significant emission reductions.

The amendments also specify how the standards apply to emergency engines used for emergency demand response.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rice/ricepg.html

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RGGI States Initiate Bidding Process for Auction 19

Auction to be held: March 13, 2013 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET

Auction Notice now available at:

http://www.rggi.org/market/co2_auctions/information

Webinar Information now available at:
http://www.rggi.org/docs/Auctions/19/Auction19-Webinar-Instructions.pdf

January 15, 2013 – The states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) 2013 auctions today released the Auction Notice and application materials for their nineteenth quarterly carbon dioxide (CO2) allowance auction, to be held on March 13, 2013.

The Auction Notice for CO2 Allowance Auction 19 provides potential auction participants with the information needed to submit a Qualification Application and indicate their intent to bid in Auction 19. As indicated in the Auction Notice for CO2 Allowance Auction 19, the states will offer for sale 37,835,405 CO2 allowances. The states will use a reserve price of $1.98 for the March auction.

Details

Key Dates:

January 17: Prospective Bidder Webinar [Registration & Details]

January 30: Intent to Bid and/or Qualification Application Due by 5:00 PM ET

March 6: Financial security due by 5:00 PM ET

March 13: Auction 19 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET)

March 15: Auction results posted to www.rggi.org

Bidder Webinar Information:

Prospective bidders are encouraged to participate in a free webinar, which is open to the public, that will review the RGGI auction format and qualification process.

The webinar will present the auction format, forms that need to be submitted, and an overview of the qualification process. No questions will be taken during the webinar. The webinar will be held from 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, January 17, 2013.

Date and Time:
Thursday, January 17, 2013, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET

Registration:
While the webinar is open to the public, registration is required.

To register for the webinar, please go to:

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/319512430 .

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Audio Access

Toll-Free Phone Dial In: (888) 609-1608
Alternative Phone Dial In: +1 (909) 259-0034

Access Code: 862-164-649
Presentation Slides and Recording:
The presentation slides for the webinar will be posted on the Auction Materials webpage no later than 10:00 AM ET on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

A recorded version of the webinar will be made available no later than 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 on the Auction Materials webpage.

The Auction Materials webpage can be visited at http://www.rggi.org/market/co2_auctions/information.

About Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc.: RGGI, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to provide technical and administrative services to the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. For more information please visit: www.rggi.org/rggi.

Our mailing address is:

RGGI, Inc.

90 Church Street

4th Floor

New York, NY 10007

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Important Announcement: Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design Issues RFP for Rural Communities Facing Design Challenges

Partnership of federal agencies and national organizations offers workshop funding, technical assistance, and additional resources

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is issuing a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges to host local workshops in 2013.

Successful applicants will receive a $7,000 grant and in-kind design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000. The Request for Proposals is on the new CIRD website: www.rural-design.org.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday March 5, 2013 at 5:00 pm EST.

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design is a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Project for Public Spaces, Inc., along with the Orton Family Foundation and the CommunityMatters® Partnership.

CIRD (formerly known as “Your Town”) works to help rural communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer enhance their quality of life and economic vitality through facilitated design workshops. The program brings together local leaders, non-profits, and community organizations with a team of specialists in design, planning, and creative placemaking to address challenges like strengthening economies, enhancing rural character, leveraging cultural assets, and designing efficient housing and transportation systems.

The workshops will be augmented with conference calls and webinar presentations led by experts who will cover topics related to rural design. The calls will also be open to the general public through CommunityMatters. The new website at www.rural-design.org is a portal for resources on rural design gathered from diverse organizations across the country. It will be a place for interested citizens to connect with one another and get information about improving design in their own communities.

Sign up for information calls, find the RFP and application guidelines at www.rural-design.org/apply. Selected communities will be announced in May 2013, and the workshops will be held during the summer and fall of 2013.

READ MORE > See the full press release here.

JOIN AN INFORMATIONAL CALL > on CIRD and the RFP. First call: January 23, 3:30-4:30 pm eastern.

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The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) seeks an Executive Director.

The mission of MACC is to protect Massachusetts natural resources by supporting Conservation Commissions through education and advocacy. MACC supports science-based laws and regulations that protect wetlands, water resources, open space, and other natural resources.

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for promoting and implementing MACC’s Strategic Plan. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and will work with a staff of 2 full-time and 2 part-time employees. The successful candidate will have an understanding of Massachusetts environmental law, regulations, and policy; an understanding of non-profit management and fundraising; a passion for natural resources, and excellent presentation and writing skills. Hours are flexible and compensation is commensurate with experience.

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2013. The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and supports environmental sustainability and cultural diversity in our workplace.

For a full job description and application instructions, click HERE.

For more info on MACC’s education, advocacy & resources go to
www.MACCweb.org or facebook.com/MACCweb.org

Contact MACC at staff@MACCweb.org or call 617.489.3930
10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA 02478

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