We Won! Permit Denied for Hotel on Dan Fox Drivefrom Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) We won! A developer had proposed a new hotel on Dan Fox Drive in Pittsfield, opposite the recently built, but now out of business, Patriot Resort Hotel. This new hotel would have been built between two forested wetlands, taking up almost every square inch of land in between. In fact, the proponent proposed to build a 14 foot high wall right next to one wetland, just to keep the development out of the wetland. In BEAT’s opinion, this would have destroyed the wetlands and killed off the animals that depend on having some upland to live on for part of their life cycle. So, when the developer received a permit from the Pittsfield Conservation Commission, we appealed it to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Late last week, the DEP denied the permit for the project! While there is a possibility that the developer will appeal the denial, or make changes and reapply, we don’t think that is likely and we are celebrating for now! Thank you very much to the 10 Citizens who helped us file the appeal, and all of you who supported our effort. It feels good to win. And all the juvenile woodfrogs that we saw on the site visit will have a chance to grow up and breed in the vernal pool somewhere on the property. Listen for their “quacking” as you drive down Dan Fox Drive next April.
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Action Alert – Tell Home Depot and Lowe’s to BEE friendlyfrom Beyond Pesticides Last month a new report co-released by Beyond Pesticides, Friends of the Earth, and other allies revealed that the neonicotinoids (neonics), the pesticides implicated in global bee die-offs, may be lurking in our own gardens. The study showed that more than half of the “bee-friendly” plants sold at retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s contained these “bee-killing” pesticides. Our coalition and nearly 200,000 people across the country have stepped-up to tell Home Depot and Lowe’s to stop selling these poisoned plants and off-the-shelf bee-killing pesticides. So far neither company has responded. We need to send a clear message to Lowe’s and Home Depot that it is not okay to further endanger our imperiled pollinators. With beekeepers reporting losses up to 90% last winter, consumers should be able to provide a true sanctuary for honey bees and other pollinators. If you haven’t already, sign the petition telling retailers to stop selling poisoned plants! [BEAT Note: Thank you to all of you who have already taken actions including those who printed out and hand-delivered a letter to Home Depot!!!] Europe has already placed a ban on bee-killing pesticides, and top retailers in the UK are refusing to sell them. Beyond Pesticides and allies are challenging top garden retailers to make the same commitment here in the U.S. Bees are essential to our food system and they are dying at alarming rates. We can protect bees in our own backyards and gardens right now by rejecting neonics and demanding that top retailers stop selling these bee-killing pesticides. Please join us in asking Lowe’s and Home Depot to BEE Protective and give bees a chance by not selling bee-killing pesticides. The bees have enough troubles — our backyard gardens should be havens for bees — not death traps. Give Home Depot and Lowe’s a call!
Other Ways to BEE Protective Through the BEE Protective campaign, Beyond Pesticides is leading a national public education effort supporting local action aimed at protecting honey bees and other pollinators from pesticides and contaminated efforts. Bees are in trouble and policy makers are just not acting quickly enough to help them, it’s your turn to join us in taking action to protect these beneficial insects.
Let’s BEE Protective and support a shift away from the use of these toxic chemicals by encouraging organic methods and sustainable land management practices in your home, campus, or community.
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56 Grants Awarded for Energy and Environmental Improvement Projects at Massachusetts FarmsEnergy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan today awarded 56 grants to Massachusetts farmers to implement renewable energy systems, improve energy efficiency on farms and help farmers reduce or prevent negative impacts to natural resources from agricultural practices. The announcement took place at Couto Cranberries in East Taunton, a recipient of one of this year’s grants, which total $700,000. “We are proud to support our local farmers in their efforts to ensure a sustainable future for their farms,” said Secretary Sullivan. “With each grant, we are creating opportunity for agriculture to stay rooted and grow in our communities. The Patrick Administration is committed to reducing energy costs and improve efficiency, and we’re thankful to the Commonwealth’s farmers who are partnering with us in our progress toward a clean energy future.” Twenty-three grants from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (DAR) Agricultural Energy (Ag-Energy) Grant Program will fund projects to reduce energy consumption and increase renewable energy use at Massachusetts farms. The projects include photovoltaic systems for vegetable and orchard operations, variable speed vacuum pumps for dairies, reverse osmosis machines for maple syrup operations and shade screens for greenhouses. Thirty-three grants from DAR’s Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) will fund projects like automated irrigations systems for cranberry operations, milkhouse wastewater treatment, manure storage areas, fencing and pesticide storage. The Ag-Energy Grant and AEEP programs are two of several within DAR’s Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance (DACTA). The division’s mission is to provide technical assistance, training, conservation and funding to promote economically viable and environmentally sound agricultural practices in Massachusetts. “These grant programs help farmers protect the state’s natural resources as well as our strong tradition of local agriculture,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “Implementing environmentally responsible and energy efficient practices are imperative for farms across to the Commonwealth to remain family-owned resources for fresh, healthy and delicious food.” “To achieve the Patrick Administration’s ambitious goals for Massachusetts’ energy future, we must support clean energy practices and reduced energy consumption in every sector of the Commonwealth,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “These grants will help Massachusetts farmers conserve energy and help their bottom line.” The Ag-Energy grants have funded 143 projects statewide since 2009, providing growers and producers more than $1.9 million to address energy issues on their farms. This year, 38 applicants submitted requests for a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects totaling approximately $810,000. AEEP funds practices that improve water and air quality as well as promote water conservation. Farmers selected to participate are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials and labor up to $25,000. DAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions – Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, and Crop and Pest Services – DAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit DAR’s website at www.mass.gov/agr, and/or follow at twitter.com/mdarcommish.
Today’s AEEP Grant Awardees:
Today’s Ag-Energy grant awardees:
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Patrick Administration Announces Largest Procurement of Renewable Energy in New England by Massachusetts UtilitiesIf approved, procurement would provide 565 megawatts of energy The Patrick Administration today announced that Massachusetts’ four utility companies have filed with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) contracts for the largest procurement of renewable energy in New England. The joint procurement by Northeast Utilities, which owns and operates NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo), National Grid, and Unitil would provide 565 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy, enough to power about 170,000 homes. The weighted average price from all of the contracts is less than eight cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). “Working together, we are making significant progress towards creating cost-effective, renewable energy and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Governor Patrick. “This procurement is a critical step in creating a 21st century clean energy future in Massachusetts.” In August 2012, Governor Patrick signed into law new energy legislation directing Massachusetts’ electric distribution companies to solicit proposals for long-term contracts associated with renewable energy projects to provide four percent of their total energy demand. The four companies issued a joint request for proposals, developed in consultation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and approved by the DPU on April 1, 2013. The following month, the companies received 40 bids to jointly consider. Short-listed bids were selected in July and contract negotiations took place throughout August. The DPU will begin its review process to ensure the procurement is cost-effective for ratepayers. This process includes a public comment period and public hearings for each of the utilities. “The Patrick Administration is working to ensure ratepayers are provided reliable, cost-effective energy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “This procurement would be a big step forward in doing that by reducing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.” The contracts call for six projects to be built in Maine and New Hampshire by project developers First Wind, Iberdrola Renewables and Exergy Development Group. “Through these new agreements, NSTAR and WMECo are further demonstrating our commitment to helping Massachusetts reach its clean energy goals and adding to the significant amount of renewable electricity we currently deliver to our customers,” said James Daly, Vice President of Energy Supply for Northeast Utilities, parent company of NSTAR and WMECo. “We applaud Governor Patrick and Secretary Sullivan for their leadership and hands-on approach in promoting regional renewable energy projects.” “We are pleased with the results of this solicitation. By pooling the resources of all the utilities, we were able to purchase a large amount of clean, renewable energy for the state at below-market prices,” said Ronald Gerwatowski, senior vice president, U.S. Regulation and Pricing, National Grid. “In addition to delivering environmental benefits for years to come, these agreements have the potential to save customers money over the long term. Renewables are an investment in our green energy future. These long-term power supply contracts are great news for our customers and the Commonwealth.” “Our focus as a company was to help present a filing that would meet the state’s requirement for renewable energy while at the same time offering a fair price to our customers,” Unitil media relations manager Alec O’Meara said. “We’re hopeful this filing will accomplish these goals.”
This procurement builds upon the success of the first major procurement of renewable energy that Massachusetts utilities conducted two years ago through a provision in the Green Communities Act which Governor Patrick signed in to law in 2008. Through that procurement process, each of the utilities executed long-term contracts for separate energy projects. Massachusetts and New England both have significant renewable energy resources. Massachusetts has more than 1,000 MW of wind energy potential onshore and over 6,000 MW offshore, while New England could power over 24 percent of its electricity needs from its more than 10,000 MW of wind energy potential. The Patrick Administration reached its goal of 250 MW of solar installed earlier this year, 4 years early, and set a new goal of 1,600 MW. When that goal is reached, it will generate enough electricity to power approximately 240,000 homes annually – the equivalent of 97 percent of Boston households. The Patrick Administration is currently working closely with other New England states on a regional strategy to unlock more clean energy opportunities from both renewable energy and large hydro.
“The energy policies we enacted last session are now being implemented by the Patrick Administration and I am very encouraged to see these efforts. Today the Department is helping the Commonwealth achieve its renewable energy goals, and, at the same time, is creating savings for the ratepayers,” said Senator Benjamin B. Downing, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
“I am pleased to see the continued success of the Commonwealth’s efforts to procure affordable renewable energy,” said Representative John Keenan, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “Ensuring a competitive bidding process and pooling our utilities’ resources will reduce costs to our ratepayers while making a significant stride towards reaching our renewable energy goals.”
“Massachusetts continues to lead the way in clean energy and this is a prime example of a successful policy that will benefit all of the people of the Commonwealth for the future”, said Representative Anne Gobi of Spencer, the Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture.
“The New England Clean Energy Council is thrilled to see these proposals submitted and looks forward to a thorough and swift review by the Department of Public Utilities,” said New England Clean Energy Council President Peter Rothstein. “Massachusetts is truly a leader in the effort to bring lower cost, clean energy to consumers. Massachusetts’ long-term contracting process should serve as a model for other states as they seek to develop power purchase agreements for renewables.”
“These renewable energy procurements represent a significant step in transforming New England’s generation fleet over to new, clean and cost-effective resources that allow our region to invest in its local economy rather than send millions of dollars beyond its borders for fossil fuels,” said RENEW’s Executive Director Francis Pullaro.
“By again taking action to go long on renewable energy at locked-in prices, Massachusetts is further buffering electric customers from the fossil fuel price rollercoaster,” said Conservation Law Foundation President John Kassel. “Importantly, long-term renewable energy contracts allow Massachusetts customers to save money while boosting the development of new clean renewable energy projects. The package of long-term contracts announced today continues the promising trajectory of aligning environmental and economic objectives in a significant step toward a clean energy economy.”
“ELM commends both the Patrick Administration and the Commonwealth’s utilities for their cooperative efforts to cost-effectively procure clean energy that will benefit both ratepayers and the environment. Long-term contracts for renewable energy will contain costs and prevent price volatility. And it will accelerate our march toward reliable, renewable, clean energy,” said Environmental League of Massachusetts President George Bachrach. “Massachusetts already leads in energy efficiency, the first off-shore wind farm in America and now a united front to increase our clean energy portfolio. This is an important public-private partnership.” Massachusetts sits at the end of the energy pipeline, spending billions of dollars annually to import all of its fossil fuel based energy sources from places like South America and the Middle East. That is lost economic opportunity that Massachusetts stands poised to reclaim through investments in home-grown renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Currently, Massachusetts has 311 megawatts of solar power installed, with more than 130 megawatts installed in 2012 alone. That’s enough electricity to power more than 46,600 homes and, when compared with fossil fuel-generated electricity, the equivalent of eliminating the GHG emissions from 32,224 cars per year. There has been an increase in wind energy from 3 megawatts to 103 megawatts since 2007, enough to power more than 30,867 homes and eliminate GHG emissions from more than 21,345 cars annually.
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EPA Proposes Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power PlantsAgency takes important step to reduce carbon pollution from power plants as part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed Clean Air Act standards to cut carbon pollution from new power plants in order to combat climate change and improve public health. In addition, EPA has initiated broad-based outreach and direct engagement with state, tribal, and local governments, industry and labor leaders, non-profits, and others to establish carbon pollution standards for existing power plants and build on state efforts to move toward a cleaner power sector. Today’s proposal achieves the first milestone outlined in President Obama’s June 25 Memorandum to EPA on “Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards,” a major part of the President’s Climate Action Plan. “Climate change is one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. By taking commonsense action to limit carbon pollution from new power plants, we can slow the effects of climate change and fulfill our obligation to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our children,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “These standards will also spark the innovation we need to build the next generation of power plants, helping grow a more sustainable clean energy economy.” Under today’s proposal, new large natural gas-fired turbines would need to meet a limit of 1,000 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour, while new small natural gas-fired turbines would need to meet a limit of 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour. New coal-fired units would need to meet a limit of 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour, and would have the option to meet a somewhat tighter limit if they choose to average emissions over multiple years, giving those units additional operational flexibility. These proposed standards will ensure that new power plants are built with available clean technology to limit carbon pollution, a requirement that is in line with investments in clean energy technologies that are already being made in the power industry. Additionally, these standards provide flexibility by allowing sources to phase in the use of some of these technologies, and they ensure that the power plants of the future use cleaner energy technologies — such as efficient natural gas, advanced coal technology, nuclear power, and renewable energy like wind and solar. In response to recent information and developments in the power sector and more than 2.5 million public comments, including those from the power sector and environmental groups, today’s proposal sets separate standards for new gas-fired and coal-fired power plants. Power plants are the largest concentrated source of emissions in the United States, together accounting for roughly one-third of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, nearly a dozen states have already implemented or are implementing their own market-based programs to reduce carbon pollution. In addition, more than 25 states have set energy efficiency targets, and more than 35 have set renewable energy targets. While the United States has limits in place for arsenic, mercury and lead pollution that power plants can emit, currently, there are no national limits on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit. In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment. Taking steady, responsible steps to cut carbon pollution from new and existing power plants will protect children’s health and will move us toward a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations, while supplying the reliable, affordable power needed for economic growth. The agency is seeking comment and information on today’s proposal, including holding a public hearing, and will take that input fully into account as it completes the rulemaking process. EPA’s comment period will be open for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. In a separate action, EPA is rescinding the April 2012 proposal. Separately, EPA has initiated outreach to a wide variety of stakeholders that will help inform the development of emission guidelines for existing power plants. EPA intends to work closely with the states to ensure strategies for reducing carbon pollution from existing sources are flexible, account for regional diversity, and embrace common sense solutions, allowing the United States to continue utilizing every fuel source available. In accordance with the June 25 Presidential Memorandum, EPA will issue proposed standards for existing power plants by June 1, 2014. President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, announced at Georgetown University on June 25, 2013, takes steady, sensible, and pragmatic steps to cut the harmful carbon pollution that fuels a changing climate, prepares our communities for its impacts, while continuing to provide affordable, reliable energy for Americans. More information: More information on President Obama’s Climate Action Plan: To hear an audio message on today’s announcement from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy: http://go.usa.gov/DUSG
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$9,890 Raised via Crowdfunding Website for River Restoration Projects
Greenfield, MA – Three river restoration projects in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts have received a total of $9,890 in donations via the “crowdfunding” website CleanWaterFuture.org – which links people, businesses and organizations to conservation projects that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, erosion control, and access.
All three projects are located in the Connecticut River watershed. The Massachusetts project – located on Kinne Brook in the Westfield River watershed – was sponsored by Trout Unlimited. The Vermont project – located in Woodstock, VT on the banks of the Ottauquechee River – was sponsored by Sustainable Woodstock and focused on creating a community park and removing streamside Japanese Knotweed (an invasive plant). The New Hampshire project – which focused on control and removal of invasive species in the Upper Valley – was sponsored by the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC), who also administers the CleanWaterFuture.org website.
“Our goal is to give communities the opportunity to support on-the-ground conservation projects,” said Andrew Fisk, Executive Director of CRWC. “These projects will result in meaningful improvements in water quality, habitat and the overall health of the Connecticut River watershed.” Donations for this round of projects ranged from $10 to $1,500 and came from individuals, businesses and organizations.
Nearly $55,000 has been raised through CleanWaterFuture.org for 17 separate projects over the past several years. Donations are made by credit card through the CleanWaterFuture.org website at any giving level that suits the donor. CRWC will continue their effort to improve the health of the Connecticut River watershed by launching new projects on the Clean Water Future website later this year with additional project sponsor organizations.
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State Divestment Bill Gains Momentumby Dana Drugmand for the Berkshire Beacon Massachusetts is one of the leading states in the U.S. in building a clean energy economy and number one in the nation in energy efficiency. Now the Bay State has a chance to lead yet again. A bill has been filed in the state legislature that, if passed, would make Massachusetts the first state in the country to divest its public pension fund from the fossil fuel industry. The bill, S.1225, is sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield) and calls for the state to gradually divest its pension fund holdings from fossil fuel companies. Specifically, the Act would direct the fund managers to cease any new investments in fossil fuels and divest 20 percent in holdings in fossil fuel companies each year over five years, so long as the aggregate value of the fund does not drop more than .5 percent as direct result of divestment. Read the full article.
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What’s Next for the Great Barrington Fairgrounds?by Dana Drugmand for the Berkshire Beacon Driving along Route 7 just south of downtown Great Barrington, motorists pass by the Great Barrington Fairgrounds. Once the site of a storied agricultural fair, the grounds have been abandoned since 1999. Now there are signs of revitalization of the site, and while news has already spread that the property has fallen into new hands with ambitious plans, many of us are left wondering ‘What is really going on with the Fairgrounds?’
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Great Barrington/Egremont Solar Power SurveyThe towns of Great Barrington and Egremont are gauging interest for the Solarize Mass program, which other towns in the Berkshires have already adopted with great success. If you live in one of these two towns, please take the time to answer the small survey at the link below.
To read more about the program, check out Mass CEC’s Solarize Mass site: http://www.masscec.com/solarizemass
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Museum Day LiveSaturday, September 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Berkshire Museum will open its doors free of charge to visitors presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket on Saturday September 28, 2013, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s ninth annual Museum Day Live! The Museum Day Live! ticket is available to download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. One ticket is permitted per household, for two people, per email address.
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Bird Seed Sale to benefit Friends of the Dyken Pond Center
Grafton –Bird seed is being offered by the Friends of the Dyken Pond Center this fall as a fundraiser to support programs and activities held at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. This is a one-time sale and birdseed must be pre-ordered by Sunday, October 13th. There will be a pick-up day on Saturday, October 19th at the Capital Agway located on NY Route 7 in Brunswick from 9 am until 12 noon. Everyone picking up their orders at Capital Agway will receive a 10% discount coupon good for all bird related items. If you can’t make it on October 19th, no problem, just call the Center at (518) 658-2055 to make alternate arrangements for a pick-up at either in Troy or Grafton. Order information can be viewed and printed from our website at www.dykenpond.org or call Jamie Meehan at (518) 301-3802 or jmeehan005@nycap.rr.com. Attracting and pleasing colorful birds depend upon the food offered to them. We have high quality bird seed in an assortment of blends to attract the birds you desire. Please consider supporting environmental education for people of all ages by buying birdseed this fall.
Dyken Pond Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing, bird watching, geo-cashing, and non-motor boating. The Friends of Dyken Pond was created in 1991 to enhance the education, research and appreciation of our natural resources.
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MA Land Conservation Conference RFP-Due Oct 2824th Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference Request for Proposals – Due October 28, 2013 Dear Conservation Colleagues,
We are looking for proposals for the 2014 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference.
About the conference: This annual, day-long training and networking event provides land trust board members and staff, urban parks administrators and advocates, municipal commission members and others interested in land conservation with the information, skills, and connections they need to be most effective. The 2014 conference theme is “Healthy Land – Healthy Communities”
While the benefits of protecting our forests, farms and river corridors are well appreciated, green investment pays many other dividends. Our health, and that of subsequent generations, depends upon the health of our environment. Land conservation and greening our communities contributes to better quality of life by creating more livable neighborhoods, preserving biodiversity, maintaining clean air and water, providing access to outdoor recreational opportunities and to fresh, local food. We are delighted to have as keynote speaker Dr. Eric Chivian, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and founder of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard University.
We welcome your workshop proposals addressing the conference theme or other land conservation topics. In 2014, the workshop tracks will be: – Healthy Land -Healthy Communities & Emerging Issues – Land Management & Stewardship – Land Protection Tools & Techniques – Legal, Tax & Compliance Matters – Organizational Management & Fundraising – Urban Conservation & Greening
To submit a workshop proposal, click here The Conference Program Committee will consider all submissions received by October 28, 2013. If you have questions about the submission process or problems submitting your proposal online, please contact Kathy McGrath at kmcgrath@massland.org
The Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference is convened by the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition with the generous support of our sponsors.
We are very grateful to the growing list of organizations who have already committed to sponsor the conference. If you would like to be a sponsor, get details here. Download the sponsor form here.
Benefactor Level The Trustees of Reservations
Conservator Level Land Trust Alliance
Steward Level Berkshire Natural Resources Council |