climate

Say “No!” To Project 2015A, “Yes!” to MEPA review

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Thu, 09/02/2021 - 17:35

Contributed by Lynn Nadeau

I am concerned that the Marblehead Municipal Light Board (MMLP) bought into the Peabody peaker project 2015A, along with 13 other MLPs on the advice of Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) . But they acted years ago in 2017—before the Next Generation Roadmap (Acts 2021 Chapter 8) was passed—before the IPCC raised the warning on our overuse of fossil fuels—and before a full MEPA Environmental Impact Study was made.

The Climate Crisis is Here: Salem Rally Supports Green New Deal

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Thu, 08/26/2021 - 01:30

Judith Black was Mistress of Ceremonies for a rally called by the National Green New Deal Alliance to urge Representative Seth Moulton to support the budget reconciliation bill. Members from participating organizations included 350MASS, SAFE, SEIU 32 BJ, League of Women Voters, MARA (Mass Renew alliance) Renew New England Alliance, Breathe Clean North Shore, Sunrise, and many others.

Let’s Renew the Peabody Municipal Light Plant Partnership with Peabody

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 14:35

Guest Post by Tracy Valletti
I’m concerned about the health and future of our city and am against the proposed fossil fuel peaker project. We need a commissioner who will lead with a vision aligned with the residents and city departments to maintain and improve our quality of life. The negative health and climate effects of a polluting plant in our city and our world are real. I can no longer stand by as these warnings are ignored. I will advocate for investments in renewable energy sources that keep our communities clean and affordable. I will engage with residents to come together as a community to create a future that is clean, affordable, and accessible to all.

An Open Letter to the Honorable Governor Charlie Baker

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Mon, 07/26/2021 - 02:21

You have an obligation to enforce the Next Generation Roadmap (Acts 2021 Chapter 8) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transition to renewables, ensure that the law is followed, protect the public health and the environment, and most important, to assure a better future for our grandchildren.

No Stone Unturned for Safety (Part 2)

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Wed, 06/30/2021 - 02:11

When we are determined to find a solution, we say we will leave no stone unturned.

Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) and 14 participating municipal light plants have invested $30 million in a 55MW fossil fuel peaker plant in Peabody. What were they thinking? They don't yet have all the required regulatory and financial approvals needed to go forward. The peaker plant is not even likely to achieve the goals of providing inexpensive, reliable power to keep things running during times of extreme demand or crisis. Their plan faces strong opposition and risk, not only from clean energy advocates, but because of a failure of vision in their plan. Their goal is to continue to use fossil fuel technology to provide reliable, inexpensive service.

Look Under Rocks for Danger (Part 1)

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Wed, 06/30/2021 - 02:10

Municipal light plants provide reliable, low-cost electricity. The current proposal to install a third, 55 MW, fossil fuel power generation facility in Peabody threatens reliability, cost, public health, the environment, and our climate. The 300,000 ratepayers in the 14 municipalities comprising the generator consortium are investors whose money and health are at risk. A prudent investor will do careful due diligence—look under the rocks for the risks. Although in the past, considerations of profit and loss ruled investment decisions, we must now have a broader vision. From today, our vision must include public health, the environment, and the climate crisis.