New Report: A Turning Point for Massachusetts

Will Federal and State Leaders Take Advantage of America’s Golden Opportunity?


Boston, MA (September 13, 2012) – Massachusetts can create jobs while powering our homes and businesses with local, clean energy, but only if our elected officials and regulators take the right steps now, according to a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation and local partners Environment Massachusetts, Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental League of Massachusetts, and Sierra Club. The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy: Time for Action to Create Jobs, Reduce Pollution, Protect Wildlife & Secure America’s Energy Future details the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind energy, potential obstacles to progress, and a prosperous path forward.


“America’s Atlantic coast has some of the best offshore wind energy resources in the world, the technology to harvest it is ready right now, and we have workers ready to do the job,” said Catherine Bowes, the National Wildlife Federation’s senior manager for new energy solutions and lead author of the report. “We need to take advantage of this golden opportunity to make our electricity supply cleaner, more wildlife-friendly, and more secure.”


“Instead of offshoring our energy resources and jobs, we should be building more American-made offshore wind facilities,” said Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), the Ranking Democratic Member on the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over offshore energy production. “The same winds that brought settlers to our shores looking for religious freedom can help usher in a new era of freedom from foreign energy sources. President Obama and leaders in Massachusetts have done their part to pave the way for offshore wind development. Now Congress needs to do its part by supporting vital wind incentives and ending the threats to raise taxes on wind energy production.”


"As the state's designated staging area for the nation's first offshore wind energy project, the City of New Bedford is excited about the tremendous potential for this emerging industry to generate jobs.  Wind energy means not just erecting turbines, but transporting complex machinery and equipment great distances, and developing new industrial technologies.  The ripple effects will spread right up the supply chain and across our entire economy," said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.  "Wind energy is also a way to preserve the rich maritime traditions that have made New Bedford and other coastal communities such unique and vibrant places, while strengthening our local economy, fostering our energy security, and protecting our environment for future generations."


Sue Reid, VP and Director of Conservation Law Foundation's (CLF) Massachusetts Advocacy Center, said, “As a co-sponsor of this important report, CLF is excited to see over a decade of our advocacy throughout New England coming to fruition. In Massachusetts, as elsewhere, there is much more to do to help offshore wind realize its promise as a cornerstone of our clean energy future, starting with the pioneering and long-overdue Cape Wind project. CLF will continue to use its expertise to assure that offshore wind is responsibly yet expeditiously deployed to replace dirty energy sources with clean home-grown power.”


“Citizens of Massachusetts win twice with offshore wind energy – not only does our economy benefit from the jobs and energy security that wind energy brings, but especially as a coastal state, we all benefit from cutting the carbon pollution that’s fueling climate change,” said Ken Pruitt of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “Congress needs to set aside partisan bickering and send a clear signal that America is committed to clean energy.”


“Congress should move offshore wind forward for the jobs it will bring as well as the clean energy benefits,” said Nigel Fellman Greene, a laid-off wind worker and Sierra Club activist. “As a wind worker who was laid off because of delays in wind energy tax credits from congress, I can personally testify how important this is.  The renewable energy sector seeks veterans to work in the field and unemployment among young veterans is above 20 percent. This is not just about my job, it is about putting our returning patriots to work, and Senators need to support the production tax credit and other incentives that will put folks like me back on the job on making clean wind energy."


Among the highlights of the report for Massachusetts:


·         Offshore wind energy will be an economic powerhouse for Massachusetts. Harnessing just 52 gigawatts of Atlantic offshore wind energy – just 4 percent of the estimated generation potential of this massive resource – could generate $200 billion in economic activity, create 300,000 jobs, and sustain power for about 14 million homes. Off Massachusetts alone, over 200 GW of energy generation of offshore wind potential has been identified.

·         Massachusetts is closer than ever to bringing offshore wind energy ashore. After over a decade, Cape Wind is finally within sight of the finish line with construction expected to commence in 2013. The federal government has established two formal wind energy areas off the coast of Massachusetts, the largest area under consideration anywhere along the Atlantic Coast. Under Governor Patrick’s leadership, the Commonwealth is poised to lead the nation in the pursuit of offshore wind energy.

·         Despite this progress, leadership is urgently needed at the federal level to ensure offshore wind energy becomes a reality in Massachusetts:

o   President Obama should set a clear national goal for offshore wind energy development. Federal regulators must continue to move forward with an efficient, environmentally-responsible permitting process for offshore wind projects that grants leases to developers by the end of 2012. Leases must include strong safeguards for coastal and marine wildlife.

o   Congress needs to step up and provide much-needed tax incentives – such as the Investment Tax Credit, Production Tax Credit, and Advanced Energy Project Credit – to advance this new job-creating industry.

·         Offshore wind energy can and must be developed in a wildlife-friendly manner. Not only do scientific studies show that properly locating turbines and requiring best management practices can minimize impacts on birds, bats, sea turtles and marine mammals, but transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy benefits all wildlife from cleaner air and water and cutting the carbon pollution that causes climate change.


“Like many states along the Atlantic, Massachusetts has no fossil fuel resources, forcing us to import almost all of our energy needs,” Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan said.  “Developing offshore wind, an indigenous and emissions free energy source just off the Massachusetts coast, would not only offer a tremendous economic opportunity by creating thousands of new jobs for our citizens, offshore wind will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vastly improve the quality of the air we breathe.”


 “Massachusetts can cut the pollution that fuels global warming and jumpstart a clean energy economy, but only if Senators Brown and Kerry take a leadership role in passing critical renewable energy tax credits so we can finally unleash our nation's offshore wind potential," said Alison Giest, Field Organizer at Environment Massachusetts.


The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy: Time for Action to Create Jobs, Reduce Pollution, Protect Wildlife & Secure America’s Energy Future is available online at: www.nwf.org/offshorewind

Get more National Wildlife Federation news at NWF.org/News.


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The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.

Climate Change House Call: The dangers of climate change for U.S. public health

Please read more about this event at The Democracy Center, 45 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, at 7:30 PM on September 20--and be sure to attend!

Massachusetts volunteers tell Congress to price carbon

Boston Citizens Climate Lobby made quite an impact last week in Washington, D.C. Click here to read more.

Three Mass. Representatives co-sponsor climate bill

While most members of Congress sit and ignore warnings from the scientific community about worsening climate change, three Massachusetts congressmen have demonstrated their commitment to a livable world by co-sponsoring the Save Our Climate Act, said Gary Rucinski, founder of the Boston chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby.

In the past month, Representatives Jim McGovern, John Olver and Michael Capuano – all Democrats – have signed on to H.R. 3242, introduced by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA). The bill would place a steadily-rising fee on carbon-based fuels – coal, oil and gas – which would motivate an economy-wide shift from fossil fuels to clean energy. Revenue from the carbon fee would be returned as equal shares to the public in order to protect consumers from rising energy costs stemming from the fee.

“It only stands to reason that congressmen from Massachusetts – the cradle of our democracy – would step forward to declare our independence from the tyranny of fossil fuels,” said Rucinski. “Citizens Climate Lobby in Boston is proud of the stand our representatives have taken to reduce the greenhouse gases that are heating up our planet.”

Stark’s legislation, which has 18 co-sponsors, awaits action in the House Ways and Means Committee.

“Climate change is a serious environmental challenge,” said Rep. Capuano. “We must work to address it and better understand it so that our environment and our economy will not be negatively impacted. I am supporting the Save Our Climate Act because it will give us some of the tools we need to take on climate change.”

Michael Mershon from Rep. McGovern’s office laid out the reasons for the congressman’s co-sponsorship of H.R. 3242: “Jim McGovern strongly believes we must protect our air, water, and natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations of Americans. He also believes that our economic security depends on reducing our dependence on foreign oil, improving energy efficiency, and creating new, green jobs here at home.”

Rep. Olver pointed to the revenue-neutral approach of the Save Our Climate Act, which would “return money to overburdened taxpayers. Additionally, it empowers our green energy technology sector – one of our country’s brightest prospects for re-asserting our leadership in the global economy.”

“That’s the real beauty of this bill,” said CCL’s Rucinski. “It motivates the private sector, rather than the government, to be the primary driver of the green economy. And that’s how it should be.”

Citizens Climate Lobby is an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to creating the political will for a sustainable climate. It supports the fee-and-dividend policy endorsed by NASA climate scientist Dr. James Hansen as a means of reducing the multiple risks of climate change. For more on CCL and fee-and-dividend, visit citizensclimatelobby.org.

Please attend the roundtable on EPA carbon rule in Boston on June 13th!

Public Roundtable Set for June 13 at Boston Public Library: Local Experts to Speak in Support of Cutting Carbon Pollution

The Massachusetts Clean Air Action Coalition will host a roundtable on June 13 with community leaders and EPA Region 1 Administrator Curt Spalding.

This event will provide an interactive opportunity to learn about the recent advances being made by the EPA towards cleaner air, and to hear from a diverse panel of local leaders who will provide their perspectives on how these issues impact Massachusetts.

Here in Massachusetts there are increasing signs that our health, environment, and economy are vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and climate change. Speakers representing the faith, health, business and scientific communities will speak to the specific impacts cleaner air has for their constituencies, as well as how recent efforts to prevent increases in carbon pollution from power plants will benefit the Bay State.

Where: Boston Public Library, McKim Conference Room,700 Boylston Street, Boston, 02116

When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13th

Panelists:

• Curt Spalding, Regional Administrator, Region 1, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Dr. Rachel Cleetus, Union of Concerned Scientists

• Vince Maraventano, Interfaith Power and Light

• Dr. Aaron Bernstein, MD MPH, Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

• Dan Bakal, CERES

• Moderated by Dr. Nejem Raheem, Environmental Economist and professor at Emerson College

On Thin Ice

From the National Wildlife Federation, a new study on the threat climate change poses to hunting and fishing.

Thinking Out Loud

Carol Oldham of National Wildlife Federation joined Green Front radio host Betsy Rosenberg today to discuss a new study on the psychological impacts of climate change.

UPDATE: The study in question.

Regional Conflict

The special interests are at it again in New Hampshire.

A new effort is underway to force the Granite State to abandon its involvement in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a successful effort to combat climate change by promoting energy efficiency. RGGI has helped New Hampshire; a November 2011 report by the Boston-based Analysis Group showed that RGGI provided $17 million of economic benefits to the state. However, those who are ideologically opposed to any effort to reduce carbon emissions find the program intolerable.

Just a year ago, RGGI's enemies launched a crusade to compel New Hampshire to withdraw from the program; their efforts failed thanks to the courage of New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch and the state Senate. Now, those who fawn over fossil fuels are once again fighting progress.

As Nancy Kyle of the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire recently noted:

While the RGGI program has ping-ponged politically over the past couple of years and is not particularly popular with the current New Hampshire Legislature, it is important to remember that this is a long-term program that is still maturing and advancing. New Hampshire consumers pay into the program through the regional wholesale market, so simply pulling New Hampshire out of the program will only leave us paying for a program and not receiving any of the benefits. In addition, by investing these dollars and the dollars the program leverages here in New Hampshire, we are keeping energy spending local. This is compounded by the fact that less energy purchased means more dollars staying in the local economy.

At its core, RGGI is a market-based carbon pollution control program that uses the market to establish the cost of pollution allowance on major emitters and then returns those dollars to ratepayers in the form of energy efficiency programs. This program stands in strong contrast to other top-down environmental regulations.

New Hampshire's motto, "Live Free or Die," is quite fitting with regard to this controversy. Either New Hampshire and other states will live free of carbon emissions, or the prospects of our children living in a habitable environment will die.

The effort to end New Hampshire's involvement in RGGI is a classic example of the shallowness of short-term thinking. Those who push for the RGGI repeal cannot foresee a day when clean energy will be dominant, a day when we will have broken free of our dependence on coal and oil. All they see is the quick fix, the (supposedly) sure bet.

It's a sure bet that those who are backing the RGGI repeal are not thinking of their children and grandchildren. Let them deal with an eroded environment and a compromised climate! We've got to get ours!

Who thinks like this? Who reasons like this? The intensity of their illogic is stunning.

RGGI proves that the economy and the environment can be nurtured and improved at the same time. It's a way to be green in both senses of the word. It's an important program, and it's important for New Hampshire to remain a part of it.

Paying the Price

Florida Representative Alcee Hastings deserves an ocean of ovations for introducing a bill to block oil companies from being able to write off the costs of cleaning up oil spills. The fact that powerful petroleum profiteers can financially absolve themselves of their sins against the seas is a national disgrace, one that Rep. Hastings' bill would remedy.

Hastings' bill is both fiscally and logically sound. There is no justification for oil companies being able to avoid bearing total responsibility for spills. Hastings notes,

Through clever accounting, a big oil company can actually deduct from its tax liability the money it spends cleaning up after an oil spill as an 'ordinary cost of doing business.'

There's nothing ordinary about outrages such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. If Hastings' bill passes, and oil companies are forced to pay in full for the damages caused by spills, perhaps these companies would figure out that pursuing a cleaner path just might be a wiser approach. After all, has there ever been a wind spill in the United States?

Hastings acknowledges that this bill could compel needed changes in American energy policy:

By eliminating a loophole that lets the largest oil and gas companies benefit from their own mistakes, this bill makes the tax code fair again for hardworking Americans and will put our country on track to develop a clean, sustainable, and sensible energy policy.

I believe the tax code should reflect our country's need to end our reliance on fossil fuels by discouraging blowouts and oil spills and providing incentives for responsible and efficient energy use, and sustainable, clean energy sources. We can no longer afford a 20th century energy policy when the rest of the world is well into the 21st century. From the Keystone pipeline debate to subsidies for oil and gas companies, our antiquated energy policy is reflected in our outdated tax code containing many provisions that have long since outgrown their usefulness. My bill will put our country on the right track.

It's difficult to imagine the oil companies (and the "free-market" outfits they sponsor) conjuring up any logical argument against this bill. They certainly can't plead poverty; ExxonMobil, for example, recently announced that it scored a $41 billion profit in 2011.

President Obama should call on Congress to pass this bill, and signal to the American people that he will not hesitate to sign it into law. What would be the political downside? How many Americans are really rooting for the oil companies to avoid financial responsibility for their actions?

There isn't an insult the opponents of this bill can come up with that will damage Obama. They've already exhausted their epithets. Obama merely has to emphasize that he's standing up for the rights of the American taxpayer--and that the opponents of the bill are standing up for the rights of their fossil-fuel financiers--and he wins the moral fight in a first-round knockout.

In his State of the Union Address, Obama vowed that he would not walk away from the promise of clean energy. However, clean energy won't fulfill its promise so long as the producers of dirty energy can get away with their economic and environmental damage. Does Obama want to be remembered as the man who wrote off concerns about the abuses of Big Oil?

Obama made a brave and bold decision when he gave a thumbs-down to the potentially hazardous Keystone XL pipeline. He should give a thumbs-up to Hastings' effort to hold oil companies accountable. By doing so, he will draw a line in the sand--a line between integrity and irrationality, a line between conservation and contamination, a line between morality and malice.

The Next Time Someone Tells You Carbon Reduction Efforts Will Be Too Expensive...

...tell them about how Australia is handling its carbon tax.

A great piece by Stephen Koukoulas.

"This is your future. This is your lifetime."

Katie Rooney of the Joe Elcock of the National Wildlife Federation speaks to students at Hopkinton (MA) High School on the need to take action to combat global warming.

Feature Presentation

Joe Elcock of the National Wildlife Federation speaks to students at Hopkinton (MA) High School on the dangers of mercury and carbon pollution.