Approaching Joint Rule 10 Day, there are a number of important environmental bills that are yet to be reported out of committee. Your support of these bills is critical for their passage. I am asking you to please contact these committees and urge passage of these important bills. Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy: Bottle Bill Update, (Rep. Hecht, Sen. Creem, H2943, S1588) This would add water, sports drinks, juices, and iced teas to the existing successful nickel deposit system. It would decrease litter and increase recycling. They can take positive action now or it will appear on the November 2014 ballot. JTU Comprehensive Siting Reform for Land Based Wind Projects. (Wind Siting Reform) (H2980, S1591, Rep. Smizik, Sen. Finegold) For siting purposes, current law discriminates in favor of fossil fueled facilities. This bill facilitates the siting of land based wind energy projects. JTU Transition to a Clean Energy Commonwealth (Rep. Ehrlich, H2935) Would phase out coal in Massachusetts, help retrain workers, and help transition communities that host a coal plant. A clean energy future will make Massachusetts a leader in the World clean energy economy. JTU Environment and Natural Resources: Save our Public Lands The Public Lands Protection Act (PLPA) Rep. Balser, Sen. Eldridge, H657/S361) Our public parks are often threatened with development. The PLPA would provide important protection for these public lands in our communities. This is already administrative policy; this bill just affirms it and makes it permanent. J-ENV Incineration Moratorium and Phaseout (Sen. DiDomenico/Rep. Garballey, H706, S1004) Places a legislated, permanent moratorium on increasing trash incineration. Phases out incineration over the next 11 years. J-ENV [Oppose] Repeal of the Mass Endangered Species Act (MESA) (Sen. Candaras, Sen. Tarr S345, S411) These would eliminate or weaken of the states protections for rare species, with a successful history of 20 years of conservation of rare plants and animals. We urge the committee to report these bills unfavorably. J-ENV Revenue: Shifting From Carbon Emissions to Transportation Investment (Carbon Tax) (H2532, Rep Conroy, Sen. Barrett) Encourages energy efficiency by taxing those who pollute more, providing rebates to mitigate any effects of regressive taxation. REV Electric Vehicles Omnibus Bill (H.2594, Rep. Hecht) provides incentives for the purchase of EVs, adds incentives for charging stations, places charging station requirements for parking lots. REV Public Health: Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) (Rep. Ehrlich H1944). Hazardous air pollutants are toxic chemicals that are known or suspected to cause cancer, to cause birth defects, to cause serious health effects, or to cause adverse environmental effects. This provides a small pollution mitigation fee from HAPs producers; the proceeds would fund research and health studies on the health impacts from air pollutants. JPH Ban Polystyrene (Rep. Smizik, Sen. Barrett, H2087). Bans polystyrene (#6 plastic) in all forms when in contact with food. JPH Particulates, (Rep. Provost, H2059) Requires a study of the health effects of particulate air pollution from surface transportation, e.g. highways and rail. JPH Transportation: Make Idling Law Enforceable (S1636 Sen. Brownsberger) The current 5 minute limit is difficult to enforce and produces excessive greenhouse gas. This reduces the limit to 2 minutes. JTR (Massachusetts Sierra Club)
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 23:58:05 +0000