As the new home of MASSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Massachusetts can be contacted regarding this news release.
BOSTON—Today members
of a coalition of over 50 environmental, public health and religious groups
praised the release of the Massachusetts
Climate Protection Plan. The plan, unveiled this morning at a press
conference at the Esplanade by Governor Romney, outlines a comprehensive roadmap
for achieving reductions of global warming pollution from the electricity, transportation,
and government sectors. In follow-up to the regional climate change agreement
signed by the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in August
of 2001, the Massachusetts plan is the first in the region to set the following
in-state goals: reducing global warming emissions from current levels to 1990
levels by 2010; reducing another 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020; and ultimately
reducing emissions by 75-85 percent long term.
"This plan lays out
a path toward a cleaner, healthier future for Massachusetts," said Frank
Gorke, MASSPIRG energy advocate. "We face a future with devastating levels
of pollution, unless we take action now to choose a cleaner path. Putting this
plan into action will make our state a leader in tackling the problem of global
warming."
"Given the growing
scientific consensus that supports deep reductions of carbon pollution, this
plan takes a critically important step forward by committing the state to immediate
action as well as long-term reductions of these emissions," said Cynthia
Luppi, Clean Water Action Organizing Director. "We urge the state to aggressively
implement this plan which will be necessary to meet these precedent-setting
pollution reduction goals."
Key policy highlights include:
- Finalizing the state's clean car requirement and supporting California's forthcoming
limits on vehicle carbon dioxide emissions;
- Reaffirming the state's commitments to promotion of renewable energy and to
reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the "Filthy Five" power plants;
- Leading by example: greening the operation of state properties and reducing
the state's energy use 25 percent by 2012;
- Enhanced carbon pollution reporting requirements for public projects;
- Commitments to address emissions from the air traffic sector; and
- Commitments to press states and provinces throughout the region to move forward
with clean car requirements and stringent appliance efficiency standards.
"Given the urgency
with which we must work to slow climate change, we are pleased with Governor
Romney's leadership in organizing a strong climate action plan and encourage
him to press for aggressive implementation, " said Union of Concerned Scientists
President Kevin Knobloch. "We particularly applaud forward thinking approaches,
such as promoting renewables and efficiency, and the adoption of California's
automobile global warming emissions rules, which will also reduce air pollutants
that contribute to respiratory disease, help create new, environmentally sustainable
jobs in Massachusetts, and decrease demand for imported fossil fuels."
"With global warming
presenting a growing threat to human health, the environment, and the economy,
this plan is an essential first step in reducing Massachusetts' contribution
to greenhouse gas emissions," said Marc Breslow, Director of the Mass.
Climate Action Network.
"The actions outlined
in the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan are common sense solutions that
address a fundamental challenge- the disruption of our climate by pollution
released in the burning of fossil fuels in cars and power plants," said
Seth Kaplan, Senior Attorney and Director of the Clean Energy and Climate Change
Program at the Conservation Law Foundation, adding "The initiatives in
the plan, if implemented, will improve the public health, help stabilize energy
prices and, most importantly, help build a safer future for our children."
The coalition also flags
the need for aggressive implementation of this plan in order to meet the overall
goals. In addition, the plan will need to develop over time to stay on a steady
path of reaching the ultimate goal of deep reductions. As the plan is further
developed, the groups will be pressing for clear tracking of the reductions
achieved from each program to ensure the combined reductions meet the goals
comprehensively.
"The air pollution
reductions from tailpipes and smokestacks across Massachusetts that are promised
in this plan will yield important and immediate health benefits including fewer
premature deaths, asthma attacks and emergency room visits due to respiratory
distress," said Carlos Alvarez, Executive Director of the American Lung
Association Massachusetts Chapter.
"Our religious teachings
tell us that, as stewards of the Earth, we have a moral obligation to address
the pressing problem of climate change," said Jill Wiley, Associate Director
of the Massachusetts Council of Churches. "This is an important step forward,
and sets Massachusetts on a path to a more secure future."
"The Massachusetts Climate Change Action Plan represents a good first step
in recognizing that we must act to reduce the pollution that damages God's creation,
"said Rachel Lessem of the Greater Boston Coalition on the Environment
and Jewish Life. "By implementing this plan, Massachusetts declares that
it will work to ensure that our children can inherit a clean, healthy world."
"Investments in energy
efficiency and renewable energy technologies create jobs and bolster the economy,"
said Nancy Hazard, Interim Executive Director of the Northeast Sustainable Energy
Association. "Implementation of this climate action plan will be good for
the state's economy and environment."
"This plan is an important
step in improving the health and environment of communities across Massachusetts,
particularly low income communities and communities of color who are most often
hit the hardest by air pollution hazards," said Laura Inkeles, Northeast
Organizer of EnviroCitizen.
