Franklin gains "Green Community" status

The Baker-Polito Administration today (12/28/17) announced that an additional 25 Massachusetts cities and towns have been designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as Green Communities, committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. With today’s designation, over half of the Commonwealth’s municipalities have earned their Green Communities designation and 68 percent of residents live in a Green Community. 

The 25 new Green Communities are now eligible for grants totaling $4,316,955 to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in their communities. Since the program began in 2010, DOER’s Green Communities division has awarded over $65 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through designation and competitive grant rounds. 

“The Green Communities Program helps the state achieve a renewable energy portfolio, while preserving taxpayer resources,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With over 68 percent of residents living in a green community, the program continues to be a successful model for state and local governments working together to achieve impactful progress and responsible savings.”

Continue reading the press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-designates-25-cities-and-towns-as-green-communities


Franklin gains a grant as part of the status

Franklin

$183,020

For more about Green Communities

https://www.mass.gov/green-communities-designation-grant-program

The Green Communities brochure

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/29/gc-brochure.pdf

For more about Green Communities

NationalGrid: Keep bills low as summer heats up

Keep bills low as summer heats up. nationalgridus.com. To view this email as a web page, click here.

With summer in full swing, temperatures are high and so is home electricity usage. Take advantage of our programs and solutions to help you take greater control of your energy use now, and year round. There are many cost effective ways to beat the heat without sacrificing comfort. We encourage you to follow these simple tips and visit ngrid.com/summerbills for even more ways to save. ▪ Draw blinds, shades, drapes – Close window dressings to block the solar gain during the hottest part of the day on south and west facing windows. ▪ Adjust the thermostat – Adjusting your thermostat a few degrees can lead to big savings on your bill. National Grid recommends a setting of 78 degrees or higher when you're home. A 75-degree setting will cost about 18 percent more than a 78 degree setting. ▪ Use programmable thermostats – Programmable thermostats allow you to set schedules to reduce cooling when the house is empty. ▪ Clean or replace air conditioner filters – Keep the air flowing freely by checking your air conditioner filter and replacing or cleaning it if it's clogged. ▪ Turn off fans – Fans don't actually cool your home; they only circulate air to make you feel cooler. Turn them off when you're not home or in a room where they're running. ▪ Unplug electronics – Even though your television and other appliances are turned off, many electronics still draw electricity (phantom load). Unplug any unnecessary electronics and chargers until you return home. An advanced power strip on your entertainment system can turn off the power to peripheral devices when the TV is not in use, reducing phantom energy use all year-long and saving you up to $60 annually. ▪ Use light timers, motion detectors – Many people like to leave a light on to make it seem like someone is home while they are away. Use a light timer instead for just a little while each evening. This saves energy and gives a more realistic impression of someone being at home. Rather than leaving your porch light on the entire time you're gone, install a motion detector to be used both when you're at home and away. ▪ Check refrigerator and freezer temps – The ideal refrigerator temperature is between 37 and 40 degrees. For the freezer the ideal reading is 5 degrees. ▪ Consider replacing or recycling older-model working refrigerators – Older model refrigerators often can use more than four times the energy of newer models and cost up to $150 a year to run. You can get paid to get rid of them with National Grid's recycling programs in Massachusetts that now pay $50 per unit (up to two per household). ▪ Choose the right dehumidifier – An ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier removes the same amount of moisture from the air as a standard model but uses 15 percent less energy. You'll save up to $175 over the product's lifetime. And you'll save even more with a $30 rebate from National Grid. National Grid Here with you. Here for you.

National Grid - Summer bills

"people feel like they have a good alternative"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A small but growing number of cities and towns are negotiating new electric contracts for their residents to boost renewable energy use in Massachusetts, bypassing the basic service offered by utilities such as National Grid and Eversource. 

The practice is called municipal aggregation. 

“Traditionally, it’s been much more used as a practice to achieve savings and provide much more price stability,” said Cammy Peterson, director of clean energy at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. “The innovation is that piece where they’re also using it as a tool to advance renewable energy in a supply.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170505/massachusetts-towns-ditch-standard-electric-service-to-embrace-green-power

Franklin's plan was released in Feb 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

The aggregation plan is ready to go as of Nov 2016

Municipal aggregation is ready but the pricing is not expected to produce sufficient savings to execute it right now. The Town is ready to do so, all the approvals have been received.They will continue to watch the market pricing to see when to make the move.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/no-change-in-town-council-leadership.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/in-news-legislative-delegation-reports.html

“Is the fuel delivery infrastructure as constrained as it may appear or not? Prices may suggest it’s not.”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"New England has undergone a profound shift in how it produces electricity over the past decade and a half, phasing out coal and oil plants while becoming more reliant on natural gas. 

Following passage of a state energy law this summer, Massachusetts will see wind, solar and imported hydropower become increasingly important sources of energy in the coming years, but many in the energy industry expect natural gas to remain a crucial resource for the foreseeable future. 

“We’re not going to likely see any new coal built in the region,” said Anne George, vice president of external affairs and corporate communications for grid operator ISO New England. “Oil is very limited in this region … There’s unlikely to be any new nuclear in the region. So you’re left with natural gas, and we do see the increasing desire to develop renewables.” 

Back in 2000, just 15 percent of New England’s power was produced by burning natural gas. Last year, natural gas accounted for 49 percent of all electricity generated in the region."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161205/energy-landscape-undergoes-major-changes

About us page for ISO New England

ISO New England - screen grab of real time chart showing fuel mix (non-renewables)

ISO New England - screen grab of real time chart showing fuel mix (renewables)

Download these brief explanation documents from ISO New England:

• A summary of power grid facts and figures (PDF)
• An overview of the region’s wholesale electricity marketplace (PDF)
• A rundown of ISO New England’s latest high-tech initiatives (PDF)
• 
  

Comment Concerning the Danger of adding the Proposed Spectra Energy Natural Gas Pipeline

Comment Concerning the Danger of adding the Proposed Spectra Energy Natural Gas Pipeline, Delivered at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Scoping Meeting, May 18, 2016, Milford, MA. 

If this meeting were happening in 1963 when the current old bare steel pipeline was installed who would be here? Perhaps a few farmers looking for compensation or expressing concerns about the impact on their livelihood. That was then and now is now. Today these areas are heavily populated and we know much more about the effects of gas leaks. And now Spectra Energy is proposing to build a second high pressure line as close as 20’ from the old one. I contend that this idea is irresponsible given what we know. 

I’m not here tonight to talk about the environmental damage caused by fracking and gas leaks. I’m not here to talk about exporting natural gas and having us pay a tariff to do it. And I’m not here to restate that the Attorney General’s and the Conservation Law Foundation’s reports indicate that there’s no need for another pipeline that would interfere with the goals of the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act. 

I’m here to share the concerns of many residents who worry about the safety of gas pipelines. At a Spectra Energy open house in February I observed aerial pictures of the existing and proposed pipelines. I’ve been to many affected neighborhoods and observed that the current pipeline is roughly within 25’ of some homes and within 50’ of many others. 

Most of these homes were built after the pipeline was installed in 1963, and before people knew the potential dangers caused by leaks. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the HCAs (High Consequence Areas) are at least a 660’ radius. Hundreds of homes lie within this zone. According to a Spectra employee, the old 24-inch bare steel pipe contains about 700lbs per square inch of pressure and the proposed 30” line can handle up to 1200 lbs. So what could happen? 

Given that a similar old bare steel transmission line exploded on April 29th in Pennsylvania after being inspected two years earlier is very concerning and calls into question Spectra’s ability to assess pipeline safety. Houses were destroyed and a man was badly burned. The preliminary finding was that the leak was caused by corrosion. The inspection didn’t prevent this. 

On January 5th Medway had a serious gas leak where a lateral pipeline crosses Rt. 109. According to the Milford Daily News, six homes were evacuated while the leak was repaired. In addition to the Medway Fire Department, three other fire departments were on hand. Luckily, it didn’t explode. 

According to Heetma.org, Massachusetts has more than 20,000 natural gas leaks, so why pump more gas into a leaky system? It just doesn’t make sense.
In my opinion, the fact that the proposed pipeline could be as close as 20 feet from the existed line would increase the incineration zone exponentially. If one pipeline explodes, the other probably could too. A leak and a spark would be devastating. This could happen anywhere in Massachusetts given the enormous number of ignored leaks. 

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from 1994 through 2013, there were 110 serious incidents with interstate gas transmission pipelines. This resulted in $448,900,333 in property damages, 195 injuries and 41 deaths. 

From 2002 to 2015 there were 589 resolved civil penalty cases totaling $47, 447,675. At this time there are another 637 open cases with proposed penalties of $64,856,000 Given that Massachusetts has over 20,000 natural gas leaks, why would we pump more natural gas into a leaking system? It just doesn’t make sense. 

On November 30, 2015 Steve Aklquist of RI Future.org wrote an article based on an interview with two former safety inspectors who worked for Spectra in nearby Burrillville, Rhode Island. The two safety inspectors were working on a section of Spectra Energy’s AIM pipeline system and stated that the company cut corners when it came to project, worker and environmental safety. 

One inspector was quoted as saying, “Right now, what they’re hoping to do, is they’re hoping to slam all this through, and then at the end ask for forgiveness,” They’ll say, “Oops, sorry about that, I didn’t know, let me write you a check. Because once this thing’s turning meter, they’re going to be making millions of dollars a day. It doesn’t matter what your problems are.” 

According to the article the other inspector added , “These pipes have to last underground for at least 50 years….If there’s the smallest mistake in their cathodic protection, that’s what’s going to corrode. All of a sudden you’ve got, even at 800-900 pounds of pressure, doesn’t sound like much, but when you’ve got a 42-inch pipe, traveling that distance and it goes ka-bang, you’re not talking about taking out a block, you’re talking about taking out a large area. You’re talking about a humongous ecological impact, you’re talking about displacing hundreds of families, you’re talking about leveling homes, killing people instantly, I mean, if one of those places were to go up, it’s going to be a bad day.” End of quote. 

As I said, I’m not here tonight to talk about the environmental damage caused by gas leaks and fracking. Or the fact that both the Attorney General’s and the Conservation Law Foundation’s research indicates that there are better ways to address peak winter days than adding another pipeline. 

I’m here to say that given the track record of pipelines and the extreme pressure and location of the proposed pipeline, we ask that FERC consider the safety of our citizens by rejecting this proposal. Thanks for your time. 

Respectfully submitted by, 

James F. Hill
Franklin, MA 02038

No Spectra sign found on a Franklin lawn

In the News: cadet gets wings, SJC ruling added to Exelon file, vacation bible school, substance abuse talk scheduled, Upton schedules pipeline forum

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Cadet Matthew Williams, 18, of Franklin, received his Silver Pilot Wings recently from squadron commander Maj. Theodore Johnson at a meeting of the Lt. Col. Frank Pocher Minuteman Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Marlborough.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160518/franklin-resident-receives-silver-pilot-wings

"A state Supreme Judicial Court ruling that the state Department of Environmental Protection regulations do not fulfill requirements of a 2009 global warming law have been added to Exelon’s project file with a state board. 

The ruling, which affirms the Global Warming Solutions Act, was sent to the Energy Facilities Siting Board, which is currently reviewing Exelon’s proposal to build a 200-megawatt expansion of their existing Summer Street facility in Medway. 

The Conservation Law Foundation, one of the parties involved in the SJC case, called the ruling “binding authority that is directly relevant to the Board’s decision” on Exelon’s proposal."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160518/medway-sjc-ruling-sent-to-siting-board-exelon

"Vacation Bible School will take place from 9 a.m. to noon July 18-22 at Anglican Church of the Redeemer, 31 Hayward St. 

Children ages 3 to fifth grade are welcome."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160518/anglican-church-of-redeemer-to-host-bible-school

"Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and SAFE Coalition President James Derick will speak at the Franklin Odd Fellows Speaker's Forum Series Public Talk event "Substance Abuse in 'Our Community'" at 7 p.m. June 20 at the Dean College Campus Center's Atrium, 99 Main St. 

The event will include a discussion on opioid addiction, substance abuse, addiction, government response and healing."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160518/rep-jeffrey-roy-to-speak-at-substance-abuse-event

"Officials are holding a forum next week to hear comments about a proposed gas pipeline, which, if built, would pass through Upton. 

Members of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Planning Board, Green Community Committee and Conservation Commission will attend the discussion on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Main Hall at the Town Hall to discuss the proposed Access Northeast project."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160518/upton-holding-pipeline-forum

"to design a smart, flexible incentive program that will continue to help advance solar development in our state."

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Vacating a Superior Court judge's ruling, the SJC ruled that Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations do not fulfill the specific requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. 

The ruling requires the department to promulgate regulations "that address multiple sources of categories of sources of greenhouse gas emissions, impose a limit on emissions that may be released, limit the aggregate emissions released from each group of regulated sources or categories of sources, set emission limits for each year, and set limits that decline on an annual basis." 

"This is a historic day," Jenny Rushlow, the Conservation Law Foundation's lead attorney on the case, said in a statement. "Today our highest court declared clearly and unequivocally that our leaders can no longer sit on their hands while Massachusetts communities are put at risk from the effects of climate change. Thanks to this landmark decision, our role as a national leader in battling climate change has only been stalled but not sacrificed. Now, with action from DEP, we can get back on track and ensure that the health of our families and future generations is always a top priority."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160517/states-top-court-sides-with-environmentalists-in-suit-over-carbon-emissions

Lowell City Council endorses fixing the gas pipeline leaks

One of the key arguments of the anti-Spectra pipeline group is that if the gas companies fixed the leaks in the existing supply lines that would provide about 30% of the supply currently being 'lost'. 

"On Tuesday, the Lowell City Council passed a resolution in support of state legislation to address gas leaks! Gas leaks are costly for consumers and terrible for the climate: leaking gas pipelines emit methane, an extremely powerful greenhouse gas, directly into the atmosphere. 

Lowell's resolution is in support of H. 2870 and H. 2871, new pieces of state legislation that would help reduce gas leaks and ensure that consumers are not charged for leaking gas. Congrats to all the folks in 350 Mass Lowell who worked hard to make this resolution happen!"

Reference to the motion was also reported by Richard Howe

"Joint motion by Mayor Kennedy and Councilor Elliott to support resolution on bill pending in state legislature on natural gas leaks. Registered to speak is State Senator Jamie Eldridge who thanks the council for allowing him to speak. He wants to provide some context to this bill. Says Tom Golden is a strong advocate for this bill. Last session, the legislature took up the issue of the hundreds of thousands of gas leaks in Massachusetts, many of which occur in older cities like Lowell. 

This bill would require utilities to better document these leaks and to develop a plan to remedy them. Portions of the bill did not pass during the last legislative session so they are back again this year. This would also prohibit utilities from charging the cost of sealing these leaks back to their users. He appreciates the council’s consideration of this resolution and says the council’s passage of it would send a strong message to the rest of the legislature."

The full context of the Jan 5th Council meeting in Lowell can be found here
http://www.richardhowe.com/2016/01/05/lowell-city-council-meeting-january-5-2016/

-------------

From the Twitterverse!

Huge congrats to @350MALowell -- their gas leaks resolution just passed!

— 350Mass (@350Mass) January 6, 2016

Are there really gas leaks? Yup, and they can be found!

We found gas leaks all along the #westroxburylateralpipeline route today, including M&R stn. @davabel @universalhub pic.twitter.com/s1WMwb2gxt

— Nathan Phillips (@nathanpboston) January 4, 2016

leaks along the west roxbury lateral pipeline

The presentation to the Franklin Town Council on Jan 6 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-presentation-on-spectra.html

Did you sign the "No Spectra" petition?

The Greater Franklin Node 350 Mass is only 128 signatures from reaching 500. Would you reattach the No Spectra pipeline petition link onto Franklin Matters again? 

I have 17 lawn signs up in Franklin and I have 50 more that will be up between now and spring. Our website is Nospectrama.org

No Spectra sign in Franklin

The petition link is
https://www.change.org/p/jeffrey-roy-karen-spilka-richard-ross-stop-the-spectra-energy-pipeline-from-going-through-franklin-ma-we-don-t-need-or-want-it

Climate Movement Weekly Update: Attorney General Says No New Pipelines Needed!

Check out the latest news from the Massachusetts climate movement! View this email in your browser Dear friends, For years, many of us have been saying that the new gas pipelines proposed all over the Northeast are unnecessary and will make it impossible for us to meet our climate goals. On Wednesday, a study commissioned by Attorney General Maura Healey vindicated that point of view. New pipelines are a great deal for fossil fuel companies that want to make money exporting gas overseas. But they're a terrible idea for Massachusetts. Our state is already more than 60% dependent on gas for electricity, and we should be moving as quickly as possible towards wind, solar and other renewables -- not building new fossil fuel infrastructure. Now, it's up to us to make sure everyone knows about the Attorney General's study. Read it here, and spread the word! Emily  New Study Commissioned by Attorney General Healey Shows New Pipelines Not Needed    On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey, released a long-anticipated study showing that new gas pipelines are not needed in Massachusetts. The study demolishes the arguments of pipeline opponents, showing that we can meet our needs with energy efficiency and renewables at a fraction of the cost of massive new pipelines. You can check out a great infographic about the study here, and read the whole thing here!  Rally for Jobs, Justice and Climate on December 12 This December, UN delegates will meet again in Paris for yet another round of talks. We already know that even if the delegates finally reach an agreement, it won't be strong enough to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. No matter what happens in Paris, we know what we need: real climate solutions that create secure union jobs and strengthen community power and resiliency. It's up to us to lead the way -- and we're starting right here in New England with a massive rally on December 12, the day after the Paris talks end. We'll lift up the voices of New England's organized labor, immigrant rights, racial justice, and climate justice groups as we call for jobs, justice and climate action together. RSVP and get all the details here!

The email newsletter was truncated for sharing here. To review the complete newsletter follow this link --> View this email in your browser

  

Attorney General says "electric ratepayers shouldn’t foot the bill for additional pipelines"

Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that a study commissioned by her office has determined that the region is unlikely to face electric reliability issues in the next 15 years and additional energy needs can be met more cheaply and cleanly through energy efficiency and demand response. 

The study was designed to, first, determine whether the region is facing electric reliability challenges through 2030 and, second, identify the most cost-effective and clean solutions for addressing any of those challenges. 

“As we make long-term decisions about our energy future, it’s imperative we have the facts,” said AG Healey. “This study demonstrates that we do not need increased gas capacity to meet electric reliability needs, and that electric ratepayers shouldn’t foot the bill for additional pipelines. This study demonstrates that a much more cost-effective solution is to embrace energy efficiency and demand response programs that protect ratepayers and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

image from Attorney General webpage

Additional info on the Attorney General study can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2015/2015-11-18-electric-reliability-study.html

"10 miles of pipeline through towns like Franklin"

Fox25 does a piece on the recent efforts to mobilize against the Spectra Energy project to expand the gas pipeline through Franklin.

"The pipeline is still in a preliminary phase and if everything goes as planned, construction wouldn't be complete until 2017. Spectra Energy is looking for federal permission to add 10 miles of pipeline through towns like Franklin and Millis. Residents say they want to know what's in store for them before construction begins."

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

a sign truck parked outside the Keller School at the information session here on March

Related posts

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/concerns-with-spectra-atlantic-bridge.html

What is the story about a pipeline coming through Franklin?

Come to the Helen Keller Elementary School Monday night to find out.

Spectra Energy is holding a series of Open House events to share information and gather feedback on the proposed Atlantic Bridge pipeline.

March 16, 2015 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Helen Keller Elementary School Cafeteria 500 Lincoln Street Franklin, MA 02038

You can find information about the pipeline project here
http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects-and-Our-Process/New-Projects-in-US/Atlantic-Bridge/

screen grab of Atlantic Bridge project webpage

The PDF of the Atlantic Bridge map can be viewed here (7 MB file size)
http://www.spectraenergy.com/content/documents/Projects/AtlanticBridge-map-12-18-14.pdf


WBUR did a piece on the overall supply situation and alternatives
http://www.wbur.org/2015/03/11/natural-gas-lng-everett-terminal

Governor Baker wants us to pay for the construction of the pipeline through our electricity bills?  

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/02/25/baker-calls-for-input-paying-for-gas-pipeline-through-electricity-bills/uArnaaoQsd5Vf4QQfJvz2M/story.html

No Fracked Gas in MA   http://www.nofrackedgasinmass.org/norfolk-county/

Earth Hour: Sat 3/31/12 beginning at 8:30 PM

This Saturday evening turn off the non-essentials lights for an hour. Join with millions around the world in Earth Hour!




For more on Earth Hour visit the US website here  http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html

Franklin Democratic Town Committee: Clean Air presentation

FRANKLIN DEMOCRATS TO TACKLE CLEAN ENERGY

The wild weather patterns of the last several months will provide a unique backdrop for a presentation on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Plan in Franklin. When the Franklin Democratic Town Committee meets on Monday, September 12 at 7 pm, local physicist Ted McIntyre will give a presentation on the plan which was launched in December 2010. The Franklin Committee welcomes anyone who is interested in this topic to attend the meeting.  

The 136-page Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 contains a "portfolio" of established and new measures that reduce energy waste, save money, and stimulate the adoption of clean energy technologies, thereby creating jobs at the same time that they reduce GHG emissions. It is estimated that 42,000 to 48,000 jobs would result from full implementation of the plan in 2020, both jobs that fill every niche in the clean energy supply chain – electricians, installers, researchers, architects, manufacturers, plumbers, energy auditors, technicians, and scientists – and jobs throughout the economy as lower fossil-fuel energy expenses lead to more spending on in-state goods and services. 

"There are many excellent reasons to support the plan, but here is one jaw-dropping reason to back it: $22 billion dollars," noted McIntyre.  "That is how much money leaves Massachusetts each year to pay for the coal, natural gas and petroleum we use." 

McIntyre is the President of the Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and presents frequently on the topic.  In addition to his work with MCAN, McIntyre helped establish the Franklin Area Climate Team. As a physicist, McIntyre is currently working to develop advanced equipment for use in the manufacture of computer chips. He holds seven patents and has authored more than twenty technical publications.  

The clean energy plan "lays out an ambitious but practical framework to continue – and accelerate – the Commonwealth's transition to clean energy," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs-designate Rick Sullivan. "I look forward to maintaining this momentum as our state distinguishes itself as the national leader on clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions." 

The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), signed by Governor Deval Patrick in August 2008, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, and requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to set a legally enforceable GHG emissions limit for 2020 of between 10 percent and 25 percent below 1990 levels by January 1, 2011, and to issue a plan for achieving those reductions while growing the clean energy economy. 

"Massachusetts has already taken great strides in energy innovation, sparking a clean energy revolution in the Commonwealth and getting us two-thirds of the way toward 25 percent lower emissions by 2020," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. "I am confident we will meet the 25 percent limit I set today with a portfolio of policies that build on reforms made to date, launch practical new initiatives on a pilot basis, and generate cost savings and jobs." 

In other business, the Franklin Democrats will continue reaching out to Franklin residents who are interested in running for one of the 35 positions on the town committee next March.  Nomination papers will be available for signing at the September 12 meeting.  The committee will also discuss the upcoming Senate race in Massachusetts and the current slate of candidates who are poised to take on Scott Brown in 2012. 

The Franklin committee normally meets on the second Monday of the month in the training room on the third floor of the Franklin Municipal Building. For more information on the Democratic Party or any of their meetings, please contact Jeffrey Roy at jroy@ravechroy.com or check out the FDTC website at www.franklindemocrats.com. 

To learn more about the Clean Air plan, go to http://www.mass.gov/green/cleanenergyclimateplan or http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/.

American consumers ... a 'eureka' moment!

Director of the New America Foundation Energy Policy Initiative, Lisa Margonelli writes about the global culture and economy of energy in this TEDx talk:

So the thing about water oil spills is that they are very politically galvanizing. I mean, these pictures -- this is from the Santa Barbara spill. You have these pictures of birds. They really influence people. When the Santa Barbara spill happened in 1969, it formed the environmental movement in its modern form. It started Earth Day. It also put in place the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. Everything that we are really stemmed from this period. I think it's important to kind of look at these pictures of the birds and understand what happens to us. He we are normally; we're standing at the gas pump, and we're feeling kind of helpless. We look at these pictures, and we understand, for the first time, our role in this supply chain. We connect the dots in the supply chain. And we have this kind of -- as voters, we have kind of a "eureka!" moment. This is why these moments of these oil spills are so important. But it's also really important that we don't get distracted by the theater or the morals of it. We actually need to go in and work on the roots of the problem.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.

Franklin, MA

NEED - National Energy Education Development

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

NEED - National Energy Education Development

via Free Technology for Teachers by rbyrnetech@hotmail.com (Mr. Byrne) on 3/11/09

The NEED Project is an educational program designed to teach students about energy consumption, energy sources, and the energy industry in general. NEED provides curriculum and lesson plans for teachers in all grades form elementary school through high school. The educators section of NEED makes all of their lessons with require materials available as PDF files.

The student section of NEED offers students science fair project ideas, games, and puzzles.

Applications for Education
NEED provides a wide range of activities for students in all grades to learn about the science of energy consumption and energy sources.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Free Technology for Teachers using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites