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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Register Now! The Transmission Challenge: Unleashing New England's Renewable Energy Potential featuring Sen. Markey
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Renewable Communities 2022 report and resources
We also want to give a special thank you to our panel speakers: Eric Burkman, Lori Timmermann, Brendan Linard, and Kate England. We really appreciate them taking the time to attend today's event and speak about the important initiatives that are taking place in their communities.
Below are some additional resources for municipal action on clean energy and climate change:
Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN): Municipal light plants
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and other regional planning agencies: Planning, technical assistance, procurement
Green Energy Consumers Alliance: Community Choice Energy
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC): Solarize-HeatSmart toolkit, grant programs
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER): Green Communities program
You can also find the speaker presentations at this link if you would like to learn more about their programs or get in contact with the speaker for further information.
Speaker presentations -> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Hau-pIn-unyhU5LsKTfgRgAkw61IL2g6
Full report on Renewable Communities -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/14n8SGw5dr99t9zC17LsQ50o7FPHD6cKC/view?usp=sharing
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Renewable Communities 2022 report and resources |
Sunday, August 7, 2022
sign up for the Environment MA release of "Renewable Communities 2022" webinar on Aug 10
Via Environment MA (https://twitter.com/EnvironmentMA)
"Across Massachusetts, cities and towns are leading the way to a future powered by clean energy. Our new report shows how.
Join us for the release of Renewable Communities 2022 next Wednesday at 11 AM:"
Friday, July 1, 2022
MA Attorney General asks DPU to dismiss request for 'renewable' natural gas
Via Priya (https://twitter.com/priyainmass) who is a clean energy attorney @CLF Massachusetts, we share the following Twitter thread:
"Good news: @MassAGO has asked the Department of Public Utilities to
dismiss Liberty Gas’ request for approval to receive so-called “renewable” natural gas (aka biomethane, yet another
dangerous, polluting fuel) for the next 20 years. A thread: 1/6 #MAPoli
Right
now, the DPU is considering what the role of gas companies will be in our clean energy
future, which requires utility companies to present plans for their energy supply. (Spoiler: an ideal plan doesn’t include
any climate-damaging, polluting fuels: just clean
energy). 2/6
Much to no one’s surprise, utility companies presented plans that were fancy pretenses for business as usual.
Liberty Gas was one of these companies, and like others,
its plan relied heavily on using biomethane in its
fuel mix. 3/6
According to @MassAGO, the DPU can’t
approve Liberty’s request
while it’s still investigating the “future of gas” And, by requesting DPU’s approval WHILE the investigation
is happening, Liberty
is trying to bypass thorough
review of biomethane’s impacts. 4/6
We agree with the AG. Reality check: Biomethane used for home heating still pollutes our climate while clogging
and dirtying our air. This isn’t a climate solution,
this is a cover for maintaining the status quo. 5/6
Now, we wait to see what the DPU will do. Utility
companies’ claims, especially regarding biomethane, are highly
doubtful. And it won’t help MA reach
our climate goals – which,
at this point, is a matter of our lives. Stay tuned for what the department decides.
6/6"
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Franklin TV: Renewal – Everywhere!
Through all of last week Primavera, that first hint of greening has been living up to expectations. Trees and bushes have been waking and doing their Spring thing. Another week or two, and Winter will be a memory.
Other forms of renewal have taken place. Our radio station, wfpr●fm filed for and received its FCC broadcast license renewal for 8 years. While we expected no less, it’s a nice nod to know that we are in good standing. Radio station license renewal actually requires about 5 months of FCC filings and posted legal notifications.
For us, these renewals mean business as usual. All good.
All of these renewals – Spring greening, our licensing and so on, are underscored with optimism as we slowly, cautiously begin to regard covid19 in the past tense. 19! Now 4 months into 22, was it really that long ago?
During all this Spring greening we should all undertake some Spring cleaning. Not just the usual tidying up of homes and workplaces, but a renewal of our personal outlook on life. The lingering after-effects of COVID on the supply chain and our economy are an ongoing inconvenience, and maintaining a positive outlook takes a bit of mental discipline. All in all, life is pretty good across our fair zip code.
That said, considering the renewed horrors of war in Ukraine, we need a renewed commitment to peace – through strength and some necessary sacrifice. The cost of war will touch us all, but not so deeply and dearly as it does the people of Ukraine. Moving beyond our lingering local fatigue over COVID, masking, our economy, we can renew our resolve to make a better world by asking the simplest question.
“What can I do, great or small, to help?”
Freedom is not free. There is a renewal cost – to enjoy business as usual.
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
Saturday, March 12, 2022
"‘Defining moment’: how can the US end its dependency on fossil fuels?"
"Environmental groups and progressive Democrats are aiming to build upon the backlash to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by ending the era of fossil fuel dependency and help address the unfolding climate crisis.“This moment is a clarion call for the urgent need to transition to domestic clean energy so that we are never again complicit in fossil-fueled conflict,” said Ed Markey, the Democratic senator who helped devise the Green New Deal platform.The climate measures in Biden’s moribund Build Back Better legislation may now be resurrected, Democrats hope, with several of the party’s senators unveiling a flurry of bills to ensure renewable energy replaces the banned Russian oil imports and to tax oil companies enjoying a financial bonanza from oil prices that have soared due to the crisis in Ukraine.Green groups want Biden to go even further."
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‘There’s a war with a fossil fuel oligarch and we are in a climate war, so we need to attack this on a wartime footing.’ Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA |
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Report: "Massachusetts Cities and Towns Leading the Way to 100% Renewable Energy"
"Cities and towns are taking ambitious steps to increase renewable electricity generation, reduce energy use, and shift to clean heating technologies, according to a new report from the Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center.
“The best ideas for clean energy often start at the local level,” said Ben Hellerstein, state director for the center. “If we want to have cleaner air, healthier communities, and a safer future for our children, we need to move rapidly toward 100% renewable energy from sources like the sun and the wind. These communities are showing how to make it happen.”
The report, Renewable Communities 2021, features the following seven case studies of Massachusetts cities, towns and regional agencies that are leading the way to 100% renewable energy. "
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Report: "Massachusetts Cities and Towns Leading the Way to 100% Renewable Energy" |
Saturday, June 5, 2021
"the aggregation rate is often lower than the utility rate"
"AROUND THE WORLD, in the White House, and at our State House, leaders are finally beginning to respond to the climate challenge. Here in Massachusetts, we can take pride in bold new legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions. And the nation’s first large-scale off-shore wind project, Vineyard Wind, has been given the go ahead by the federal government. Those are exciting developments, but there’s something happening at the local level that deserves our attention as well.
In Massachusetts, cities and towns are increasingly taking advantage of a process known as green municipal aggregation or community choice electricity, which allows municipalities to purchase electricity directly from suppliers (rather than relying on the utilities to do it for us). Through aggregation, communities can offer options that include more wind and solar than required by state law at affordable rates. Today about 50 cities and towns in Massachusetts have done so and dozens more are at various stages of the approval process. Communities that have been doing this for some time keep renewing and usually add more renewable energy as time goes on."
Friday, March 19, 2021
"Oil firms knew decades ago fossil fuels posed grave health risks, files reveal"
"The oil industry knew at least 50 years ago that air pollution from burning fossil fuels posed serious risks to human health, only to spend decades aggressively lobbying against clean air regulations, a trove of internal documents seen by the Guardian reveal.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The documents, which include internal memos and reports, show the industry was long aware that it created large amounts of air pollution, that pollutants could lodge deep in the lungs and be “real villains in health effects”, and even that its own workers may be experiencing birth defects among their children.
But these concerns did little to stop oil and gas companies, and their proxies, spreading doubt about the growing body of science linking the burning of fossil fuels to an array of health problems that kill millions of people around the world each year. Echoing the fossil-fuel industry’s history of undermining of climate science, oil and gas interests released a torrent of material aimed at raising uncertainty over the harm caused by air pollution and used this to deter US lawmakers from placing further limits on pollutants."
Monday, August 3, 2020
FM #320 Town Council - PACE Program - 7/29/20 (audio)
This session shares a key segment of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Chair Tom Mercer opened the meeting on schedule. The agenda eventually gets to the second item for presentation, the PACE Program. Wendy Lee O’Malley, Vice-President of MassDevelopment provides the overview of this newly released program. This is an opportunity for business and nonprofit property owners to get advantageous financing for energy improvements.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the individual documents referenced.
This meeting segment runs just about 21 minutes, so let’s listen to the presentation and discussion on the PACE Program.
Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXv4XmdK
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Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-july-29.html
PACE Program doc and presentation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._pace_program_presentation_-_massdevelopment.pdf
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/town-council-recap-reluctantly-approves.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
- If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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FM #320 Town Council - PACE Program - 7/29/20 (audio) |
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Proposal on Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Massachusetts for Franklin
FROM: Bryan W. Taberner, AICP, Director
RE: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Massachusetts
CC: Mark G. Cerel, Town Attorney; Christopher Sandini, Finance Director; Kerri Bertone, Collector/Treasurer; Kevin W. Doyle, Director Of Assessing; Amy Love, Town Planner; Chrissy Whelton, Assistant To The Town Administrator
DATE: JULY 14, 2020
As you know on April 10, 2020 representatives from the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment) met with Town of Franklin staff to introduce the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Massachusetts program, and discuss potential benefits to property owners, and requirements of the Town.
PACE is a tax based financing mechanism that enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy improvements, such as energy-efficiency projects and renewable systems, on existing Commercial and Industrial properties in Massachusetts. To finance the improvements, a property owner agrees to a betterment assessment on their property, enabling property owners to undertake more comprehensive energy upgrades with longer payback periods (up to 20 years). At property sale the lien stays with the property and is transferred to subsequent property owners.
MassDevelopment’s PACE Program Manager Wendy Lee O’Malley will be attending the July 22nd Town Council Meeting remotely to outline the PACE program and its benefits, and answer questions. MassDevelopment acts as the Lead Program Administrator for PACE Massachusetts. In order for the community to participate in PACE Massachusetts it must opt-in through passage of a Town Council Resolution.
Attached for review and consideration is Resolution 20-42, a two page PACE Massachusetts flyer, a short presentation, and a couple examples of PACE projects in other communities.
PACE is an economic development tool for Massachusetts communities that help to create a more competitive environment for attracting and retaining businesses through lower energy costs. DPCD highly recommends the Town participate in this new economic development incentive program. I look forward to discussing PACE at the July 22nd Town Council meeting.
The memo and associated documents can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._pace_program_presentation_-_massdevelopment.pdf
The full agenda and documents released for the Town Council meeting July 22, 2020 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/july-22-town-council-meeting
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Proposal on Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Massachusetts for Franklin |
Monday, August 6, 2018
Advocates share agenda for 100% renewable energy as election season heats up
The 100% Renewable Energy Agenda, developed by the Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center, includes more than 30 policies that the winner of this fall’s gubernatorial election can implement to reduce energy consumption and rapidly repower all sectors of the economy with clean energy.
“For decades, the Commonwealth has led the nation in preserving the environment, protecting public health, and reducing global warming pollution,” said Ben Hellerstein, State Director for the Environment Massachusetts Research and Policy Center. “Now more than ever, Massachusetts must lead the way. With support from our state’s top leaders, we can power our homes, our businesses, and our transportation system with clean, renewable energy.”
Advocates described how Massachusetts’ solar and wind resources, combined with emerging technologies like electric vehicles, air source heat pumps, and battery storage, will enable us to meet our energy needs with clean, renewable power at all times of the day and night.
After discussing the recommendations in the 100% Renewable Energy Agenda, local leaders discussed the ways that clean energy is supported at the local level, and what more needs to be done.
“Franklin has done a lot to ensure that our town exemplifies what a Green Community should be,” said former city councilor, and renewable energy advocate, Brett Feldman. “Our electricity load for our municipal and school buildings is 95 percent covered by our town solar farm on the Mount St. Mary’s Abbey. On top of that, we have upgraded all of our buildings to maximum efficiency, and by the end of the year will convert of our town lights to LED. We are doing all we can, and we want the state to be able to say the same.”
Speakers also pointed to the urgent need for action before the end of the legislative session.
In June, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that would eliminate caps on solar net metering and increase renewable energy to 50 percent of Massachusetts’ electricity consumption by 2030 and 100 percent by 2047. The House has passed a bill for 35 percent renewable electricity by 2030. Legislators must reach an agreement before July 31, or start from scratch next year.
A report by the Applied Economics Clinic found that increasing the renewable portfolio standard by 3 percent per year, along with other clean energy policies, would result in 600,000 fewer metric tons of greenhouse gases per year by 2030 (equivalent to taking 128,000 cars off the road) at little to no additional cost to the public.
Since 2007, Massachusetts has seen a 246-fold increase in the amount of electricity it gets from the sun. Wind energy generation in Massachusetts is set to increase dramatically in the coming years, with a commitment to install 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind capacity.
Massachusetts’ offshore wind potential is equivalent to more than 19 times the state’s annual electricity consumption. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, rooftop solar installations alone could provide 47 percent of Massachusetts’ electricity.
“Even beyond rooftop solar, community solar projects, like the one we installed in Holliston, expand the possibility of who can benefit from the solar boom,” said Jeff Lord, senior Vice President of Project Development at the Clean Energy Collective. “ There are dozens of community solar projects in the Commonwealth, including one in nearby Holliston, but many more are needed if we’re to truly provide equal access to the benefits of renewable energy to all of our states homes, businesses, towns, and organizations.”
Last week, 16 academics, researchers, and clean energy industry leaders sent a letter to state officials affirming that “there are no insurmountable technological or economic barriers to achieving 100 percent renewable energy.”
“Now is the time for us to go big on clean energy,” said Hellerstein. “Come January, we’re ready to work with whoever occupies the corner office on Beacon Hill to help Massachusetts go 100 percent renewable.”
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The Environment Massachusetts Research and Policy Center is dedicated to protecting Massachusetts’ air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help Bay Staters make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives.
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Advocates share agenda for 100% renewable energy |
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Changes to MassCEC's Woodstove Changeout and Air-Source Heat Pump Programs
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