Now that the Climate bill was signed, what's next? State Rep Jeff Roy joins Ted & I to answer that question and more (audio)

FM #859 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 859 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, October 3, 2022.  

We are joined by our special guest, MA State Representative Jeff Roy. The last time Jeff was with us (August) we were all waiting for the governor to take action on the recent climate legislation. It had worked its way through the MA House & Senate, the Conference Committee, back through both the MA House & Senate and sat on Governor Baker’s desk until he did sign it.

In this episode our conversation covered the following topics: 

• legislation passed, signed, now what's next

• electric rate, municipal aggregation, home electricity monitoring

• Site visits; White House, Schneider Electric, Andover; Millstone Nuclear Plant in CT

• MassSave options

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 53 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and State Rep Jeff Roy.

Audio file ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-858-ma-state-representative-jeff-roy-10-04-22

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Mass Save to sign up for an energy audit -> https://www.masssave.com/ 

White House visit -  https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1570067557687738370 

Millstone Nuclear plant visit ->https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1576180037132292096   

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, October 6, 7:00 PM

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be on Zoom, this Thursday, October 6, 7:00-9:00 pm. 

Zoom link for the meeting, Thursday, October 6, 7:00-9:00 pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

We welcome you to the meeting, whether you have participated in the past or not. Join our discussion of climate and energy developments locally, across the state, and nationally. Learn about planned advocacy and protest actions organized by 350 Mass and other groups. Help to plan for events in our Greater Franklin region.

One upcoming 350 Mass action will be a protest at Chase Bank, Downtown Crossing, Boston, on Saturday, October 15, 1:00 pm.  Chase is the #1 Worst Bank in the World for funding the fossil fuel industry, and hence the climate crisis. We're part of a national campaign letting Chase know– THIS IS NOT OK! RSVP here. Learn more about the national Stop The Money Pipeline campaign here.

If you have items you would like to add to the agenda, please reply to our Node Co-coordinators, Carolyn Barthel (carolyncbarthel@gmail.com) and Ralph Halpern (ralph.halpern@comcast.net). 

We will send a reminder on Thursday. 

Thank you.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, October 6, 7:00 PM

Beyond Mobility, the Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan schedules a virtual public meeting for Oct 20 at 6 PM

Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) tweeted Mon, Oct 03, 2022:

How should #Massachusetts invest in transportation in the future? 

Join #BeyondMobilityMA, the statewide 2050 transportation plan, for a virtual public meeting on 10/20, at 6 PM to learn more.

More info and to register visit: https://t.co/vV7lghP0js   or  https://www.mass.gov/beyond-mobility

"Beyond Mobility, the Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan, is a planning process that will result in a blueprint for guiding transportation decision-making and investments in Massachusetts in a way that advances MassDOT’s goals and maximizes the equity and resiliency of the transportation system. 

Your input is needed to help develop this vision. The process for developing Beyond Mobility is underway." 

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassDOT/status/1576980555383595009

GATRA, electrifying the MBTA, bringing the double track to Franklin, improving the handicap access to the Franklin/Dean station; all of these topics should be part of this planning process. Oh, and 2050 is the key as this is part of the climate roadmap.  For more about the climate roadmap, check out the podcast series on "Making Sense of Climate" 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

Beyond Mobility, the Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan schedules a virtual public meeting  for Oct 20 at 6 PM

Making Sense of Climate #16 - from municipal aggregation to zoning changes (audio)

FM #855 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 855 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Tuesday, Sep 27, 2022.  

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

Topics covered this time

Electric rate increases

DPU process, Inequity around New England, ISO New England

Municipal aggregation for Franklin shields us

Machin and side deal

FERC role mentioned for aiding in interstate transmission role

Ezra Klien podcast with Jesse Kenkins

Scope of work required

Heat pump explanation

Affordable housing, zoning for residential & commercial neighborhoods

 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 48 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-855-making-sense-of-climate-16-09-27-22

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

Jesse Jenkins https://netzeroamerica.princeton.edu/   and https://repeatproject.org/

Podcast link

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS84MkZJMzVQeA/episode/NzEwY2Y1NTMtMGFjYS00YmI0LTg3YWUtMGUxYjAxNjk2Zjgw?ep=14 

There is a great section on heat pumps as well as an explanation on the side effect of reducing premature deaths due to improved air quality

Other climate podcast referral -> https://www.volts.wtf/p/welcome-to-volts

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, September 1, 7:00 PM

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be on Zoom, this Thursday, September 1, 7:00-9:00 PM. 

Zoom link for the meeting, Thursday, September 1, 7:00-9:00 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

As September arrives, the news is full of climate-related tragedies and warnings, even as we celebrate legislative progress and technological advances to address the crisis.  We invite you to become involved, to learn about opportunities for change, and to take action. Our Greater Franklin Node meetings offer updates on major developments--globally, nationally, regionally, and locally--along with information on campaigns and advocacy, and discussion and planning of activities that we can undertake in our own communities and throughout the region. Please consider joining us.

Remember that you can stay involved and receive updates from 350 Mass via the Climate Weekly email. Sign up here -> https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/sign_up_for_updates

Learn more on the 350 Mass website -> https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/

We hope you can join us Thursday at 7:00 pm. We'll send a reminder on Thursday. We continue to meet on Zoom, the first and third Thursdays of every month. 

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle for a transition to a just, equitable, and clean energy economy.

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c)

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, September 1, 7:00 PM

Dan Rather: A BFD

But Republicans fail the future (and the present)  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

	Open in browser A BFD But Republicans fail the future (and the present) Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner Aug 17 President Joe Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act at the White House on August 16, 2022. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) President Joe Biden has signed into law a bill that is, to quote former President Barack Obama, a "BFD." In other words, a "big deal" with a colorful adjective sandwiched in between for emphasis. It was Obama's way of paying homage to Biden's whispered comment (caught on mic) from back in 2010 with the passage of the Affordable Care Act.   With apologies to decorum, Obama's summation is warranted.  The bill is called the Inflation Reduction Act, which most economists think is an accurate description. Inflation reduction is a worthy goal, but what is even more noteworthy — rising to the level of historic — is how the legislation intends to accomplish that feat. It is a compendium of long-desired action on the part of Democrats around health care costs, taxes, and climate change (representing the most ambitious climate measures ever enacted by Congress).  The details are varied and have been covered admirably in other publications. Were they everything that most Democrats sought? No. But they were significant. Once again, a BFD.  For the sake of this column, however, let us focus less on the policy than on the politics, and specifically the fact that this bill squeaked through on a purely party-line vote. All Democrats in the House and Senate voted "yea." All Republicans who voted (four representatives did not) voted "nay." All of them.  Perhaps we have become inured to this unblinking partisanship. Chalk it up to cynicism, to pure party politics, to the zero-sum game that seems to rule Washington, particularly from Republicans when Democrats are in the majority. Obstruct. Delay. Obfuscate. That is the playbook. But while extreme partisanship might explain the actions, it certainly does not excuse them. This bill aimed to tackle tough challenges, particularly climate change. And on this issue in particular the politics of our time should not be measured in some temporal tally of wins and losses for congressional seats; this is about wins and losses for the habitability of our planet.  This isn't about four-year election cycles. It is about epochs measured in millennia.  Those are the stakes. And on this score, most prominent Republican elected officials seem eager to deny reality. And the few who don't fall into that camp are apparently satisfied with doing nothing.  There may not be a more serious yardstick by which to measure our political era than this failure. As we have often cautioned here, the future of American democracy is at risk these days. But, let us be clear, so is the future of planet Earth. Perhaps even more so.  Dan Rather @DanRather Of all of our political divides, the fact that one party votes unanimously to address the climate crisis and one votes unanimously to do nothing might be the most jaw dropping for future generations (as it is to many who are here right now). August 13th 2022 22,917 Retweets125,134 Likes When I tweeted the above, I expected to get a decent response; I never expected this level of engagement, but it makes sense. Unlike the politicians, according to polls, most Americans understand the peril and want action. In this upside-down reality, questions emerge that demand answers and accountability:  How can a politician who doesn't take climate change seriously be taken seriously?  How can someone who fails to protect our nation from the increasing threat of natural disasters be considered a voice to heed on national security? How can someone who denies this reality be considered a credible judge of the truth? This is not a debate about policy. "How should we tackle this existential threat?" is a legitimate question on which fair minds can disagree. Should it be tax cuts for business or government regulation? Or both? A carbon tax or subsidies for new technologies? Is nuclear energy a viable option? Should we invest more in electric cars or public transportation? Let's have a vigorous debate. Go at it. There is no monopoly on wisdom. And the country needs a strong two-party system, with a Congress of conscience on both sides of the aisle, to have such debates.  But debate whether we should do ANYTHING??? Really???? (Perhaps from the all caps and the number of question marks you can sense my feelings.) This bill was a major step forward on addressing climate change. It's not nearly enough. But it is something. A lot. A BFD. So say the scientists. It's a foundation upon which to build.  But it was also a test of the seriousness of the Republican Party on the most serious of issues. It is a test they failed. All of them in Congress.  That is not political spin. It's the truth. Just ask Mother Earth. She's screaming out for all to hear. Maybe at some point the politicians who refuse to listen to her pleas will be forced to answer why, and not be taken seriously until they can answer in accordance with reality.  Subscribe now Leave a comment Share Steady Thanks for subscribing to Steady. This post is public, so please feel free to share it. Share © 2022 Dan Rather 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, August 18, 7:00 PM

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, August 18, 7:00 PM

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be on Zoom, this Thursday, August 18, 7:00-9:00 pm. (We schedule two hours to leave time for discussion and conversation, but we understand if you need to sign off early.)

Zoom link for the meeting, August 18, 7:00-9:00 pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09
Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

During the meeting, our agenda will include an update on the outcome of climate bills in the state legislature, actions to promote national and regional changes, and local developments.

Regarding the successful campaign to pass our state's climate bill, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, please read the statement by 350 Mass Political Director Cabell Eames.  

Remember that you can stay involved and receive updates from 350 Mass via the Climate Weekly email. Sign up here.
Learn more on the 350 Mass website.

We hope you can join us Thursday at 7:00 pm. We'll send a reminder on Thursday.

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle for a transition to a just, equitable, and clean energy economy.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)

Boston Globe: "Baker signs major climate bill into law"

"Gov. Charlie Baker signed a major climate bill into law on Thursday that will accelerate the development of clean energy in the state, boosting offshore wind and solar, and—in a first for Massachusetts—allowing some cities and towns to ban the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and major renovations.

Baker’s approval comes after weeks of speculation that he might veto the bill, and just days after he said he particularly disapproved of the fossil fuel ban because of his concern it could make it harder to construct affordable housing.

Ultimately, though, he said the bill’s changes to the offshore wind procurement process and its advances in clean energy were important enough to secure his signature.

“I continue to want us to be a pretty big player in that space,” Baker said in an interview with the Globe, “because it’s a sustainable way to create a lot of jobs, for a very long time.”

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/11/science/baker-signs-major-climate-bill-into-law/ 

All the Legislation signed by Gov Baker on Thursday, August 11, 2022

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14lepcQcFsepUWmT-ZPBgJPljkRZkAd_U/view?usp=sharing

Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and State Rep Jeff Roy. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-835-making-sense-of-climate-14-08-04-22

The climate legislation discussed as amended and returned to the Governor for action https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/massachusetts-legislature-passes-major.html

State Rep Jeff Roy’s remarks on the MA House of Representatives floor in favor of the legislation and quoting Governor Baker on compromise (from the Governor’s recent book).

https://youtu.be/PB-CRp7ooCg

Governor Baker’s book -> https://www.amazon.com/Results-Getting-Beyond-Politics-Important/dp/1647821800

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker during a morning press-conference. JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF

Why you need to call Governor Baker! Making Sense of Climate with State Rep Jeff Roy (audio)

FM #835 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 835 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, August 4, 2022.  

We talked with our special guest, MA State Representative Jeff Roy. Jeff represents Franklin and Medway and chairs the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy which marshaled the recent climate legislation through the MA House & Senate, the Conference Committee, back through both the MA House & Senate and sits on Governor Baker’s desk.

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 50 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and State Rep Jeff Roy. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-835-making-sense-of-climate-14-08-04-22

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

The climate legislation discussed as amended and returned to the Governor for action https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/massachusetts-legislature-passes-major.html

State Rep Jeff Roy’s remarks on the MA House of Representatives floor in favor of the legislation and quoting Governor Baker on compromise (from the Governor’s recent book).

https://youtu.be/PB-CRp7ooCg

Governor Baker’s book -> https://www.amazon.com/Results-Getting-Beyond-Politics-Important/dp/1647821800

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

MA State Representative Jeff Roy