The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will meet this Thursday, November 2nd, at 7:00 pm. This will be a Zoom-only meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09
Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923
We will use the meeting to discuss progress and activities related to the 350 Mass Campaigns, and local actions and opportunities. 
There are some upcoming events that we've been announcing. Here they are again:
Campaign: the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund (ZCRF). The ZCRF is a bold proposal to allocate $300 million from the Massachusetts State Legislature for a Fund to jumpstart the market for zero carbon renovations in existing buildings in Massachusetts. Renovations supported by the ZCRF will include improvements and renovations that are aligned with a zero carbon future and incorporates one or more of the following: (1) maximizing energy efficiency through building envelope upgrades; (2) electrification of building systems; (3) maximizing usage of on-site renewable energy, wherever possible; and (4) consideration of building retrofit materials that are low embodied carbon. The ZCRF will prioritize affordable housing, public housing, low- and moderate-income homes, schools, BIPOC and women businesses, and buildings located in Environmental Justice communities.
Hearing and Testimony: The Legislature's Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy will hold a hearing on an Act to establish the ZCRF, H.3232, on Tuesday October 31, starting at 10 AM. The public can advocate for the legislation through written, virtual or in-person testimonies. The toolkit describes the logistics of the hearings, key messages of the ZCRF, structure of comments, recommendations, and social media advocacy. Please consider submitting oral or written testimony. See also the notice on 350 Mass' website.
Carolyn Barthel, our Node coordinator, will testify at the hearing. She will discuss it at our meeting on Thursday.
Action: Take Back Our Energy Grid. ISO (independent system operator)-New England is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for keeping electricity flowing across the six New England states. The goal statements include the transition to clean energy, but ISO-NE is too heavily influenced by the fossil fuel industry. The Board of Directors will hold their annual open Board meeting in Boston's Seaport Hotel on November 1.
350 Mass's Climate Courage, Fix the Grid, and Third Act are inviting you to participate in a lively street action that will send a clear message to ISO-NE, the press, the governor, and the people of this region. Join us at noon, November 1, at the nearby South Boston Maritime Park for the rally, speakers, music, and "street theater." (This is not a civil disobedience event, no arrests, just fun.) Information and registration here.
Town of Mendon - Electricity Aggregation. Municipal aggregation is the process by which a municipality purchases electricity in bulk from a competitive supplier on behalf of the residents and businesses within the community. While it is common throughout the state, some cities and towns are still working to implement it. Mendon's Select Board has it on its agenda for this Wednesday, November 1. Carolyn Barthel, Mendon resident, will speak at the meeting. She will tell us about it at our Node meeting.
We hope you can join us on Thursday.
Our next Node meeting will be on the 3rd Thursday of the month, November 16.
Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern
Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017
