MMA: "Online maps illustrate progress of gas leak repair program"

"Massachusetts has one of the oldest natural gas systems in the country, with around 22% of the pipes under the ground considered “leakprone” in 2020, according to HEET, a Cambridge-based nonprofit dedicated to cutting emissions.

In 2014, Massachusetts created the Gas System Enhancement Program as a way for its six investor-owned natural gas distribution companies to accelerate the replacement of this leaking infrastructure by 2039.

Now, the public can view the location and estimated cost of each new planned gas pipe replacement project using pipe replacement maps created by HEET. Also available is HEET’s annually updated map of gas leaks across Massachusetts, along with estimated emissions."

Continue reading the article online at Mass Municipal Assoc (MMA)

https://www.mma.org/online-maps-illustrate-progress-of-gas-leak-repair-program/

The Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET)'s gas leak map ->  https://heet.org/gas-leaks/gas-leak-maps/

This link should drop you directly to the interactive Franklin section of the map ->

https://heet.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=73f7627766e64161a65c7518acb7eb9d

If the link doesn't drop you directly to Franklin, start here and search for Franklin ->  https://heet.org/gas-leaks/gas-leak-maps/

HEET's gas leak map focused on Franklin

Spanish/English bilingual adaptation of "Don Quixote"

Summertime is a good time for outdoor performing arts. And when the location is the Waterplace Park in Providence for a performance by Trinity Rep, put it on the calendar! 

"Meet the cast of "La Mancha!" This Spanish/English bilingual adaptation of "Don Quixote" is part of Teatro en el Verano, produced by @rilatinoarts in association with Trinity Rep. It features local Latinx artists, and is completely free to attend.

"Don Quixote" runs at La Galería del Pueblo in Central Falls July 15 - 24, with a special performance on the Waterplace Park  in Providence on July 28. 

For more information, visit trinityrep.com/lamancha."

Complete press release and performance schedule

https://www.trinityrep.com/teatro-en-el-verano-presents-la-mancha/

(Yes, there is nothing wrong with Central Falls but the schedule for the Providence performance is better for me.)

Spanish/English bilingual adaptation of "Don Quixote"

New England Muzzle awards contain a local interest

"A Boston mayor who trampled on a religious group’s right to freedom of expression. A Worcester city manager who trampled on the public’s right to know about police misconduct. A New Hampshire state legislator who trampled on teachers’ rights by demanding that they take a “loyalty oath” promising not to teach their students about racism.

These are just a few of the winners of the 2022 New England Muzzle Awards."

The former Worcester city manager (Augustus) is now the Chancellor at Dean College. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/dean-college-announces-elmore-as.html

Read the full article on the Muzzle Awards -> https://www.wgbh.org/news/commentary/2022/06/29/the-2022-new-england-muzzle-awards-spotlighting-10-who-diminish-free-speech 

New England Muzzle awards contain a local interest

4th of July Celebration - schedule for Friday, July 1, 2022

Friday, July 1

6:00pm - 4th July: Rides and food booths open

7:00pm - 4th July: Duppy Conquerors (the quintessential testimonial to Bob Marley's spirit and his music)

4th of July Coalition home page   https://www.franklin4th.com/

• Schedule -> https://www.franklin4th.com/carnival-hours

• Music line up -> https://www.franklin4th.com/schedule-of-events

• Food -> https://www.franklin4th.com/food 

• Donation info -> https://dashboard.atpay.com/giving_portal/org_hSjdZIXVngDI7KDJ_AeUeQ 

• Mail to    

Franklin July 4th Coalition

c/o Dean Bank

P.O. Box 307

Franklin, MA 02038

Download a copy of the recent Franklin 4th July mailer with the complete schedule of events  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sALIW_iu5PT84eQ_p3kUCncZaUnJB0NM/view?usp=sharing

yes, a Ferris wheel

The food lineup

Stay tuned for word on Fireworks for Saturday

With the forecast currently for thunderstorms on Saturday, if that holds up, it is possible the fireworks will be canceled. The decision needs to be made by 2 PM on Friday.  Stay tuned to the Celebration page for an update.

The good weather Thursday got the 4th of July Celebration off to a good start. Hopefully, that will hold for Friday and then after the storms pass on Saturday, allow for good weather on Sunday and Monday.

Stay tuned for word on Fireworks for Saturday

4th of July Coalition home page   https://www.franklin4th.com/

• Schedule -> https://www.franklin4th.com/carnival-hours

• Music line up -> https://www.franklin4th.com/schedule-of-events

• Food -> https://www.franklin4th.com/food 

• Donation info -> https://dashboard.atpay.com/giving_portal/org_hSjdZIXVngDI7KDJ_AeUeQ 

• Mail to    

Franklin July 4th Coalition

c/o Dean Bank

P.O. Box 307

Franklin, MA 02038

Download a copy of the recent Franklin 4th July mailer with the complete schedule of events  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sALIW_iu5PT84eQ_p3kUCncZaUnJB0NM/view?usp=sharing

CommonWealth Magazine: "State sets carbon targets for 2025, 2030"

 

"Hours after the Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to the national climate effort, Massachusetts released an aggressive new blueprint that speeds up efforts to slash emissions by electrifying buildings and vehicles and transitioning the electricity supply rapidly from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. 

The new plan offers a detailed path for what the state must achieve by 2025 and 2030, presenting a vision for accelerating climate action in Massachusetts. 

“The Clean Energy and Climate Plan is a comprehensive and balanced plan that will serve as a guide for Massachusetts as we work to achieve ambitious emissions goals and reach Net Zero in 2050 in an equitable and affordable manner,” Governor Charlie Baker said in a statement."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/30/science/new-state-climate-plan-shows-that-even-without-federal-government-massachusetts-is-moving-ahead/ 

Gov Baker's press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-releases-massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030

Updated plan (PDF) ->  https://www.mass.gov/doc/clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030/download

Appendices to plan (PDF) -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/appendices-to-the-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030/download

The Clean Energy and Climate plan webpage -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2025-and-2030

CommonWealth Magazine also provides coverage on the updated net zero plan

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/state-sets-carbon-targets-for-2025-2030/

Ted McIntyre and I have a series on "Making Sense of Climate." As it is based upon how the state is doing on meeting goals of the roadmap, this new update will be part of future discussions. You can listen to the prior episodes here

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

CommonWealth Magazine: "State sets carbon targets for 2025, 2030"

Attention Franklin: The curbside pickup schedule for the new fiscal year beginning July is in the mail

If you accidentally tossed it out, you can get a download a copy to keep handy from here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0rZzPPIsgdN3EgGRAT6e3Y1RSxKArnN/view?usp=sharing

For example, with the 4th of July falling on Monday, next week will be a one day delay in the normal trash/recycling schedule. If normally Monday, now Tuesday and so forth...

Additional info can be found on the Recycling & Solid Waste page

https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0rZzPPIsgdN3EgGRAT6e3Y1RSxKArnN/view?usp=sharing

MA Senate sends multiple legislative items to the House for their consideration

Please find four press releases related to legislation passed by the Massachusetts State Senate today. All the legislation referenced now goes to the House for their consideration.

Criminal Justice Bills: Civil Asset Forfeiture, Juvenile Diversion, Juvenile Bail

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tp_J1sJKOvYatFneHzuHjT1eWFPagfcc/view?usp=sharing

DCF Bills_Safeguards4Children, Foster Parents Bill of Rights

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ttWEanL5Uz7IjEAIYXNnnoK7_cU34pTd/view?usp=sharing

PrEP

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u4jxD5WiSz6A1OnFMbn2iUBJNN5BqrNn/view?usp=sharing

Archaic Laws

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u0MxXZmsWihHcfQbSUrKuMYZPPNoqchs/view?usp=sharing

Boston Globe coverage on the archaic law legislation (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/30/metro/with-lgtbq-rights-spotlight-senate-advances-bill-repeal-archaic-state-laws-that-ban-sodomy-unnatural-sex-acts/

MA Senate sends multiple legislative items to the House for their consideration

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"

The thread can be found in the ThreadReader App

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1542140059436064768.html

or at the start of the Twitter thread -> https://twitter.com/priyainmass/status/1542140059436064768

The Hill: "No miracle tech needed: How to switch to renewables now and lower costs doing it"

"The world is experiencing unprecedented fuel price increases, energy blackmail between countries, up to 7 million air pollution deaths per year worldwide and one climate-related disaster after another. Critics contend that a switch to renewable energy to solve these problems will create unstable electricity grids and drive prices up further. However, a new study from my research group at Stanford University concludes that these problems can be solved in each of the 145 countries we examined — without blackouts and at low cost using almost all existing technologies."

Continue reading the article on the report released

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3539703-no-miracle-tech-needed-how-to-switch-to-renewables-now-and-lower-costs-doing-it/ 

From the Opening of the report:

"Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. Roadmaps are developed and grid analyses are performed here for 145 countries to address these problems. The roadmaps call for a 100% transition of all-purpose business-as-usual (BAU) energy to wind-water-solar (WWS) energy, efficiency, and storage, ideally by 2035, but by no later than 2050, with at least 80% by 2030. Grid stability analyses find that the countries, grouped into 24 regions, can exactly match demand with 100% WWS supply and storage, from 2050–2052. Worldwide, WWS reduces enduse energy by 56.4%, private annual energy costs by 62.7% (from $17.8 to $6.6 trillion per year), and social (private plus health plus climate) annual energy costs by 92.0% (from $83.2 to $6.6 trillion per year) at a present-value cost of B$61.5 trillion. The mean payback times of the capital cost due to energy- and social-cost savings are 5.5 and 0.8 years, respectively. "

Download and read the full report ->

https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/Articles/I/145Country/22-145Countries.pdf

No miracle tech needed: How to switch to renewables now and lower costs doing it