Climate Crisis Task Force

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History & Background

Early in our history, the Climate Crisis Task Force endorsed Climate Action Now’s 12-point vision for Massachusetts, and adopted the following action plan.

  1. Join Mass Power Forward’s “Moving Towards 100% Local Clean Energy” campaign.We will work with local groups and officials, using MPF’s checklist, to move all Franklin County towns toward 100% renewable energy.  We will start by convening a meeting of interested people from all parts of the county.
  2. Support Mass Divest’s campaign to have the state pension fund divest from fossil fuels. We will encourage stakeholders in the state pension fund to sign an online petition and contact their legislators in support of divestment legislation.
  3. Support the campaign targeting TD Bank as one of the major investors in the Dakota Access Pipeline. We will encourage Franklin County residents to close their TD Bank accounts and to join informational leafleting at the banks’ locations.
  4. Research and meet with other organizations concerning FRTA, with the goals of increasing use of public transportation and of having FRTA and schools use electric powered vehicles.
  5. One member of the task force will stay on top of national developments, and report to the task force when there is an appropriate opportunity for a local group like FCCPR to intervene.

Current Work

As a member of the Mass Power Forward coalition, we are currently supporting their legislative agenda:

  1. Protecting People from Utility Profiteering

    HD.3428/SD.2088, An Act preventing gas expansion to protect climate, community health and safety. Introduced by Rep. A. Ramos & Rep. Williams and Sen. Gomez. Fact sheet

    HD.1833/SD.742, An Act prohibiting the use of ratepayer funds for utility lobbying, promotions or perks. Introduced by Rep. Owens & Rep. Armini and Sen. Creem. Fact Sheet

2. Make Polluters Pay

HD.3369/ SD.1674 An Act Establishing a Climate Change Superfund. Introduced by Rep. Owens & Rep. Jack Lewis and Sen. Eldridge. Fact Sheet and Website

3. Clean Air for Environmental Justice

HD1924/SD1086, An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities overburdened by outdoor air pollution. Introduced by Rep. Barber and Sen. Connolly & Sen. Jehlen

HD2787/SD2074, An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities. Introduced by Rep. Garcia & Rep. Montaño and Sen. Gomez

 We keep the FCCPR membership informed about legislative initiatives, petitions and calls to action and look for ways to collaborate with other task forces and other regional and state climate organizations.

How to Get Involved/When We Meet

This group meets monthly. For information about our next meeting, see contact information below. In addition, please visit our list of active climate organizations nearby and around the Commonwealth.

Contact

Bob Armstrong bob@armstr.com