"The possibility that the Salem power plant may close, or be transformed into a natural gas plant or a mixed-use development of some type, offers us a chance to imagine and implement new, more sustainable ways of defining our relationship to nothing less than the future.

"That sentence may seem grander than a single city's problem. Salem Harbor Station, after all, is only one coal (and oil) plant among thousands in the world. The carbon dioxide and mercury that it spews into the atmosphere every year are but a miniscule fraction of total global pollution emitted annually...."

Location:  Kenmore Station in Kenmore Square, Boston

Created By Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Massachusetts

"Who cares more about clean air than runners and athletes? Join the Coal to Clean Energy Massachusetts team at the finish line of the Boston Marathon with signs, stickers, and comment cards to enthusiastically support the EPA's new Air Toxics rule!"

Big Coal is proposing amendments everyday in Congress to weaken the Clean Air Act and take funding away from the EPA. If passed these amendments will make even bigger profits for their polluting ways and make you sick. The EPA must be funded properly to protect our health and ensure we are breathing clean air.

Be part of the cure for clean air on April 12th call into Senator Brown’s office to let him know the people of Massachusetts want clean air.

Earth Days 2011 Evening Program, 7:00 - 8:45pm, Central Campus [Social Hour from 6-7 PM with refreshments]

Social hour with refreshments and live music

Introductions & Opening Remarks

Announcement of student Poster Competition & juried Art Exhibit winners

Featured Speaker: TBA

Presentation of "Friend of the Earth" Awards to the following:

• Janet S. Domenitz, Executive Director, MASSPIRG
• Weston W. Wilson, formerly of EPA, Denver, CO

Closing Remarks and thanks to all

See a list of past Friend of the Earth Award recipients (pdf)

By Ehren Goossens

"Solar panel installations may surge in the next two years as the cost of generating electricity from the sun rivals coal-fueled plants, industry executives and analysts said.

"Large photovoltaic projects will cost $1.45 a watt to build by 2020, half the current price, Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimated today. The London-based research company says solar is viable against fossil fuels on the electric grid in the most sunny regions such as the Middle East...."

Senate Defeats Multiple Attacks On Clean Air Act

By Drew Grande, Sierra Club

"Today, the U.S. Senate beat back multiple assaults on the Clean Air Act and attempts to handcuff the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to protect Americans from toxic pollution. Today Senator Scott Brown voted in support of the McConnell amendment, which would eliminate EPA's authority to regulate global warming pollution and weaken fuel economy standards. By supporting this bill Senator Scott Brown voted to ignore the science of global warming and even block reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.

"The most egregious of the attacks, offered by Senator McConnell, would permanently remove EPA authority over GHG emissions and weaken fuel economy standards, failed 50 to 50 - 60 votes were required for passage. Other bills which would needlessly delay, block or narrow EPA's commonsense public health protections received limited support...."

2011.04.07

Contact: Drew Grande, (617) 302-6257

Senator Scott Brown votes for polluters as Senator Kerry and MA House delegation vote for clean air and public health.

Boston, MA – Today the House of Representatives approved legislation that strips the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect Americans’ public health against dangerous carbon pollution.  The bill, introduced by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), guts the Clean Air Act and threatens the health and well-being of American families.

The entire Massachusetts House delegation and other legislators recognized the importance of the EPA in protecting clean air and water for Massachusetts and stood up to polluters by voting against the bill. However, they were unable to garner enough votes to stop the bill. This vote comes only one day after Senator Scott Brown voted against clean air protections in the Senate.  This vote makes Senator Brown the only member of the Massachusetts delegation to vote against clean air and stand with polluters.

In response, Sierra Club Massachusetts Coal to Clean Energy Organizer Drew Grande released the following statement:

“Today, we applaud the Massachusetts House delegation and Senator Kerry for standing up to polluters and voting to maintain the EPA’s ability to protect against dangerous carbon pollution. Senator Kerry and members of the Massachusetts House delegation realize that we need to hold big polluters accountable for the damage they do to the public health of Americans.

“Though we are appalled by Senator Brown’s vote yesterday we are hopeful that he will stand with Massachusetts families when attacks on clean air and water come up again in the Senate.  

“Since day one of the 112th Congress, House Republican leadership like Fred Upton have been tasked by their polluter campaign contributors with gutting essential health protections like the Clean Air Act and abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect us from life-threatening pollution.

“This week, at the expense of millions of Americans who suffer from asthma, respiratory illness and other pollution-related disease, big polluters and their friends in Congress voted for higher profits for corporate polluters, dirtier air and water, more health problems, and more jobs shipped overseas, for the rest of us.

“The Sierra Club of Massachusetts applauds Senator John Kerry and our House delegation for standing up for the Clean Air Act, the EPA and the health of Massachusetts families.  We urge the Senator Brown to stand with the rest of Massachusetts for our health, our economy and our environment by rejecting this damaging and dangerous legislation.”

###

Contact: Drew Grande, (617) 302-6257

Created By

Tuesday, April 5, 6:30 pm City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, 3^rd floor: Winter Island Public Forum #2

The City of Salem will hold its second public meeting to discuss the future of Winter Island Park.  The Department of Planning and Community Development has selected a consultant team headed by The Cecil Group, Inc. of Boston and Bioengineering Group of Salem to develop a master plan for the park with funding from the U.S. Department of HUD. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and to provide input on such topics as park programming and renovation.

http://www.salem-chamber.org/livinggreenfair34.html

Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA

The 4th Annual Living Green & Renewable Energy Fair, organized by the Salem Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Salem Renewable Energy Taskforce, will take place on Saturday, May 21 from 10 am - 3 pm at Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square.

The Living Green & Renewable Energy Fair will bring together green industry professionals and consumers from the Greater Boston & North Shore regions to discuss products, services and information that encourage healthier, more sustainable consumption and lifestyles for businesses and families.

The fair will feature 40+ exhibitor booths, the 1st Annual Salem Seed Exchange, an ethical electronics recycling event and a free screening of a “green” themed film at Cinema Salem.   New this year, fairgoers can purchase a wide assortment of home-grown perennials, a variety of annuals and a selection of hanging baskets at the 4th Annual Plant Sale fundraiser for the City of Salem Beautification Committee.  The plant sale will be held outside on Derby Square, directly in front of Old Town Hall.

The Living Green & Renewable Energy Fair will be free to attend.  For more information please visit www.salem-chamber.org and click on “Living Green Fair”.

Massachusetts and New Jersey Customers,

We are excited to offer you a great opportunity to generate clean electricity with a rooftop solar system - at no upfront cost!

It’s easy!  Lock in a fixed rate for your monthly electric payment while promoting a clean energy future.  By leasing the solar system rather than owning it, you get the fixed-price benefit of fuel-free energy without the large upfront payment or hassle of system maintenance – we take care of all that! And you could even save money in the first year.

Community Energy’s Solar Lease Program is a special offer for green power customers in Massachusetts and New Jersey - a solar installation with significant benefits:

• Protect against rising utility rates
• Get solar panels on your own roof
• Save the upfront cost of buying a solar system and pay as you go

Lock in your electric rates now with a personal solar power system!  Community Energy is a leading renewable energy supplier and developer with a history of building wind and solar projects across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.  Through your Solar Lease from Community Energy, you will:

• Secure long-term, fixed-price electricity savings
• Generate clean, fuel-free energy
• Become more energy independent
• Set a positive example for your children
• Display your commitment to clean energy on your roof!

This Earth Day, let your legislators know you want the Safer Alternatives Bill to pass. Take that extra step to keep toxic chemicals out of your home, workplace, and community: join us at the State House for an Earth Day celebration and lobby day.

• When: April 21, 2011 - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Where: The Grand Staircase (2nd floor), The State House, Boston
• RSVP here! Please put "AHT" in the Affiliated Organization box. 

The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow is teaming up with environmental groups in Massachusetts this Earth Day. Every person that comes will be asked to visit their legislators and urge them to support funding in the state budget for environmental programs and the pro-environment bill(s) of their choice.  Please come and ask your legislators to support The Safer Alternatives Bill (H-1136 & S-397) to protect our health from toxic chemicals in our workplaces, consumer products, homes and communities.

March 31, 2011

"The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan should cause us to question the wisdom of using nuclear technology to generate electricity. It is my belief that the potential consequences that would attend a full reactor meltdown are simply too devastating to risk...."

New England Wind Energy Education Project 
Conference/Workshop

The New England Wind Energy Education Project (NEWEEP) is pleased to announce its upcoming one-day conference/workshop on June 7, 2011 at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Marlborough, Massachusetts, a location selected as central for access to participants throughout New England.

The conference/workshop will focus on presenting balanced information relevant to issues of importance to individuals and communities affected by wind energy proposals throughout New England, including environmental and economic benefits as well as siting concerns. Our goal is to ensure that participants know where to go to obtain the latest research, identify areas where more research is needed, and identify strategies for continuing the NEWEEP effort.

Contact: info@neweep.com

“We are focusing on nature--local farms and how to protect our local trees from an invasive beetle that has already decimated 40,000+ trees in the Worcester area. Stacy Kilb, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture ALB Coordinator, will have materials and teach us how to spot this beetle in our backyards and favorite hiking spots, and where to call when we do. Also, Walnut Fifteen will tell us how its team supports local farms and agriculture!”