Apr 05, 2021
My Turn: Biden’s federal flood protections provide a blueprint for municipal follow-up
We are back in a world where the federal government is leading on climate change. New Hampshire needs to follow.
Focus Area: People & Justice
Apr 02, 2021
Judge nixes downtown harbor plan, imperiling long-planned skyscraper on Harbor Garage
“They took a process that should be very public and very predictable and made it one that happens with a lot of private conversations between developers and cities and the secretary (of Energy and Environmental Affairs),” Shelley said. “We don’t think that’s good policy.”
Apr 02, 2021
Resident Researchers Find Data-Driven Solutions, Unexpected Friendships, and Opportunities To Heal From Within
Resident Researcher, Carl Baty, shares how the Healthy Neighborhoods Study is turning research into action and disagreements into long-lasting friendships in his community.
Apr 02, 2021
Springfield Biomass Plant Permit Revoked
“The last thing the asthma capital of the U.S. needs is a plant spewing air pollution and further imperiling public health,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Interim Director of CLF Massachusetts. “Springfield residents made their opposition to this polluting plant clear, and DEP officials have handed them a win today. The fact is that burning biomass is neither clean nor renewable and it should be left in the past with fossil fuels.”
Apr 02, 2021
Plastic Waste Washes Up in Maine – All the Way from Europe
On December 2, 2020, a ship carrying plastic waste from abroad was being unloaded when 5,000 pounds were lost to Maine’s Penobscot Bay. The spill sparked outrage and left many people asking the same question: Why is the U.S., which generates the most plastic waste globally, importing even more plastic waste?
Apr 02, 2021
Judge Throws Out Downtown Boston Harbor Development Plan
“Public access to Boston’s beautiful waterfront won today,” said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel at CLF. “State officials acted unlawfully in coming up with the Downtown Municipal Harbor Plan and handed private developers a free pass to create new rules to benefit themselves. The judge saw right through this effort and affirmed that only the state’s Department of Environmental Protection can make decisions that protect the public’s centuries-old right to access the water and waterfront.”
Apr 02, 2021
Mass. Revokes Air Permit For Controversial Biomass Facility In Springfield
“The last thing the asthma capital of the U.S. needs is a plant spewing air pollution and further imperiling public health,” Caitlin Peale Sloan, interim director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Conservation Law Foundation, said in a statement. “Springfield residents made their opposition to this polluting plant clear, and DEP officials have handed them a win today. “
Apr 01, 2021
Our Utilities Are Falling Down on Climate. Here’s Why They Need to Step Up.
No state here in New England has required its utilities to assess their vulnerability to climate change – or take action to prepare for it. With our homes, lives, and livelihoods at stake, allowing utilities to be so unprepared is irresponsible and simply too big a risk to take. CLF is pushing to change that – starting with Massachusetts.
Mar 26, 2021
Governor Baker Finally Signs Climate Bill into Law
“Massachusetts is already seeing the impacts of the climate crisis so we must continue to lead on bold climate policy,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Interim Director of CLF Massachusetts. “As this bill becomes law, we can finally begin the essential work of slashing emissions and creating a safer, more sustainable future for all residents. Governor Baker must work quickly to implement new rules that ensure the state’s ambitious climate goals are realized.”
Mar 23, 2021
Springfield City Council enlists Conservation Law Foundation in fight against Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant
The Springfield City Council will challenge Palmer Renewable Energy’s decade-old building permit with the help of the nonprofit Conservation Law Foundation of Boston.