January 28, 2020

Infographic: Comparing New England’s Bottle Return Programs

by Olivia Synoracki

Although some New England states pioneered the bottle return system, they have since fallen behind. But New England can improve its recycling by updating or adopting bottle return systems in each state. This would help reduce litter in our neighborhoods, parks, and waterways; it would keep recyclable material out of landfills and incinerators; and it would lift some recycling costs off of communities.

January 27, 2020

Why (and How) We Must Update Our Electricity Grid

by Bethany Kwoka

Our electricity grid was designed over 100 years ago. But times have changed. Today, clean, renewable energy can be harnessed right where we live, so electricity doesn’t have to come from polluting power plants miles away. But we have to update our electricity grid to take advantage of it.

We need to update our electricity grid
January 24, 2020

Driving an Electric Car in New England

by Bethany Kwoka

CLF’ers Elena Mihaly and Tom Irwin show that you don’t have to live in a major city, or even on a paved road, to benefit from driving an electric car.

It's easy to drive an electric car in New England
January 22, 2020

Looking Back: One Year After the Newport Gas Outage

by Amy Moses

Exactly a year ago, as families prepared for a brutal winter night, National Grid cut gas service to more than 7,000 customers on Aquidneck Island. With another New England winter upon us, it’s also worth noting that Rhode Island could avoid these types of emergencies entirely by switching from fossil fuels like gas to clean alternatives powered by solar and wind.

gas meters
January 13, 2020

Organizing for Healthy Housing

by Andrew Seeder

A shared understanding of the challenges created by gentrification help Lynn residents come together and fight for healthy housing.

January 13, 2020

Vermont Needs Strong Laws to Fight Climate Catastrophe

by Sandy Levine

While Vermont has made strides advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy, we are falling behind in reducing toxic climate pollution from burning fossil fuels in our cars and homes. Passing the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act will change that, putting us back on track to cutting our emissions and securing a brighter future.

Vermont State House
January 9, 2020

Stricter Lead Standards Needed to Protect New Hampshire Children

by Tom Irwin

It’s a troubling reality that in many schools and childcare facilities – places where we send our kids to learn and be safe – our children can be exposed to lead in their drinking water. And it’s especially troubling that in New Hampshire, like most states, we don’t have health-based standards to protect our kids from that harmful lead exposure. This legislative session, we’ll be working to correct that problem.

January 8, 2020

Maine Needs to Act Now to Protect Us from Toxic “Forever” Chemicals

by Phelps Turner

The Maine PFAS Task Force recently released a draft of its recommendations for how to protect residents from these dangerous chemicals, but they fall well short of the bold action that is needed. But there are still opportunities for legislators and regulators to make a difference.

January 7, 2020

Home Energy Solutions: Installing Solar Panels in Central New Hampshire

by Bethany Kwoka

Installing solar panels helped Melissa and her husband slash their energy bills – and also reduced their family’s carbon footprint.

solar panels on a house in central New Hampshire
January 7, 2020

The Year Ahead at the Vermont State House

by Jen Duggan

With the Vermont General Assembly reconvening, CLF is working with lawmakers to advance solutions that protect our natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy on behalf of all Vermonters. This session, we’re focusing on cutting carbon, limiting plastic pollution, protecting the state from toxic “forever chemicals,” defending water quality, and more.

Vermont State House