Jan 14, 2021
“For years, state energy officials have unlawfully shut out Spanish-speaking East Boston and Chelsea residents from decisions that will impact their communities for generations,” said Amy Laura Cahn, Interim Director of the Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice program at CLF. “We rely on the EPA to enforce civil rights laws, which guarantee residents a say in what happens in their communities. Without action by the agency, the community has no chance to right this egregious wrong.”
Jan 13, 2021
“Roughly half of all right whale deaths are because they are run over and killed by speeding boats, and this unprecedented delay is only making matters worse,” said Erica Fuller, a senior attorney at Conservation Law Foundation. “It shouldn’t take a lawsuit to force regulators to make the common-sense decision to reduce vessel speeds in areas where right whales are present. The new administration must act quickly and avoid repeating the same mistakes of the Trump years.”
Jan 07, 2021
“We congratulate Governor Raimondo on her expected nomination, and urge this Ocean State governor to promptly undo the Trump Administration’s unlawful assault on ocean protections,” said Bradley Campbell, President of CLF. “Expanding offshore wind, taking emergency steps to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, and stopping the overfishing of New England’s depleted cod must be top priorities for Governor Raimondo once she is confirmed. We’ll also be holding her successor accountable for taking immediate action on climate here at home.”
Jan 06, 2021
“Transportation is an essential service and it’s about time our leaders treat it like one,” said Staci Rubin, Senior Attorney at CLF. “Funding these transformational projects and decriminalizing fare evasion will have a profound impact on communities that depend on public transit every day. Riders of color have been disproportionately targeted with criminal fare evasion charges for decades, and this welcome change is long overdue.”
Jan 04, 2021
“This legislation is a momentous step forward in confronting the climate crisis and protecting environmental justice communities,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Interim Director of CLF Massachusetts. “Only with the concrete plan and critical justice language in this legislation can the Commonwealth grow its economy, fight climate change, and begin to address stark environmental and public health inequities. The long-term health and safety of everyone in Massachusetts depend on Governor Baker signing this bill into law.”
Dec 30, 2020
“Massachusetts needs to commit to significant changes if we’re going to reach the 2050 emissions limits required by law,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Interim Director of CLF Massachusetts. “The people who will be affected most by the climate crisis, including Black and Brown communities and low-income households, must be part of the process, and it’s a great step forward that officials plan to do just that. We will be holding our leaders accountable for sticking to the goals laid out in this plan because it’s time to get to work.”
Dec 30, 2020
“After such an unprecedented delay, this new rule will help stem the surge of right whale deaths we’ve seen over the last several years,” said Erica Fuller, Senior Attorney at CLF. “Ropeless fishing is the only solution that protects whales and fishermen, and the rule expands that practice. However, NOAA must end its reliance on weak rope as a solution and get emergency protections on the water immediately while this rule is finalized.”
Dec 21, 2020
“TCI has the potential to fill a glaring gap in transportation funding and to reduce emissions, but it has been fraught by a process that too often ignored community concerns,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “While today’s agreement includes important equity commitments, it is the next steps that matter most. CLF can only support this program if these commitments become enforceable policies and truly additive investments in climate and the communities suffering most from air pollution and lack of transportation options.”
Dec 18, 2020
“Children deserve to play outdoors and ride the bus without being poisoned by toxic vehicle exhaust,” said Heather Govern, Director of CLF’s Clean Air and Water program. “All-Star has repeatedly violated an important anti-idling law that is designed to protect the public and our right to clean air. It’s time this company is held accountable.”
Dec 14, 2020
“Slashing these critical services will be catastrophic for communities that depend on public transit,” said Staci Rubin, Senior Attorney at CLF. “It’s senseless to cut services that essential workers depend on each day while COVID continues to rage. These cuts are not as bad as originally proposed, but they will nevertheless upend the lives of thousands of people, set the state back in reaching our climate goals, and hinder economic recovery after the pandemic.”
