Jan 18, 2018

Advocates Applaud NH Senate for Passage of Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill

“For too long, we’ve put New Hampshire kids on the front lines of this serious public health problem – risking their health and their futures with the permanent effects of lead poisoning,” said Tom Irwin, Director of the New Hampshire office of Conservation Law Foundation. “Today’s vote is a victory for kids across the state. And because childhood lead poisoning often has a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and people of color, creating yet another barrier to breaking the cycle of poverty, today’s vote is a victory for some of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children and families. We look forward to seeing the Governor sign this important bill into law.”

Photo: lead paint
Jan 03, 2018

Advocates Praise Passing of Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill

“Childhood lead poisoning is a problem of statewide concern, affecting New Hampshire kids in rural and urban communities alike, and across all demographics, said Tom Irwin, director of the New Hampshire office of the Conservation Law Foundation. “But it’s a problem that disproportionately affects low-income families and some of our most vulnerable populations, and by impeding the ability of children to learn, it’s creating yet another barrier for families trying to break the cycle of poverty. Today, the House took an important step towards better protecting New Hampshire’s children and families.”

Dec 20, 2017

CLF Healthy Neighborhood Work Gets Massive Boost

“From addressing air pollution, to improving public transit, to building sustainable food systems and more, community health is the cornerstone of everything CLF does,” said CLF president Bradley Campbell. “New research collected on-the-ground has enabled us to chart a course for transformational change in Boston and other urban centers across Massachusetts tailored to the unique needs of each community. Thanks to this generous grant from RWJF, this proven model will be expanded and replicated nationally.”

Dec 15, 2017

Massachusetts Gives Huge Handout of Public Land to Private Developer

“This is quite possibly the worst decision ever made on who has access to our public tidelands and waterfront,” said CLF senior counsel Peter Shelley. “And it now sets a precedent for even worse privatization of public tidelands in the future.  It comes at a time when the public is justifiably upset that wealthy developers and luxury condominiums are walling off Boston Harbor from the people who paid to clean it up and make it attractive in the first place — the people of Massachusetts.”

Dec 05, 2017

Maine Delays Disastrous Anti-Solar Rule

“This senseless rule jeopardizes the growth of clean, local solar energy in Maine,” said CLF Maine Director Sean Mahoney. “Today the PUC pulled back to avoid an inevitable catastrophe. But delaying implementation doesn’t fix the fact that this rule hurts businesses and families, hampers our energy independence, and harms one of the fastest growing sectors of Maine’s economy. We need to eliminate this disastrous policy, not just procrastinate its implementation.”

Nov 29, 2017

City of Boston Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags

“More than 350 million single-use plastic bags hit the streets of Boston this year alone, most of which end up filling our landfills, littering our communities, and polluting our air when burned up in incinerators,” said Kirstie Pecci, Director of CLF’s Zero Waste Project. “This new ordinance protects the health of our neighborhoods and our environment, while at the same time easing the burden on taxpayers and saving local retailers millions. We are optimistic that Mayor Walsh will follow the lead of 59 other Massachusetts cities and towns and sign this ordinance into law.”

Nov 16, 2017

Federal Permit for Northern Pass an Affront to New Hampshire Interests

“The people of New Hampshire have been loud and clear that we do not want this project slicing through our state, yet the federal government has turned a deaf ear,” said CLF New Hampshire Director Tom Irwin. “Northern Pass is an empty promise when it comes to its claims of clean, ‘green’ power, and it only threatens to harm the communities and natural places it seeks to run through. From the beginning, the federal review process has had the feel of a rubber-stamp exercise in bureaucracy, failing to address key problems with the project. Regardless of the president’s approval, we will continue standing alongside the people of New Hampshire to fight this ill-conceived proposal.”

Nov 16, 2017

Alexandra Dapolito Dunn a Strong Choice for New England EPA Leadership

“It is a refreshing change of pace to see a Trump Administration appointee who gives New England climate and public health advocates reason to cheer,” said CLF president Bradley Campbell. “Alexandra Dapolito Dunn is a superb choice to lead EPA’s programs in our region. Her leadership of the Environmental Commissioners of the States (ECOS) restored its role as a constructive, nonpartisan voice addressing the most significant environmental issues facing our states and our nation. We look forward to working in partnership with her office to chart a course of science-based policies that will protect New England’s economy, natural resources, and the health of our communities for decades to come.”

Nov 13, 2017

CLF Applauds New Regional Transportation Climate Initiative

Phelps Turner, staff attorney, Conservation Law Foundation, said: “Transportation is the single largest source of climate-disrupting emissions that pollute our air and threaten our health. And with a federal government that refuses to act on climate change, it’s more critical than ever that local leaders step up. Today’s announcement demonstrates a firm commitment to expanding the proven RGGI model and ensuring that the future of transportation is safe, affordable and clean.”