Oct 25, 2023

Mass. Climate Chief Issues Recommendations for Confronting Climate Crisis

Melissa Hoffer has released a report outlining recommendations for the Healey Administration’s agenda to tackle the climate crisis. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.

“The climate crisis is impacting every community in Massachusetts, and we wasted valuable years under the prior administration waiting for firm commitments and real action on the ground,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of CLF Massachusetts. “The Climate Chief’s report underscores the vast challenges facing the Commonwealth in this fight as well as the opportunities for climate solutions that work for all our residents. It’s time to get to work.”

The Massachusetts State House
Oct 19, 2023

Green Line Extension Issues Far Worse Than Previously Known

“This level of dysfunction and irresponsibility defies explanation,” said CLF attorney Seth Gadbois. “The previous administration was clearly more interested in cutting a ribbon than getting this project done safely and correctly. CLF sued to ensure that this extension was built, and this is now an opportunity for the Healey administration to commit to public transit and repair public trust.”

MBTA Green Line
Sep 18, 2023

Gov. Healey Bans State Agencies from Purchasing Single-Use Plastic Bottles

“Single-use plastics are a scourge on our environment and our communities,” said CLF zero waste attorney Mara Shulman. “These products hasten the climate crisis and endanger the health of people and wildlife. Governor Healey’s ban is a great  step towards making Massachusetts a leader in fighting the plastics crisis.”

Pile of Plastic Bottles
Sep 13, 2023

Groups Form Plastic Free Mass

“It’s time to finally address the plastics crisis in Massachusetts. From modernizing our antiquated beverage container deposit system, to banning single-use plastic bags at checkout, to making producers of plastic packaging responsible for reducing packaging and managing plastic waste at its end of life, there are several pending bills that will take us in the right direction. We stand with our elected officials and pledge to keep up the momentum because there is no time to waste in taking a bite out of waste.”

Aug 15, 2023

CLF Sues Quincy Chemical Company

“The stench and polluted air and water from Twin Rivers has negatively impacted the health and quality of life of community members for too long,” said CLF attorney Erica Kyzmir-McKeon. “Everyone in this community has a right to clean air and water. This facility needs to own up to its unlawful actions and prioritize stopping this pollution for good.”

A view of the Weymouth-Fore River
Aug 10, 2023

Setting the Stage for Our Clean Energy Future 

Two proposed projects in Massachusetts aim to transform what were once centers for dirty energy into starting blocks for our clean energy future. In the process, they could provide a blueprint for reimagining our working waterfronts. Massachusetts’ waterfronts have always played a critical role in the state’s economy, supporting our fishing, shipping, and energy industries,… Continue reading Setting the Stage for Our Clean Energy Future 

Brayton Point Station in Somerset, Massachusetts
Jul 27, 2023

Mass. Utilities Charging Customers for Storm Cleanup

“Allowing these companies to keep charging customers for storm cleanup over and over is an outrage,” said Johannes Epke, CLF. “It should be up to the utilities to make their infrastructure resilient to the frequent, climate-driven storms we’re seeing more and more. It’s time to change state rules that allow these companies to pass the bill on to Massachusetts families and businesses and hold utilities responsible instead.”

A downed power line in a road after a storm
Jul 18, 2023

A Win for the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers

“These iconic rivers are inundated with stormwater pollution that makes boating, fishing, and swimming unsafe,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s Vice President of Clean Air and Water. “The court’s decision today sets a timeline to clean up this problem that has plagued the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers for far too long. EPA is now on the hook to issue draft permits by September 2024, which is a clear victory for clean water in Greater Boston.”