Electric stoves are better for the climate and for air quality. Photo: Shutterstock
Recent months have made it clear that we can’t count on the federal government to step up to fight climate change. If anything, the Trump administration seems committed to accelerating climate change by sabotaging renewable energy projects and encouraging more fossil fuel extraction. But we aren’t powerless – with your support, CLF is fighting to pass state legislation to bring us closer to clean, green energy across the region.
Below are just a few of the policies we’re currently pursuing to protect our warming planet. If you want to join the fight, sign up for our emails to learn how to advocate for these bills.
Standing our ground in Vermont
Passing strong laws to protect the climate is vitally important. In today’s political situation, defending them might be even more so.
Ten years ago, Vermont established Renewable Energy Standards, which set goals to replace fossil fuels with clean energy in the state. Five years ago, CLF championed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which strengthens the state’s goals for cutting climate-damaging pollution and makes them legally binding. This year, Governor Scott has championed a bill that would substantially roll back both policies.
Vermont has spent the last few years battered with floods fueled by climate change. Pulling back on fighting climate change now is nonsensical. CLF is speaking up against this bill – literally. Our advocates have testified against this dangerous attempt to undermine the necessary transition to renewable energy, and we’ll let our supporters know when they can raise their voices.
We’re not going back or giving up an inch of progress.
Making energy affordable in Massachusetts
Successfully pushing for meaningful policy change means responding to new needs and new opportunities when they arise. This winter in Massachusetts, a combination of frigid temperatures and a fossil fuel company’s negligence sent utility prices sky high. Governor Maura Healey has announced she will introduce a bill to manage the crisis.
We don’t know yet exactly what this bill will include, but we know that CLF is ready to help lead advocacy on this bill. Fossil fuel companies and their irresponsibility fuels climate change. Climate change fuels extreme temperature fluctuations and weather. There’s no reason for residents to get stuck with the literal bill for this.
Fossil fuel companies need to pay up. Whether that’s committing to lowering prices, providing badly needed credits on their excessive utility bills, or another equitable strategy to support residents, we need action from the responsible parties.
Cutting climate-damaging pollution from Rhode Island buildings
Buildings account for approximately 40% of all carbon pollution in Rhode Island, and that’s probably an undercount. Heating and cooling buildings via leaky natural gas pipes is an enormous driver of climate change. That’s why CLF is championing a bill that would sustainably transition many Rhode Island buildings off of natural gas.
The Building Decarbonization Act would phase out natural gas from buildings in three achievable steps. First, it would require owners of large buildings, like commercial office buildings, to begin tracking and eventually reporting their energy usage. Then, it would require those building owners to modernize their buildings by adopting renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and using other methods to reduce their energy use. Lastly, it would require new buildings to either be all-electric or set up to convert to all-electric later.
Phasing out natural gas and replacing it with renewable infrastructure will be essential to meeting Rhode Island’s climate goals. So-called “natural” gas is actually toxic methane, which is an even more potent contributor to climate change than carbon dioxide. Rhode Island is ready to make the switch to cleaner, greener, and safer forms of energy.
Inaction and even bad actions on the federal level won’t stop us from fighting climate change in our backyard. We’ll take every opportunity we have to hold the line and protect our overheating planet – and to empower you to help. Sign up for our emails so you’ll know when and how to speak up.
New England’s shift to clean, renewable energy is already well underway, but it’s not complete. If you help us champion even more powerful state legislation, we can make our goals a reality.
