You know that sinking feeling? The one where you think you’ve done a good job, but it turns out you didn’t? That’s the boat Vermont finds itself in when it comes to tackling climate change. We thought we were leading. But in fact, we are falling behind on our climate goals. Vermont’s climate-damaging emissions are…
Aug 15
2018
2018
Aug 13
2018
2018
Dangerous Heat Waves Demand Immediate Climate Action
If someone had told me last spring that the August forecast for Vermont showed seven days above 90 degrees, I wouldn’t have believed them. Yet in Burlington last month my thermometer read, day after day: 91, 94, 99, 97, 95, 97, and 96. Since then, we’ve seen the temperatures soar past 90 degrees again and…
Aug 8
2018
2018
The Massachusetts Legislative Session: An Anticlimactic Finish
The Massachusetts Legislative Session is over, and CLF has our recap of the good, the bad, and the “meh” from the last two years of work by our elected officials.
Aug 8
2018
2018
Rhode Island General Assembly Fails to Make Progress on Environmental Initiatives, But Some Bad Bills Defeated
When the Rhode Island General Assembly convened for its 2018 session, CLF and our partners focused on several key measures aimed at combating climate change, reforming how energy projects are sited, and protecting our waters from offshore drilling. With progress on these issues stalled (or moving in reverse) at the national level, state and local…
Aug 3
2018
2018
Judge Lets LePage Wind Moratorium Stand, But in Name Only
Last month, a Maine Superior Court judge dismissed CLF’s lawsuit against the LePage administration’s executive order that places a moratorium on new wind power developments in most of the state. The true losers in this case are not CLF and our co-plaintiffs, however. They are the people of Maine, our pursuit of energy independence, and our ability to create good, local jobs in a thriving new industry.
Aug 2
2018
2018
Fighting for Successful Clean Car Standards
Today, the Trump administration moved to unwind critically important rules for combatting climate change, protecting community health, and saving us all money. The Obama-era “clean car standards” were created to make our cars cleaner and more fuel-efficient. And they’re working – EPA itself has said so. Since 2011, the standards have reduced oil consumption in…
Aug 2
2018
2018
EPA Rolls Back Clean Car Standards
“The EPA and NHTSA are prioritizing fossil fuel interests over the health of our communities,” said CLF Staff Attorney Emily K. Green. “Strong vehicle emissions standards are critical to addressing climate change, and weakening them will put the health of millions of Americans at risk. This decision disproportionately harms the most vulnerable among us, while forcing families and businesses to pay more at the pump. We will continue to fight this rollback with every tool available.”
Jul 31
2018
2018
Massachusetts Legislature Fails to Take Meaningful Action on Clean Energy
This week, Massachusetts had a chance to make meaningful progress on clean energy. With a slew of bills in front of them, the legislature was poised to minimize electricity costs, bolster local job growth, and protect its people from the worst effects of climate change. Instead, our legislators made only half-hearted nods towards progress, falling…
Jul 27
2018
2018
Six Bills, Three Weeks: Massachusetts Legislators Need to Hear from You Today
Updated on Friday, July 27. As a runner, I know what it’s like to reach the end of a long race. That last mile is when a marathon truly does become a sprint, and it takes tremendous will and energy to push yourself over the finish line. That’s a lot like the end of a…
Jul 26
2018
2018
If We Act Fast, Massachusetts Can Still Make Progress on Clean Energy
While Massachusetts has made solid progress on clean energy, much work remains if we want to protect our families and businesses from the devastating effects of climate change. The magnitude of the transition before us – moving to virtually 100 percent clean energy in every sector of our economy – allows no rest or time…