Oct 12, 2017

Rick Perry Wants to Prop Up Old Coal and Nuclear Plants at Taxpayers’ Expense

In a stealth move that went virtually unnoticed by major media outlets, Energy Secretary Rick Perry last week used an obscure provision of law to essentially put the government’s thumb on the scale in favor of coal-fired and nuclear power plants. Secretary Perry directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a new rule… Continue reading Rick Perry Wants to Prop Up Old Coal and Nuclear Plants at Taxpayers’ Expense

Sep 25, 2017

Myths About Self-Driving Cars Debunked: Part 1

Self-driving cars feel like the stuff of science fiction. Given the speed at which self-driving cars are joining conventional vehicles on the road, it’s important to address some myths about them. Only by getting at what’s really happening right now can we make sensible plans for how self-driving cars can be safely and sensibly integrated into New England’s transportation network.

Self-driving cars
Sep 25, 2017

Myths About Self-Driving Cars Debunked: Part 2

Self-driving cars are no longer a dream of the future, but are here now. While we’re still in the early stages of testing and adoption, it’s expected that we will see a major proliferation of self-driving cars here in the States soon. That means we need to plan for them now ­– and what a proliferation of self-driving cars will mean for our roadways, our environment, and our daily lives.

Autonomous vehicles
Sep 19, 2017

Monuments on Paper Only?

National monuments without protections from commercial activities won’t do what they’re meant to do – comprehensively protect our natural, scientific, and cultural treasures In late August, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke submitted to President Trump a report on his summer-long, unnecessary “review” of 27 of America’s treasured national monuments, including two of the newest: the Northeast… Continue reading Monuments on Paper Only?

Photo: Mount Katahdin, Maine
Sep 11, 2017

Lessons from Houston: Protecting New England Communities from Toxic Spills

Over six days, Hurricane Harvey dumped 27 trillion gallons of water on Houston and parts of the Gulf Coast, leaving a wide swath of destruction and toxic pollution for communities to deal with as they try to rebuild from the storm. 100,000 homes incurred damage or were lost altogether, and restoration efforts are estimated to… Continue reading Lessons from Houston: Protecting New England Communities from Toxic Spills