On August 15, Massachusetts lost a powerful voice for justice. Michaelann Bewsee was a fearless ally and treasured friend whose passion and selflessness profoundly impacted the lives of her neighbors in Springfield and beyond for generations. In her honor, we want to share this piece, originally published in March of 2015, about her work to…
Aug 21
2019
2019
Aug 13
2019
2019
Getting the Lead Out
When the Flint, Michigan, water crisis made national headlines, it served as a wake-up call for many New England communities. Across the region, cities and towns began looking at the state of their own water systems to ensure they were safe and lead-free. In Claremont, New Hampshire, a city of just over 13,000 near the…
Aug 13
2019
2019
Historic Lawrence Canals in Danger
“Enel continues to extract from the city of Lawrence while refusing to protect these historic canals,” said CLF attorney Phelps Turner. “While the ruling will force the company to improve its practices, it falls far short in ensuring this critical resource is no longer littered with trash and putting residents in danger. We’re looking at all of our options moving forward to hold Enel accountable for protecting this core piece of the Lawrence landscape.”
Aug 8
2019
2019
Conservation Matters Summer 2019: Year in Review
CLF succeeds because we have people like you by our side. In this special annual report issue of Conservation Matters, we are honoring just a few of our many local heroes, people who have devoted their time, energy, and passion to defending our homes, protecting our children’s health, and supporting the vibrancy of our communities.
Aug 2
2019
2019
Big Oil Can’t Shirk Its Responsibility to Communities
Extreme weather caused by climate change may damage coastal infrastructure by degrading equipment containing hazardous chemicals or by flooding storage facilities. But fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil and Shell would rather take their chances and do nothing to ready their facilities. CLF knows, however, that these companies have a legal duty (not to mention an ethical one) to adapt their facilities to the foreseeable effects of climate change.
Aug 1
2019
2019
Massachusetts Considers Bills to Slash Pollution from Cars, Trucks, and Buses
Air pollution poses a serious threat to our health, and the emissions from cars, trucks, and buses are some of the most dangerous. In Massachusetts, this pollution does not affect all communities equally.
Jul 10
2019
2019
Why Are We Here Again? Standing with Springfield Against Biomass
Springfield, alongside community and environmental organizations like CLF, has been fighting this proposed biomass plant for years. We set the fight aside in 2017 when Palmer Renewable Energy, the company behind the proposal, paused its plans for construction. But now the company is back, hoping that its efforts to weaken state policy will bring its proposal back to life.
Jul 3
2019
2019
Higher T Costs, Poorer Service Doesn’t Add Up
This month’s MBTA fare hikes came on the heels of two trains derailments. But it’s not only headline-making derailments and delays that are a problem. The T must also improve daily bus service and make progress on long-awaited projects to ensure fair and equitable service to all of its riders.
Jun 28
2019
2019
Updated: Maine is Failing to Protect Its Children from Lead Poisoning
Update: On June 27, Governor Mills signed two new lead bills signed into law that may help change this disturbing trend Hundreds of children with lead poisoning go undiagnosed every year in Maine. That’s on top of the hundreds of Maine children who are diagnosed with lead poisoning annually. In addition, more than half of…