Jan 13, 2023

Prioritizing the Environment this Legislative Session

“Vermont has made tremendous progress in the last few years, but there is a lot of work left to do and we can’t afford to let up now,” said Dale Azaria, Interim Vice President of CLF Vermont. “Climate impacts are already threatening our way of life. It’s time to go further to expand clean energy and protect our precious waters and resources. We’ll be working with legislators throughout the session to make these shared goals a reality.”

Vermont State House
Jan 12, 2023

Report Details Future of Clean Hydrogen in Connecticut

“Most hydrogen is currently produced from fossil fuels, so it cannot be considered clean energy,” said Shannon Laun, Vice President of CLF Connecticut and an appointed member of the task force. “As the report makes clear, the way hydrogen is produced is a critical piece of the puzzle. Investing in dirty hydrogen could actually increase emissions and make it harder to meet our climate goals, but clean hydrogen certainly has promise for uses that are hard to electrify.”

The hydrogen chemical symbol is shown
Dec 28, 2022

Rebecca Tepper Named Mass. Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs

“Rebecca Tepper is a proven leader and an excellent choice for Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “Tepper has the expertise and experience Massachusetts needs to lead on climate while helping communities facing toxic emissions, more polluted waters, and rising energy costs. Secretary Tepper’s first task must be to build a leadership team of comparable stature ready to meet this moment head-on.”

Massachusetts State House
Dec 21, 2022

Mass. Releases 2050 Climate Plan

“With climate impacts already at our doorsteps, now is the time to take action for the future,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of CLF Massachusetts. “This plan is on the right track, especially when it comes to phasing out fossil fuels in our homes and on our roads. But we need to do more on environmental justice to make sure that no communities are left behind in the years ahead.” 

Clean, renewable energy like wind and solar are ramping up in New England.
Dec 19, 2022

Gov-Elect Healey Names Climate Chief

“With this announcement, it’s clear that Governor-elect Healey is treating the climate crisis with the urgency our future demands,” said CLF President Brad Campbell. “Choosing someone of Melissa’s stature and experience sends a strong signal and she will push the administration to hit the ground running on day one. Massachusetts communities are already feeling the impacts of the climate crisis and now is the time for bold action.”

The Massachusetts State House
Dec 16, 2022

Rhode Island Climate Plan Approved

“Rhode Island clearly has a lot of work to do when it comes to meeting the demands of the climate crisis,” said Darrèll Brown, Vice President of CLF Rhode Island. “The plan that the council approved today is a good first step, and it recommends some much-needed policies like electrifying transit fleets and expanding incentives for clean, efficient heat pumps. But this experience showed us how much time it takes to create an inclusive climate plan – we need to get to work now on the plan’s next iteration which is due in 2025.”

Rhode Island's state house
Dec 15, 2022

Amid Pressure, VT Legislators Delay Vote on Pesticide Rule

“People have a right to make their voice heard when harmful chemicals are being used in their neighborhoods,” said CLF attorney Mason Overstreet. “The proposed rule threatens public health and runs counter to the goals laid out in Vermont’s climate laws. Legislators made the right decision in postponing a vote, and this rule should go back to the drawing board.”

Vermont's state house in autumn
Nov 30, 2022

The Future of Fossil Fuel Heat in Massachusetts

“We can’t burn our way out of this problem,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of CLF Massachusetts. “Burning oil and gas in our homes pollutes our air and worsens the effects of the climate crisis. The commission’s report is absolutely correct: we need to start planning now for a cleaner future without gas, whether it’s fossil gas or alternative methane gases.”

Heat pumps on the outside of a grey, wooden home while it is sunny outside.