Conservation Law Foundation has been working closely with the Union of Concerned Scientists and other partners to advance legislation that would implement transportation fuel tracking in Massachusetts. What is fuel tracking and why is it important? David Babson, senior engineer for Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program explains: I have been traveling to Massachusetts…
Sep 3
2015
2015
Aug 25
2015
2015
Governor Baker’s Solar Bill Misses the Mark
Anticipating the release of his promised solar power legislation, we encouraged Governor Baker to be bold in strengthening and continuing the solar-friendly policies, including net metering, that have made Massachusetts a national leader in solar energy. Unfortunately, his proposed bill falls well short of that goal. At a time when our changing climate demands urgent action…
Aug 14
2015
2015
This Week on TalkingFish.org – August 10-14
August 10 – Atlantic Halibut – Don’t Let the Googly Eyes Fool You – Today, we’re talking about a monstrous flatfish – the voracious, predacious Atlantic halibut. Like all flatfish, Atlantic halibut lie on their left sides, giving them a goofy, almost crooked appearance. But don’t be fooled – their mouths gape all the way back…
Aug 7
2015
2015
Sunny Days Ahead: Securing Massachusetts’ Role as a Renewable Energy Leader
Governor Baker’s administration announced late last week that it would file, this week or next, legislation designed to continue the growth of solar power in Massachusetts and achieve the state’s goal of 1,600 megawatts of installed solar capacity by 2020. No details have been released yet on the draft bill, but those are goals that CLF enthusiastically supports.
May 15
2015
2015
The Alternatives to New Natural Gas Pipelines
Now that we’ve made it through the winter, policymakers in Massachusetts are taking a look at the state of energy in the Commonwealth and trying to sort out what to do about the big energy policy questions currently on the table. First among these questions is what, if any, public policy support and funding should…
Apr 24
2015
2015
Fishery Management Council Spares Cashes Ledge But Puts Other Ocean Habitat at Risk
Cashes ledge, a spectacular underwater mountain range in the Gulf of Maine, has for now been spared by the New England Fishery Management Council, which met this week to vote on whether to open this biodiversity hotspot to the most destructive forms of commercial fishing. But, while the Cashes Ledge Closed Area survived the Council…
Jan 12
2015
2015
MA Senate Committee says there’s “No Time to Waste” to Tackle Climate Change
When the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change released a new report last week called “No Time to Waste,” CLF knew it was one we could get behind. The report is a message from the legislature to the new Republican administration containing recommendations for how the state can achieve its greenhouse gas…
Oct 31
2014
2014
This Week on TalkingFish.org – October 27-31
October 27 – Lost in the Fog – I was having a bit of an out-of-the-body experience last week when the Council’s Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) re-thought setting the Acceptable BIOLOGICAL Catch (ABC) for the collapsed Gulf of Maine cod stock. Most of the debate was driven by economic issues, not biological issues. The…
Oct 3
2014
2014
3 Things No One is Telling You About Rising Energy Costs
Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s first White House chief of staff, was once quoted as saying “You never want to let a serious crisis go to waste,” referring to the opportunities to pass sweeping bills in the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown. Over the past weeks, we’ve seen that sentiment put into practice by some…
Sep 9
2014
2014
An Incomplete Guide to the Massachusetts Ballot: If the Question is One, the Answer is NO.
As Massachusetts voters look to the November ballot, they have an opportunity to take a stand for a better, sustainable transportation system by voting No on Question 1. This first of four questions on the ballot would eliminate indexing of the gas tax to inflation, a development that would simply be bad for the environment.…