“Climate change demands that we set aside harmful, unnecessary fossil fuel pipelines, and today’s decision is a step in the wrong direction,” said Sandra Levine, Senior Attorney at Conservation Law Foundation. “Without a fresh look at what has become an entirely new project, the troubled Vermont Gas pipeline will saddle Vermonters with higher costs and more pollution for decades.”
“Legislators loyal to the LePage ideology failed us by allowing the Governor and the PUC to unnecessarily raise electricity costs for all Mainers, while depriving us of the right to fairly produce and consume our own solar power,” said CLF attorney Emily Green. “Solar power is good for Maine, and leaders who block its progress are doing so at the expense of individuals, families, and local businesses. Fortunately, the legislature’s failure today is not the last word on the PUC’s regressive, harmful rule, because we have taken this fight to the state’s highest court and anticipate a decision soon.”
“By issuing this permit, the Baker administration has clogged our community’s air, water, and land with another 500,000 tons of toxic ash in Rumney Marsh,” said Kirstie Pecci, Director of the Zero Waste Project at Conservation Law Foundation. “We will all be able to breathe easier when the Commonwealth stops pandering to dangerous landfills and starts protecting public health by enforcing its zero waste regulations.”
“Alyssa Rayman-Read is a tenacious legal advocate who brings a depth of experience in reducing inequalities and enhancing the rights of vulnerable communities,” said Bradley Campbell, President of Conservation Law Foundation. “Her courage in building bridges amongst unlikely allies; her conviction in amplifying the voices of those who have been side-lined; and her commitment to social and climate justice make her uniquely qualified to advance CLF’s mission in Massachusetts.”
“Strong solar policy helps create jobs, protects our environment, and lowers energy bills. By vetoing the solar bill, the Governor is taking money out of the wallets of hardworking Mainers and threatening our energy independence,” said Emily Green, CLF Staff Attorney. “Our legislators must stand by the people they serve, and shut down the Governor’s irrational attempt to sabotage Maine’s clean energy future.”
“Taking Northern Pass off the table is the right call for Massachusetts and New Hampshire,” said Greg Cunningham, VP and Director of CLF’s Clean Energy and Climate Change program. “Having been rejected now by two states, the writing is on the wall for Northern Pass – Eversource should pull its plug once and for all.”
“The least expensive energy is the energy you don’t use,” said CLF Attorney Amy Laura Cahn. “We have programs that could save everyone in our state money, but utilities aren’t making enough of an effort to reach middle-income families and renters and are not tracking their own progress in serving these groups. These are serious problems. But we have the chance to change course — it’s time for Massachusetts to stop resting on its laurels and move forward with energy efficiency.”
“This was a hail Mary effort of Northern Pass to meet the Massachusetts deadline and that hail Mary pass has failed,” said CLF attorney Melissa Birchard. “The New Hampshire siting committee unanimously rejected this bad proposal in February. The Committee is standing strong for the people of New Hampshire and will not allow Northern Pass to play fast and loose with the process. The writing is on the wall – Northern Pass is dead and Massachusetts must move on to a project that better serves the people of New England.”
“The Bethlehem landfill is dumping dangerous pollutants into the Ammonoosuc River, one of New Hampshire’s treasured and iconic waterways,” said Tom Irwin, Director of Conservation Law Foundation New Hampshire. “Expanding this landfill is not only illegal but a menace to the health and wellbeing of North Country residents living in its shadows. It is time to stop expanding toxic landfills and start protecting communities by reducing waste at its source through recycling and other efforts.”
“The House should be commended for representing the interests of Mainers who deserve a clean energy future,” said CLF attorney Emily Green. “Now our leaders must show courage and conviction in the face of a Governor who wants to sabotage Maine’s energy independence. We cannot risk the jobs and affordable energy that this bill will bring by allowing LePage to ignore the will of Mainers in favor of lining the pockets of big utilities.”
