State Rep Jennifer Benson on carbon pricing

While President Trump wants to increase fossil fuel production, over 30 states, two-dozen cities, and half the Fortune 500 companies already have plans to slash emissions and switch to renewable energy. Many states are sure to follow, and the Northeastern states are looking to Massachusetts to be the leader.

State Representative Jennifer Benson’s carbon pricing bill, An Act to Promote Green Infrastructure, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Create Jobs, (H.1726), would put a fair price on carbon dioxide emissions by establishing a fee and rebate system on carbon to reduce the use of fossil fuels by encouraging energy efficiency and the use of clean energy sources.

The Act aims to preserve our environment and strengthen our economy. It would promote green infrastructure, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Commonwealth’s carbon footprint, which would help the state meet emission mandates set by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008, committing our State to emissions reductions of 25% by 2020.

In this presentation, Representative Benson will explain her thoughtful approach to drafting this comprehensive piece of legislation; how it would reinvest funds back into transportation, resiliency, and clean energy projects; and, how it would offer protections to low-and moderate-income households. She will also tell us what we can do to promote clean energy and a strong economy in Massachusetts.

Climate and Environment Lobby Day

The Minuteman Indivisible climate group is working on supporting the carbon pricing legislation pending in Mass, and could our some help. They are coordinating with Campaign for a Clean Energy Future, a coalition of environmental groups organizing the campaign and have been given a specific assignment.

On June 13, the coalition will be having its first “Lobby Day” in support of the carbon pricing legislation, and will be meeting with key persuadable legislators on Beacon Hill. They’ve asked for us to help: (a) find and recruit constituents from key districts to participate in the lobby day; and (b) ask folks all over the state to call their reps on June 13 in support of the bill.

A fill-in form is available on the Minuteman Indivisible website to gather names, emails, and zip codes of supporters around the state.

The MA carbon pricing legislation failed to pass in the last session, but we’re hoping that with a newly energized grass roots focusing on state environmental efforts, we can push it through this time.