ADVOCATEENVIRONMENTAL LEAGUE OF MASSACHUSETTS / SPRING 2016

IN 2016 wE’RE fIGhTING TO: • Promote an energy policy that

brings online our offshore wind resources and solar energy.

• Stop the construction of new gas pipelines.

• Update zoning laws to ensure balanced development and land preservation.

• Find innovative ways to fund an affordable, climate-friendly and modern transportation system.

• Protect and preserve our public lands.

• Adequately fund our environmental agencies and state parks.

• Put a price on carbon emissions.

For more information and to learn what you can do, go to www.environmentalleague.org

ELM plays “David” to utilities’ “Goliath”You’ve heard the parable about David and Goliath. Sometimes it seems like a

cliché. Sometimes it’s real. Despite the odds, some fights are worth the risk.

ELM has a story to tell about standing up to bullies and coming out ahead.

One Monday morning in February, ELM’s phones started ringing. ELM Board

members, corporate partners and donors were calling to ask about a set

of yet to be published ads produced by ELM and the ELM Action Fund.

It turned out the big utility in town had gotten wind of these ads and was

trying to prevent their publication. Why? Because they shed light on an

uncomfortable truth.

Eversource and Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) have been

lobbying hard to convince the government and people of Massachusetts that

we need more fracked gas. They want to protect potential billions

Continued on page 3

holding government accountable Tracking, informing, scoring government action on the environment

State legislators have a lot on their plates … education, health care, the

economy … not to mention what’s for dinner. We understand that it’s hard to

prioritize. That’s why ELM works to ensure that decision-makers understand

the importance of the environment and its connection to a robust economy.

We share information and updates on complex environmental issues. We

seek their support for strong environmental laws and policies, and we keep

an eye on them to see if they’re paying attention. Then we let you, the voters,

know how they’re doing.

This year, ELM published 3 reports to track progress on environmental

issues, indicate where work is needed and hold decision-makers accountable.

Green Budget

Endorsed by 75+ organizations, the Green Budget is an annual

ELM publication that makes the case for the Commonwealth to

invest in its environmental agencies. Joe Dorant, President of the

Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists, says it’s “a

valuable tool that enables several different stakeholders to speak with one

voice.” With only 0.6% of the state budget currently going to environmental

programs, agencies can’t fulfill their missions. Our goal: allocate at least 1%

of the state budget to the environment.

Continued on page 2

ACTIONBRIEf

EnvironmentalLeague ofMassachusetts

@EnviroLeagueMA

2 SPrInG 2016

Gov’t accountability COnTInUED

Clean Energy and Climate Scorecard

The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA),

established nation-leading goals in

Massachusetts for reducing carbon emissions

25% by 2020, and 80% by 2050. ELM coordinates the

Global Warming Solutions Project (GWSP), a coalition

of stakeholders formed to ensure the GWSA targets are

met. In February, we released a GWSP Climate Scorecard

highlighting areas where the current administration

is falling behind, while suggesting ways to reach our

goals. The scorecard led to an important meeting with

the Governor’s office where we made our case to the

administration.

Key scorecard findings:

1) Mass. is not meeting its 2020 emissions reduction goals.

2) Hydropower imports alone won’t meet our goals. We

need more solar and wind.

3) new gas pipelines are not needed and will make it

impossible to meet our goals.

4) Transportation sector improvements can reduce emissions.

5) Intermediate emissions goals are urgently needed.

Executive Office of Energy and

Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) Review

A mediocre “C.” That’s the grade EOEEA earned

for its first year under Governor Baker. Though

not a high grade, the review outlines areas for improvement

and gives positive feedback where EOEEA is doing well.

The review reports on the following concerns:

1) Inadequate funding for environmental protection.

2) Understaffed environmental agencies exacerbated by

early retirements.

3) Executive Order 562 requiring extensive regulatory

review by already overburdened staff.

4) Policy decisions and lack of action especially in the

areas of energy, toxics and water.

5) Stronger management at environmental agencies needed.

As these 3 reports indicate, there is a lot of hard work

ahead for Massachusetts. ELM stands ready to support

the government in solving these critical challenges, but

will be vocal when the government falls short.

See these documents and more in the Publications

section at www.environmentalleague.org.

Dear Friend,

I hope you received the recent letter from me

asking you to help with our spring appeal.

If you already gave, thank you so much for your

important contribution to our mission. If not, there

is still time to support the priorities and programs

we share in this newsletter.

Just use the attached envelope to mail your gift or

go online to www.environmentalleague.org/donate.

Every gift helps protect our environment now and

into the future.

We will be tremendously grateful!

Sincerely,

George Bachrach, ELM President

IMPORTANT REMINDER

The Environmental League of Massachusetts

is committed to combating climate change and

protecting our land, water and public health. By

creating diverse alliances and building the power of

the environmental community, we use our collective

influence to ensure Massachusetts is a leader in

environmental and economic sustainability.

Our Mission

SPrInG 2016 3

The BIG “public” utilities say we have an energy crisis — too little capacity causing costs to skyrocket. Their answer? More cheap, “clean” natural gas, and build more pipelines across the state.

The utilities claim wind and solar are OK, but they block them at every turn. Why? Follow the money. Utilities make money from natural gas, not wind and solar. They make big bucks building massive, multi-state gas pipelines. Utilities are owned by stockholders and not rate payers. In 2014, when our utility bills were rising 40%, utility executives got multimillion dollar raises and stock options. Not bad.

Utilities don’t like publicity. When not in private Beacon Hill meetings, they’re in the shadows of a “front” group called the Coalition to Lower Energy Costs. They’re spending a fortune trying to convince us they are consumer advocates, that gas pipelines are the only answer because they’re cheap and clean. (If it were only true!) They don’t tell

us they want us to pay a new tariff for the pipelines. They don’t tell us we’re already paying billions for thousands of existing leaks in our

aging pipelines, for gas we’re not receiving. Nor do they tell us if new technology makes pipelines obsolete — we’re still on the hook to pay for them — for 30 years. They certainly don’t tell us wind and solar costs are rapidly dropping and far cleaner than fossil fuels. Why? Because they’re fronting for the gas industry.

The utilities and the “Coalition” are marching us back into the fossil fuel age. Businesses and homeowners are demanding solar energy, but the utilities stand in the way. The offshore wind industry can provide 12% of our energy needs, and create thousands of new jobs. Utilities aren’t buying in. Why? They just doesn’t like competition.

What’s in your utility bill? You send them money every month, but never see the real bill.

Right now, the utilities are on Beacon Hill with an army of lobbyists deciding your energy bills for the next 30 years

www.ourfutureenergy.org

Amount due $ $ ! ! !

Pay by March 1, 2016

Eversource Stockholder 2014 profits ................................ $814,000,000

2014 Rate increase to customers ...................................... 40%

322 miles of new gas pipelines .......................................... $8,000,000,000

Estimated cost of all pipeline leaks (’01-’11) ..................... $1,500,000,000

Advertising/lobbying for natural gas pipelines ................... $8 Million

Lost jobs: solar and wind power development .................. 90,000

Utility investment in off-shore wind power ........................ $O, ZIP, ZILCH

Projected pollution health costs to MA citizens ................ $ Don’t ask!

Climate change/storm damage to Earth ............................ $ Priceless!

Big utilites do right by their stockholders.It’s time the Commonwealth did right by us.

The evolution of utilities

Guess who’s stalking the halls of the State House? The BIG utilities and their army of lobbyists. They still believe fossil fuels are the future!

Utilities have friends in high places, corporate profits to protect, lots of campaign cash and fossil fuels to burn. Their mission is to frack and drill (baby drill)… keeping us mired in the Stone Age of pollutants and pipelines. The 21st century is beyond them as is the future of clean energy from solar and wind. We have a different vision…

Solar arrayS on the rooftops of our homes, businesses and schools… now stalled by utilities and an arbitrary cap constraining solar energy.

off-Shore wind, in deep water, further off our coast… now stalled by utilities who don’t like competition and won’t buy this clean energy.

hydropower that can diversify our energy portfolio by also bundling clean, on-shore wind power from New England via the same line.

Push back on the utilities. Push forward on clean energy in the 21st century. www.ourfutureenergy.org

Tom

There are three kinds of lies…lies, damn lies and statistics (Mark Twain)

Big Utilities and Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) have taken Twain to heart. They’re spending a fortune to convince legislators renewable energy is too expensive. They say we can only afford more natural gas, more pipelines across the state. If you believe that, we have a bridge to nowhere to sell you.

Massachusetts spends $22 billion each year on energy. Of that, $18 billion goes out of state to the fossil fuel industry and Big Utilities. Is that a good investment?

AIM and Big Utilities tell us solar energy is more expensive than natural gas. But that doesn’t include the next “Big Dig”, the $8 billion cost to build 322 miles of massive gas pipelines to get it here. Utilities make big money building infrastructure. And consumers will pay through the nose for the next 30 years, whether we need pipelines or not.

Former DPU Commissioner Paul Hibbard wrote recently the utilities analysis is “…incomplete in scope and detail, misleading, contains calculation and methodological

flaws and have not been investigated or confirmed.” Their numbers for solar costs are double the expected costs, and declining. They cite cost without return on investment. No business does that.

The first computer cost more than a typewriter. The first IPhone cost more than a landline. The first Model T cost more than a horse and buggy. Their costs dropped, and we’re not going back. The cost of solar panels is rapidly dropping, creating a new industry and thousands of new, local jobs for the 21st century.

Fight for clean energy & our local economy. www.elmaction.org/energy

Who do you believe, the Big Utilities or us?

“We can only afford natural gas.”

ELM plays “David” to utilities’ “Goliath” COnTInUED

in profits they would enjoy from new pipeline

development. ELM has been working to alert the public

about what Massachusetts will lose if new pipelines are

built. Our message has been consistent and strong: we

must not allow billions of ratepayer dollars to be spent on

massive pipeline infrastructure. It would be a costly detour

on the route to clean energy, and would thwart state plans

to meet our carbon reduction requirements. What’s more,

the Commonwealth doesn’t need more gas. According to

an independent study for the office of Attorney General

Maura Healey, Massachusetts can meet its energy needs

without big gas pipelines.

We explained to those who called that Eversource wanted

to silence us simply because we were determined to call

them out as a special interest, more concerned about their

shareholders than their customers. ELM board members,

donors, and friends rallied around us. We would not be

silenced. Together with the ELM Action Fund, we went

forward with 3 half-page ads in the Boston Globe and on

MASSterList. The ads generated media coverage that

brought additional attention to the issue.

“We’re proud of the campaign,” says George Bachrach,

ELM President. “We won’t let the utilities and AIM distort

the truth without being challenged. We won’t let the

legislature act predicated on distortions. We won’t

be bullied.”

When ELM, with a staff of 10, can scare big corporations

like Eversource, it speaks volumes. They may have

millions to spend on Pr and lobbying, but we have

something more powerful — the truth.

2/5/2016

2/12/2016

3/4/2016

As we go to press we have learned that the proposed

Kinder Morgan pipeline has been suspended. This is

an important victory but big utilities WILL continue to

push for costly and unneeded pipelines like Access

Northeast. The fight is far from over — keep posted on

the latest news at www.environmentalleague.org

Pipeline update:

4 SPrInG 2016

L-R: Senator Bruce Tarr, Senator Don Humason, Representative Kim Ferguson, ELM Legislative Director Erica Mattison, Representative Donald Wong, Representative Angelo D’Emilia, and Representative Paul Frost celebrate at ELM’s Republican Reception.

Tuesday May 31st, 5:30-8:00PMThe Boston College Club

100 Federal Street, 36th Floor Boston

Celebrate 20 years of Earth Night Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres and spectacular Boston

views. Join the Massachusetts movers and shakers in

creating a healthy environment and clean energy future.

Tickets start at $35 / elmearthnight2016.eventbrite.com

Sponsorships start at $500 / www.earthnight.org

You’re invited to our biggest bash of the year.

EARTH NIGHT 2016

high scoring GOP lawmakers honored at reception On February 2nd, ELM and the ELM Action Fund hosted a

reception to recognize 6 republican state lawmakers who

have strongly supported environmental protection. Among

their GOP colleagues they earned the highest scores last

session in ELM’s Legislative Scorecard, which analyzed

votes and bills sponsored.

ELM is the Massachusetts affiliate

of the national Wildlife Federation.

Together we work on efforts to combat climate change

and to protect wildlife.

Through our partnership with

EarthShare, employees at public

and private orgs. can donate through workplace giving.

OUR PARTNERS

SPrInG 2016 5

ELM trains new generation of environmental activistsLeaders. Advocates. Change-makers. That’s what Massachusetts needs to protect its environment now and in the future.

From the Boy Scouts in 1918 who helped ELM save trees from Dutch Elm Disease, to ELM’s Young Environmentalist

Program (YEP), we’ve always been committed to involving youth in our work.

This year we launched a new program to engage young people with our mission and advocacy efforts. The

Environmental Fellows Program educates, trains and activates college students on pressing issues. With generous

support from the Walmart Foundation, the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment and others, we’re

helping students develop skills to be effective environmental advocates.

The program kicked off in March, with 40 students from 15 colleges attending either 5 sessions in Boston or a full day

in Worcester. They learned about advocacy techniques from ELM staff, legislators and their aides, and professional

organizers.

Participants gained experience and insight. For example, they learned that Senators and representatives will often pay

attention to an issue when as few as 5 constituents contact them. Students were provided with postcards to share with

their networks in support of funding priorities for state environmental programs and in support of clean energy. As a

result, hundreds of postcards flowed into the statehouse from across the state.

Students also met with either their legislators or legislative aides to make the case for environmental protection, giving

our new Environmental Fellows the confidence to directly communicate with their elected officials.

In a world where students are often overwhelmed with information about things they can’t fix, we believe inspiring hope

and action is as important as knowing the facts.

Find more pictures from the spring Fellows Program at www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalLeagueOfMassachusetts

More than 30 students from over 10 colleges and universities attended ELM’s day-long advocacy training session this spring in Worcester.

Students at the MA State House Library meet with Kris Callahan, a Legislative Research Analyst, who described the importance of legislative research.

“ Hearing the insight of those who are currently active and successful in the field has given me the confidence to take steps forward in becoming an advocate.” — Alycia Steele / ELM Student Fellow from UMass Boston

6 SPrInG 2016

Jay Ash, Massachusetts Secretary of housing and Economic Development, meets with the ELM Corporate Council

At the March 15th ELM Corporate Council meeting

Secretary Ash stressed that he and the Governor

are committed to finding the most successful energy

strategy for the Commonwealth. Members were able

to voice concerns about the future of solar and wind

in Massachusetts. Members also asked Secretary

Ash how he planned to promote jobs in and around

Boston. Secretary Ash reported that he, Secretary for

Transportation Stephanie Pollack and Secretary of Energy

and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, are working

together diligently on each of these issues.

Secretary Ash greets representatives from Aggregate Industries and other ELM Corporate Council members at the March 15th breakfast.

ThANK YOU CORPORATE COUNCILAggregate Industries, HolcimBank of AmericaBiogenBlue Cross Blue Shield/MABoston ScientificCosta Fruit and ProduceEastern Bank

Energy ManagementGrossman Marketing GroupLegal Sea FoodsMassachusetts General HospitalMeredith ManagementMillipore Sigma

Saunders Hotel GroupStop & ShopTrillium Asset ManagementTriumvirate EnvironmentalTufts Health PlanWasteZero Wynn-Everett Resorts

Members receive benefits including:

• Opportunities to meet with senior government officials

• Shared testimony and media communications on

important public policies

• Publicity at all major ELM events

• ELM validation of members’ environmental leadership

Each member of the Corporate Council is a valuable

partner in our work at ELM. Their innovative

sustainability programs and environmental initiatives

set an example for other businesses across the state.

Their voices strengthen our message that we are more

powerful together.

To receive more information about joining ELM’s

Corporate Council contact Anne Meyer at

ameyer@environmentalleague.org or 617-742-2553.

Become a Corporate Council member

SPrInG 2016 7

Pam Kohlberg helps ELM keep the environment out front

ELM President George Bachrach and Pam Kohlberg have known each other since

they were teens. So when George came to ELM, he asked Pam for her support.

Personal connections are a great way to bring in new donors, but according to

Pam, “ELM is doing good work” and that is why she continues to give.

Pam’s interest in the environment was planted early. She was “lucky to go to

summer camp in nevada, at the foothills of the Sierras,” exposing her to nature

and natural treasures. Later, as a counselor, she enjoyed opening other young

eyes. She loved taking city kids on their first hikes and remembers that one camper took a deep breath and said

with amazement that the pines smelt like air freshener. “I had to explain that it was the other way around.”

These experiences shaped Pam’s future. She earned her Master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and

has worked to protect the environment ever since — at federal and state agencies, as a consultant and as a board

member and board chair for such organizations as the Massachusetts Chapter of The nature Conservancy.

Education and access to nature remain important

and represent the primary mission of Pam’s giving,

but her concerns have grown since those days in

nevada. “At the risk of rattling off a laundry list,

the number of important issues has multiplied.

Climate resilience, water resource management,

sustainable forestry, green jobs and environmental

justice” are among global issues Pam follows.

Locally, “renewable energy, green infrastructure,

livable cities and stopping methane leaks are

vitally important.”

Pam believes ELM plays an excellent role keeping

the environment in front of policy makers. “There’s

a perception that the environmental community

is a multi-headed animal advocating for various

positions.” By engaging corporate, labor and nGO

partners, ELM helps bring a more unified voice.

ELM “makes the message lucid and digestible”

for candidates and decision-makers, while helping

residents understand how legislators are voting.

George Bachrach says “Pam always deeply cared about our natural surroundings, and her quiet support for nonprofits like ELM makes a big difference.”

It all started with threats to our forests.

Then came water and air pollution, endangered

species, acid rain and now climate change.

What will tomorrow bring?

Since 1898, ELM has been working to protect the

Massachusetts environment. You can help sustain

this legacy, and join the ELM 1898 Society, by

including us in your estate plans.

Gifts of any size will help ELM maintain its

role as a strong advocate for the health of our

environment.

Your simple decision today will allow us

to respond to tomorrow’s challenges.

If you have already included ELM in your plans, we would love to welcome you into the 1898 Society. Contact: development@environmentalleague.org. More information: environmentalleague.org/donate.

Join the 1898 Society

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BrocktoN, ma

Board of DirectorsSeth Jaffe, Chair

John Quealy, Treasurer

Ann Fowler Wallace, Clerk

George Bachrach

Henry Bell

roger Berkowitz

Alex Bok

Theresa Cohen

William G. Constable

Veronica Eady

Bob Fishman

namrita Kapur

Anne Kelly

Ken Kimmell

Ginger Lawrence

Bethany LeBlanc

rick Mattila

Linda Orel

Matthew Patsky

Pete Pedersen

Ann roosevelt

Gwen ruta

Tedd Saunders

robert Tuchmann

StaffGeorge Bachrach, President

Ken Pruitt, Executive Director

nancy Goodman, Vice President for Policy

Erica Mattison, Legislative Director

Josh Craft, Program Director

Susan Thompson, Development Director

Joe O’Brien, Political Director

Anne Meyer, Program Associate

Ellen Tomlinson, Office Manager

randi Soltysiak, Accountant

14 Beacon Street, Suite 714

Boston, MA 02108

(617) 742-2553

www.environmentalleague.org

© 2016 ELM - Environmental League of Massachusetts. All rights reserved. PHOTO CrEDITS: Essex Egrets: Essex river Cruises, Girls on Fuller Street Beach: MA Office of Travel & Tourism

IN ThIS ISSUE• ELM plays “David” to utilities’ “Goliath” / PAGE 1

• Holding government accountable / PAGE 1

• High scoring GOP lawmakers honored

at reception / PAGE 4

• ELM trains new generation of environmental

activists / PAGE 5

• Jay Ash, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and

Economic Development meets with ELM Corporate

Council / PAGE 6

• Pam Kohlberg helps ELM keep the environment

out front / PAGE 7