Planning for more flooding

Climate change is creating more rainfall and higher sea levels, both of which will contribute to more flooding in our neighborhoods. We have a couple of decades before the problems really come home, but the lead times are long for major projects. Understanding the risks and building regional momentum to respond will remain a continuing priority of mine over the years to come.

Should Will support S.2092?

I am asked by the Union of Concerned Scientists to urge my State Senator to support S.2092, a measure to prepare/protect/ Massachusetts for/from global warming. “The Massachusetts Senate will soon vote on a bill requiring Governor Charlie Baker and future administrations to develop comprehensive plans to guide the Bay State as it prepares for more …

2015-2016 Gas Leaks Legislation

A recent article in the Boston Globe has drawn attention back to the more than 20,000 active natural gas leaks across the state. The 2014 gas leaks legislation created a registry and a three tiered classification system to prioritize and mandate repairs for the two larger classes of leaks. There are two bills relative to gas leaks that are under consideration in the current session.

Senate Passes Extension of Net Metering

Yesterday the Senate passed a climate adaptation planning bill, including an amendment to extend solar net metering for investor owned utilities. The Senate was eager to move this issue forward in part because some areas of the state have reached their current cap and solar installations are at risk of losing the federal subsidy which possibly expires at the end of next year. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where its prospects are unclear.