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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 5/8/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Working Toward Global Warming Solutions
Massachusetts became a leader in the fight against climate change when Governor Patrick signed the Global Warming Solutions Act into law in 2008. The Act requires a reducion of greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, with an interim reduction of 10-15 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. In the first step toward achieving these goals, state government agencies have provided baseline numbers for 1990 emission levels and expected 2020 levels based on current trends. These figures will provide the basis for limiting future emissions. This report, however, does not consider the role forests play in removing carbon from the atmosphere or the carbon released during deforestation. The carbon sequestration value of forests and other natural areas must be recognized, and we will be work with other environmental groups and state agencies toward the inclusion of this data. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), will host a series of public meetings to provide background on the Global Warming Solutions Act. A meeting focusing on technical details of the recently published report will also be held. These meetings provide an opportunity for public comment. For more information, visit MassDEP's Climate Change website. Meeting schedule: May 11, 2009
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Springfield Public Library, Main Branch
220 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103 May 14, 2009
6:00-8:00 p.m.
MassDEP Northeast Regional Office
205B Lowell Street
Wilmington, MA 01887 Technical Meeting: Monday, May 18, 2009
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Rooms 2B & 2C
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
Note: For the May 18 meeting, bring a Photo ID and allow time to pass through security.
Ocean Management for the Bay State
Last year, the Massachusetts Ocean Management Act was signed into law by Governor Patrick as a first-in-the-nation effort to manage state ocean waters. Mass Audubon was appointed by the Governor to the 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission to represent the Commonwealth's environmental interests and work with the administration to write the ocean plan.
Calendar
Earth Day Celebration Mass Audubon will be among the many environmental organizations participating in this event, organized by the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters. Please join us and enjoy live animal demonstrations, talks from leading legislators, free snacks, and learn about environmental initiatives! Tuesday, May 12
11:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
State House, Boston Blackstone River Stormwater Conference Thursday, May 14
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
50 Douglas Road
Whitinsville, MA Learn about ways to reduce flooding and stormwater-related damages in your community. Registration required, see website for full details. Environmental Briefing The Environmental League of Massachusetts, along with the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative, is hosting a series of environmental and legislative briefings. All hearings will be in room 348 in the State House. Land Conservation
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Massachusetts loses 40 acres of open space a day to development. Ironically, some of it is disposed of by municipal and state government. How do we respect municipal needs while preserving open space? Come learn about the Public Lands Preservation Act ("PLPA") (SB396; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser). Other bills may be discussed and updates to the schedule will be posted in the Roundup.
Presenters: Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club Presentation of the Robert Kuehn Community Preservation Award to the Lexington and Marion Community Preservation Committees
Thursday, May 14, 2009
3:00 p.m.
Nurses Hall
Massachusetts State House
Boston, MA
Please RSVP to Alison Mitchell, alison.mitchell@communitypreservation.org Public Meetings A series of regional sessions are being held about the Land Use Partnership Act and its impact on existing zoning and land use statutes. The regional meetings are open to the public. Please view the meeting schedule for more information. Governor Patrick will be holding community forums focused on difficult choices facing the state in these challenging economic times. These forums will take place in 36 communities throughout the state, and will allow the public to provide input and ask questions. See the schedule to find an upcoming meeting near you.
Please contact us if you have any questions at: action@massaudubon.org.
About The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup tracks the legislative priorities of Mass Audubon, focusing on the protection of the nature of Massachusetts. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends, family, and colleagues and to enlist their support.
If you are not already a member of Mass Audubon's Action Network, we encourage you to join by filling out our online form or by e-mailing us. Membership dues provide vital support for Mass Audubon's advocacy work on Beacon Hill and across the state. If you are not already a Mass Audubon member please join today.
Legislative Tool Kit
Stay In Touch
Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them the environmental issues that are important to you.
Find out who represents you in the Senate and House.
Senate and House Sessions Go Live
Consistent with the theme that decision-makers act differently when they know they are being watched, House and Senate sessions are now available on live webcast. Tune in to view live web stream broadcastings of the Senate and House and watch as the Massachusetts legislative process unfolds!
Current Legislation
Access the text of current legislation, bill histories and Massachusetts General Law by visiting one site. We encourage you to visit The General Court's website frequently as it is an important tool for conservation advocates like you!
How to Lobby
Discover effective ways to convey your environmental interests to your Senator or Representative.
View Mass Audubon’s How to Lobby document, and get started now!
How the Law is Made
Learn about the steps a bill takes before becoming law. You can also use our graphic charts to guide you through the life of a bill, from when it is first filed, to when it is signed into law.
 Mass Audubon Advocacy
6 Beacon Street, Suite 1025
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-8448 (phone)
617-523-4183 (fax)
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