FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2009
Contact: Dan Abrams, dabrams@masspowershift.org, (518) 527-9168
Craig Altemose, caltemose@masspowershift.org, (201) 845-7105
BILL IS INTRODUCED IN STATE LEGISLATURE BY THE LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN
[Boston, MA] An Act to Create an Repower Massachusetts Emergency Task Force will be introduced today by Representative William Brownsberger on behalf of The Leadership Campaign. The bill, which totals 6 pages, calls on the Commonwealth to assemble a taskforce to research what it will take to get to 100% clean electricity by January 1st, 2020.
The legislation was introduced today, December 7th, to coincide with the first day of international climate negotiations happening in Copenhagen, Denmark. The task force, chaired by The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (or his delegate), will include the following: The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Utilities and a member from each of the following eight communities: environmental justice, renewable energy companies, student climate advocates, religious organizations, environmental groups, utilities, business, and academics. The taskforce creates an advisory council that will remain active until 2020 to make recommendations to the government until the goal of 100% clean electricity is completed.
"The bill is a stepping stone to our goal of making Massachusetts run by 100% clean electricity in a decade, " Sarah Yoss, Campaign Coordinator at Tufts, said. "It is imperative we move away from dirty fossil fuels quickly and toward renewable energy. That's why we are only giving the taskforce this limited amount of time."
To celebrate the filing of this important legislation, participants of The Leadership Campaign re-created the famous portrait of the soldiers positioning an American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. They also held a "Get to Work" rally, calling on the state to "get to work" and find serious and comprehensive solutions Massachusetts can take against global climate disruption.
Last night, The Leadership Campaign held their 7th and final sleepout at the Boston Common. Approximately 80 people slept outside across the Statehouse. Unlike the previous six occasions, Boston Police did not stop by to issue any citations for tresspassing.
Reverend Yearwood, President and CEO of The Hip Hop Caucus spoke at the rally Sunday afternoon to offer inspiring remarks. "There will be young people who look back 49 years from now to what you're doing in Massachusetts and say thank you."
About the Leadership Campaign
The Leaderhsip Campaign is a project of Students for a Just and Stable Future, a network of students across Massachusetts calling for legitimate and bold solutions to global climate disruption. The Leadership Campaign calls on Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts State Legislature to introduce and pass the bill they authored, An Act to Repower Massachusetts. The Campaign is endorsed by the Massachussetts Council of Churches, Massachusetts Climate Action Network, The Sustainable Business Network and many others. For more information, please visit their website at: www.theleadershipcampaign.org, their blog at: http://theleadershipcampaign.wordpress.com and follow them on twitter: @thelcampaign.