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Whose Green Economy? Ours!. QUESTION: What happens when labor unions, community-building orgs and environmentalists around MA unite over a common agenda? ANSWER: We build game-changing power!. Our Energy Systems: Making Us & the Planet Sick.
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Whose Green Economy? Ours! • QUESTION: What happens when labor unions, community-building orgs and environmentalists around MA unite over a common agenda? • ANSWER: We build game-changing power!
Our Energy Systems: Making Us & the Planet Sick Burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil degrades air and water quality, and causes severe heart and lung problems for many of us. Disproportionate burdens on EJ populations...
So It's Time to Get Green, Fast!! • 2008 in MA: A win for the environment • Global Warming Solutions Act - Ambitious Climate Targets. • Green Communities Act - Bringing Energy Advances Home. New efficiency standards and potential for great green job creation. • BUT WHO BENEFITS?
Inequity & Access Barriers • Low-to-moderate income, communities of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, renters -- difficulty accessing programs • Faced Many Barriers • Preweatherization $$ - e.g. old wiring • Upfront cost -- Just too much for people modest means! • Language • Trust - Need community partner • Landlord/Tenant Issues • AND - Are we tracking who is being served?
Some GJC Recommendations • Targeted (& Funded) Community Marketing, Mobilization • Tiered rebates -- different financial package for different income levels • Pre-Wx Funding: $ for knob and tube wiring and other issues re:old housing stock • Data: Track who is being served, esp. renters
Hang on a Sec -- How Do We Tell Our Story, Build Power? • Public Education, Forums, Barnraisings • Public Protest When Necessary • Public Hearings • Dialogue/direct meetings with contractors (Responsible Employer Ordinances, wages) • Dialogue with state + utility officials • Legislation + legislators • Energy Docket: Department of Public Utilities • Municipal Advocacy, Meetings, Programs • Research + Reports! • Art and Fun • Don't Forget to Party
Barnraising - Public Weatherization to Educate, Advocate, Celebrate
CMIs Confirmed Barriers Exist • Trusted, Funded Outreach WORKED • Pre-weatherization + upfront cost still blocked access in many cases! • Landlord/Tenant Barrier • Slow growth on local job-creation • Ongoing data issue
Ongoing Advocacy - Municipal Voices New Municipal Partners
2013 - Boston honors CPA/GJC for Energy Work (We're Still Partying!)
New 3-Year Plans + DPU Rulings • Efficient Neighborhoods+ • Pre-Wx Funding - Statewide • Landlord Incentives • Residential Barriers Group • New reason to go public - celebrate wins, promote the program, call for data access!
We're still going! Joel Wool, jwool@cleanwater.org 617-338-8131 x205