September 6, 2006
Goldberg’s Releases Climate Change Action Plan

Boston, MA — Deb Goldberg, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, today, released her Climate Change Action Plan to help cities and towns across Massachusetts reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement cost-efficient renewable energy measures.

State Representative Frank Smizik, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture said, “Deb is the strongest candidate on environmental issues that we have in the race for Lieutenant Governor. She helped lead her own community in developing an environmental action plan that will reap benefits for generations to come.”

“As a Selectman, I developed a true understanding of the scope and danger of greenhouse gases and climate change through local activists in my own community,” said Goldberg. “In 2000, Brookline established a Climate Task Force that, in partnership with the town’s Parks and Open Spaces Division and Climate Change Action Brookline, adopted a plan for the future,” she added.

Deb Goldberg, a fifth generation Massachusetts resident, has the skills and experience to help get the state back on track. Goldberg, whose family founded Stop & Shop, learned from the ground up how to run a company with 50,000 employees that provided quality health insurance and pensions to all employees—full-timers and even part-timers – with only a 1% profit margin.

Goldberg was elected to the Brookline Board of Selectmen in 1998. As Chairman from 2002 until 2004, she was responsible for the town’s $190 million annual budget. Under her leadership in tough economic times, Brookline (population 58,000), maintained a strong financial position and was one of the few communities in the state to add teachers, fire fighters, and police each year without costly overrides. Deb Goldberg, 52, lives in Brookline with her husband, Michael Winter, and their two teenaged children, Evan and Meredith.

CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN:

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to our way of life in Massachusetts. As we burn fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—we are releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) into our atmosphere and pollution that blankets the earth, traps in heat, and leads to global warming. Reducing CO2 emissions by expanding our use of energy efficient technologies and sources of renewable energy, including solar and wind power, is critical to controlling climate change. If we fail to act, the results will be catastrophic for generations to come.

Our health is also at risk. By 2050, climate changes could increase the number of heat-related deaths during a typical summer by 50%. Rising temperatures could also increase concentrations of ozone, a dominant component of smog and found to aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma, reduce lung function, and cause respiratory inflammation. Here in Massachusetts, ground-level concentrations of ozone already exceed national health standards.

As Lt. Governor, I want to partner with communities to help them make meaningful choices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these initiatives are cost effective, especially as gasoline and electricity prices have enormous cost increases. For example, converting city and town vehicles to hybrids as the fleet turns over will realize immediate cost savings. I hope to see Massachusetts become a member of The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and ensure that our cities and towns have the opportunity to take part in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.

As a Selectman, I developed a true understanding of the scope and danger of greenhouse gases and climate change through local activists in my own community. The Climate Change Action Brookline group held an educational symposium, and it was then that I began to understand the imminent danger for all of us. We, on the municipal and state level, can take a pragmatic and necessary approach to do our part in leading the way toward change.

Under my leadership, in 2000, Brookline established a Climate Task Force that, in partnership with the town’s Parks and Open Spaces Division, adopted the Five Milestone Approach recommended by ICLEI. First, we conducted an emissions inventory and report. Second, we set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 20% by 2010 based upon that report. Third, we drafted a Local Climate Action Plan, a comprehensive plan that described in detail the full range of initiatives that could be accomplished on the local level. The fourth and fifth phases involve implementation and monitoring. Today, many communities across the country are using our local plan as a model for their own environmental initiatives.

Here in Massachusetts, we have an opportunity to combat the causes of global warming and to be on the cutting edge of developing sources of renewable energy. I recommend that we as a state consider the following actions.

ACTION PLAN:

Commit to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: One of Massachusetts’ top environmental priorities must be joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cooperative effort of seven Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to control greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement includes the implementation of an emissions trading system and a requirement that electric power generators in participating states reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The accord will go into effect in 2009 and is designed to reduce CO2 pollution by 10% by 2019. It is unacceptable that Mitt Romney—after initially expressing support for RGGI—has withdrawn Massachusetts from the agreement. Instead, he proposed revisions to the “Filthy Five” regulations, which would protect power plants from stricter pollution restrictions. As Lt. Governor, I will urge our next Governor to immediately commit Massachusetts to the Regional Green House Gas Initiative and ensure that we fully participate in this critical environmental partnership.

Promote and Support Renewable Energy Projects: Massachusetts has the skills and capacity to lead in the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies. Our next Governor must provide both financial support for and leadership in the research, development, and implementation of new technologies. As Lt. Governor, I will be a strong advocate for responsible renewable energy initiatives, including solar, wind, and water power projects. As we invest in cutting edge scientific developments, the state must also be mindful of any significant negative environmental impacts associated with these projects and establish appropriate safeguards. In addition, we must ensure that Massachusetts and its people—not private companies—benefit from new clean energy technologies by enjoying lower energy costs and a better quality of life.

Support Green Building Initiatives: A key component of Massachusetts’ energy strategy must be investing in green building projects. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 30% of our country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Green building—also called sustainable building—is the practice of establishing more resource-efficient means of construction, operation, and renovation. Green building strategies improve air and water quality, conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and lower consumer energy bills. The state must take the lead by ensuring that the construction and improvement of state-owned facilities follow green building practices. As Lt. Governor, I will work with cities and towns to support and promote these building strategies in municipal buildings. In addition, I will advocate strongly for the expansion of state incentives for green building projects—including additional grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, tax credits, and other initiatives.

Establish a Sustainable Business Award Program: As Lt. Governor, I want to establish a sustainable business award program that acknowledges and honors businesses that have shown leadership on energy conservation and waste prevention. As we work to mainstream energy efficiency measures, it is important to publicly recognize the efforts of both large and small businesses that are leading others in lessening our impact on the world around us.

Partner with Cities and Towns to Establish Municipal Energy Reduction Programs: Local communities are on the “front lines” of solving the world’s environmental challenges; they are the first to confront critical issues like waste disposal and air and water pollution. One of my top priorities as Lt. Governor will be working with cities and towns across Massachusetts to limit municipal energy consumption. I will use my background in local government to support local conservation efforts. Our cities and towns can start by converting traffic signals to LED (light emitting diode) lights, which use 80 to 90% less energy than conventional bulbs. Our communities can also retrofit light fixtures for energy-saving fluorescent bulbs and install energy efficient windows in all municipal buildings to limit energy consumption. Actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions both combat climate change and provide local communities with financial savings, new jobs, and improved air quality.

Strengthen Automobile Emission Laws: As we work to develop our public transportation network, Massachusetts must also establish strict environmental standards for automobile emissions and fuel consumption. I will actively support legislation requiring that automobiles meet strict emission and fuel consumption requirements. California has set the benchmark for auto emission standards, and there is no reason that Massachusetts should not be doing the same.

Establish Energy Efficiency Education Programs: Educating the public about the importance of energy efficiency is critical to our long-term conservation work. As Lt. Governor, I will work with the Governor to establish energy efficiency education programs for students, consumers, and businesses. We must develop an innovative natural science curriculum for our public schools that actively engages students in conservation and energy efficient living early on. This new generation of young people will bring these lessons home to their families and ensure Massachusetts’ long-term commitment to environmental protection. In addition, we must also sponsor a proactive public education initiative to educate consumers about energy efficiency at home and at work. The result will be lower energy prices and reduced damaging greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, we need to make it easier for consumers to limit their energy consumption. For example, our next Governor and Lt. Governor must work with the legislature and partner with utilities to get “smart meters” in every Massachusetts home. By tracking how much electricity we use and when we use it, we will raise awareness about energy costs and encourage consumers to reduce consumption when prices are highest.

Expand Public Transportation Options: We can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making it easier and more convenient for people in Massachusetts to rely on public transportation. As Lt. Governor, I want to help upgrade and extend our rail lines, improve MBTA service, and work with our neighbors to connect inter-state rail services. I will work with our next Governor to revive stalled plans to extend commuter rail service into Southeastern Massachusetts down to Fall River and New Bedford and west to Springfield. We must also build the proposed North-South Rail Link, which would connect Boston’s North and South Stations and make train service more efficient for commuters and alleviate pressure on our subway lines. Massachusetts must also invest in electrified rail, which will allow for faster travel and reduce pollution. Finally, I will work with the MBTA to make sure our subway and commuter trains are clean, dependable, affordable, and accessible to everyone in Massachusetts.

Support the MBTA’s Urban Ring Project: The MBTA’s Urban Ring Project is designed to improve regional transit service by connecting the “spokes” of the T’s current radial system (Commuter Rail, Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Silver, and many bus lines). The “Urban Ring” is slated to lie between 1 and 2 miles outside downtown Boston and pass through the communities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Medford, and Somerville. In addition to protecting our environment by providing needed public transportation options, the project will dramatically reduce travel time, connect large residential communities to economic hubs, and support regional development. As Lt. Governor, I will work with state and federal entities to ensure that the appropriate environmental impact reports and the Urban Ring Project phases progress as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

Invest in Hybrid Vehicles: Investing in hybrid gas-electric vehicles, which cut global warming pollution by one-third or more, is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state owns a large vehicle fleet and must lead the way when it comes to investing in alternative sources of energy. I will work with the Governor to replace the state’s existing fleet with hybrid, electric, and other fuel-efficient cars and trucks. We can also drastically lower greenhouse gas emissions by making sure that our city and town governments do the same. As Lt. Governor, I will use my background as a municipal leader to work with communities across Massachusetts to help them establish alternative fuel vehicle purchasing programs, which will significantly lower fuel costs and protect our environment. I will also urge the Governor to offer significant tax incentives to individuals and businesses that purchase energy-efficient vehicles.

Press for Increased Federal CAFE Standards: State leaders must press the federal government to increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Despite a host of technological innovations, it has been 30 years since the federal government implemented the CAFE standards. And although American automakers have increased their vehicles’ fuel efficiency, domestic cars and trucks still trail behind foreign competition. I strongly support Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey’s recently proposal to raise the CAFE standards for both cars and light trucks to 33 miles per gallon.

Enforce “Filthy Five” Regulations: In 2001, the state issued strict environmental regulations that required Massachusetts’ oldest and dirtiest power plants to reduce their emission of pollutants by 50 to 75%. In December 2005, Mitt Romney announced a rollback of the “Filthy Five” regulations, whereby power plant owners can simply buy their way out of these pollution reductions. This loophole puts big business profits ahead of the consumer health and environmental protection and should be eliminated.