November Node Meeting
Wednesday 11/15 - “Role of Forests in Mitigating the Climate Crisis”
Not all renewable energy is carbon neutral. Should our schools switch to pellet boilers? What would this mean for our forests?
350 MA-Berkshires is meeting on Wednesday, November 15 at 6pm (5:30 for snacks & conversation) at the UU Church at 175 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. We'll be joined by Beth Adams, Co-Founder of the Mass Forest Rescue Campaign. Beth will speak about the important role of intact forests in mitigating climate change. She'll also bring us up to date on a current threat to the Mohawk Trail, and legislation that could increase logging.
Join us to learn about the latest legislative efforts and events Statewide to increase support for renewable energy and decrease reliance of fossil fuels. Learn about the exciting Stand-UP Charlie Campaign, updates on the 100% Renewable Towns and Cities Campaign, and local hearings and events. We'll continue our letter writing campaign and plan other actions to support climate activism.
Every month our meetings offer an opportunity to network and work together in the growing climate change movement. If you've been concerned, or just curious about what's going on...JOIN US!
How to join the meeting remotely
We’re looking into enabling remote participation by members who are not able to make the meeting. Are you interested in this going forward?
You can tell the world you're coming and share with your friends on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/967673310037117/
What's Happening
Live in New England? Utility companies likely illegally raised your electric bills.
 Our electric utilities manipulated the market to increase profits. Now there is a class action lawsuit seeking refunds. See if you qualify!
If you receive your electricity bill from one of the utilities listed below, you were likely overcharged by the very utilities behind the scheme:
Eversource, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, NSTAR Electric Company
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, a national class-action and complex litigation law firm, has brought a suit against Eversource and other utility companies for allegedly charging customers artificially high electricity rates from August 2013 to July 2016. You may be able to sign on as a plaintiff in this case.
Read more...
Your help is needed to fight bad biomass regulations!
 We need your help today!
Massachusetts is on the verge of adopting new regulations that will undermine all the progress we have made opposing biomass CO2, toxic emissions and PM 2.5 particulates.
The new regs would provide massive subsidies for biomass boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) facilities that burn biomass. They would use ratepayer funds intended for clean, renewable heating to pollute our air, harm our climate, and damage our forests.
But before the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) can finalize this rule, the Massachusetts Legislature has an opportunity to weigh in.
Please take a moment to call your state legislators and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy TODAY and urge them to reject DOER’s regulations and demand a rewrite. They only have until November 15 to act.
For more information, please visit PFPI’s blog post: http://www.pfpi.net/massachusetts-legislature-should-put-the-brakes-on-bad-biomass-regs.
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WTF is...
RPS? (it's not Rock/Paper/Scissors)
 The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by law requires our utilities to include a minimum percentage of qualifying renewable energy in the electricity they provide. MA is one of 29 states with an RPS requirement. Eligible renewable energy resources include wind, solar, anaerobic digestion, and small hydro and must have been built since 1997. This promotes investment in new clean energy generators.
We’re need to raise the RPS 3% per year!
By current MA law, the RPS increases by 1% per year. The private electric utilities have reached a total of 12% clean electricity in 2017 (municipal electric utilities are currently EXEMPT from RPS requirements). But this is not enough to meet the Commonwealth’s emission reductions commitments enacted in the 2009 MA Global Warming Solutions Act.
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Do Something!
Four Freedoms Coalition Workshops
 Free & open to all
Saturday, November 18 at 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
350 Mass Berkshires workshop 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Four Freedoms Coalition and its partners (including 350MA-Berkshires) present workshops to help you learn about current challenges to our American values and active ways to respond.
Workshops will focus on environmental action, racial and social justice, and related issues. Special guests include State Representative Smitty Pignatelli and The Hoping Machine singers and musicians.
Monument Mt Regional High
600 Stockbridge Rd,
Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230
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