Published in the May 12, 2017 edition
BOSTON – The Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, of which Senator Jason Lewis is a member, is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Senate Clean Energy Future Tour – a new, statewide committee initiative on clean energy, climate change, and constituent engagement – will be making a stop in Melrose to hear from our region’s residents regarding their climate, energy, and environmental concerns.
The Melrose tour stop will take place on Monday, May 15, at 6 p.m., in the GAR Room of Melrose Memorial Hall, 590 Main St. It is free and open to the public.
Set to begin on May 8, the Massachusetts Senate Clean Energy Future Tour will consist of nine public hearings in various communities across the Commonwealth, from the Berkshires to the Cape, to hear the thoughts and suggestions of constituents and stakeholders on clean energy and climate change issues. In these public hearings, committee members will hear the questions and suggestions of residents regarding clean energy and climate action in a forum-based fashion. This input will aid legislators in crafting policy and implementing the proper legislation for Massachusetts.
“Massachusetts must continue to move towards a green energy future to build a sustainable environment, grow jobs and reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change,” said Senate President Stanley Rosenberg. “The Clean Energy Future Tour will allow the Committee to hear the thoughts and desires directly from our residents on how we achieve our energy goals.”
“The communities in our region have taken great strides at the municipal level to advance energy efficiency,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “This tour stop will be an invaluable opportunity for community members to discuss local best practices on energy and environmental issues, as well as share concerns regarding the impact of climate change and related issues. My Senate colleagues are eager to hear the stories that our local communities have to tell.”
Clean energy now employs 105,212 workers across the Commonwealth, an increase of 75 percent, or 45,000 jobs, since 2010, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s annual Clean Energy Industry Report. Clean energy employment in Massachusetts grew 6 percent between 2015 and 2016. The clean energy sector has become an important part of the overall Massachusetts economy, contributing $11.8 billion in economic activity in 2015. Over the last six years, Massachusetts has taken first place, among our 50 states, in the energy efficiency sector. And in the U.S. as a whole, clean energy jobs outnumber coal and gas jobs 5 to 1.
Real-time scheduling information, including dates, locations, and times of the hearings, can be found on the tour’s website at malegislature.gov/cleanenergyfuture.
Residents can also use social media to voice their thoughts and are encouraged to tweet their energy and climate ideas to the committee at @MACleanFuture and/or use the hashtag #MACleanFuture.
