Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Manny Cruz meet with SAFE members
by Rob Bonney

As part of a statewide initiative by many climate groups, SAFE spent time with Representative Manny Cruz to advocate for the following priority bills whose fate will be decided this year:

• Future of Clean Heat (H.3203, S.2105)
• Electrification of the Commuter Rail (S.2217, H.3392)
• Energy Facilities Siting Reform (H.3187/S.2113)
• Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality for Communities Burdened by Transportation Pollution (H.2131/S.1382)

We are grateful for Rep. Cruz’s support of all of our priority bills. Each bill has advanced in the legislative process.

SAFE met with Senator Joan Lovely alongside Citizens Climate Lobby, Our Climate, 350Mass North Shore, and Jeff Cohen of Salem City Council. Collectively we advocated for the following bills:

• Future of Clean Heat: (H.3203 / S.2105)
• Zero Carbon Renovation Fund (H.3232/S.2365)
• Electrification of the Commuter Rail (S.2217)
• Indoor/Outdoor Air Quality (S.1382 / H.2131)
• Siting/Permitting Reform (H.3215, S.2113 / H.3187)
• Interdisciplinary Climate Justice Ed (H.496, Bill S.260)
• Polluters Pay (S.481 / H.872)
• Carbon Pricing (S.2080)

Senator Lovely was very supportive of all of the bills we asked her to consider. Most bills have advanced in the legislative process. The Siting/Permitting Reform, Polluters Pay, and Carbon Pricing bills have not advanced as of this writing.

SAFE will continue to monitor and report the status of these terrific bills.

Rob Bonney is a member of the SAFE board.