Greetings
Earthlings. Perhaps you recall back in those days of yesteryear we used to
refer to large-scale wood biomass as the Biomess, yes? That's 'cuz it truly is
a mess and this week we are going to focus on it like a solar-powered laser
with Laura Haight, U.S. Policy Director for the Partnership for Policy Integrity. Regular
Enviro Show listeners already know how the Gov and his Massachusetts Department
of Energy Resources (DOER) are busy promoting dirty biomass as "renewable
energy" but guess what? There's more! We'll get into all that presently,
as well as take you to visit this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and to poke fun at
His Malignancy The Mad King and his enablers. All that and more, but first it's time for..........Revenge
of the Critters! Another poacher
discovers jungle justice.....the hard way.
This week's
Fool-on-the-Hill is Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL 6th District) who apparently is on
the House
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for some reason. During a recent
hearing the fool pointed out, “The fundamental principle in addressing these
issues is that you have to fundamentally define the problem,” Palmer said. “If
you don’t properly define the problem, then the solutions you come up with are
generally going to be off the mark.” We thought the problem was pretty well
defined but he went on to disparaged climate science's “emphasis on
anthropomorphic impact.” You know, like Polar Bears constantly talking about
needing more ice......right?
On to the
reactionary MAGA zombies and their perceived King! It's official, the
Repugnican Senate confirmed
David Bernhardt, a
former oil lobbyist, as The Mad King's Interior Secretary in a 56-41 vote.
Three Democrats — West Virginia’s Joe Manchin, New Mexico’s Martin Heinrich,
and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema, (all coal states btw), crossed party lines to
vote in Bernhardt’s favor, along with Angus King, an Independent
from Maine who may suffer from those long Maine winters; maybe he has coal
shipped in from Arizona? Wait, did we mention Bernhardt is already being investigated
by his own department's watchdog group? Stay tuned for Bernhardt's first
damage reports as Secretary of the Interior. Opps!, our bad, he's
already doing damage! Bernhardt pushed a December 2017 legal opinion
declaring the 1918
Migratory Bird Treaty Act applies only when companies kill birds
intentionally. O, like a Purdue songbird processing plant? Wait......what?
Earlier this month His Malignancy signed
two executive orders that would put oil pipelines on the fast track to
success. These royal decrees are not to be confused with his
presidential permit we reported on last time that was aimed at allowing
TransCanada to sidestep the courts. And this: Ol' Aesop said “A man is known by the company he keeps” and that truly
applies to The Mad King; witness his bromance
with the fascist Bolsonaro of Brazil, a presidential climate criminal
presently engaged with destroying the Amazon Rainforest. Not-so-great minds
think alike! Finally this from The Trust for Public Lands: "Just last month, [His Malignancy] signed
legislation to permanently reauthorize America’s best conservation program—the
Land and Water Conservation Fund. However, just one day before, the Administration quietly proposed to virtually
eliminate the Fund in next year’s federal budget".
Get it?
Did we mention It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!? Sorry, but it is and "What will you say to your grandchildren?" That's a screed we all should read calling for "Deep Transformation". Last time we talked about a natural solution to climate disaster, you know like protecting and preserving forests, right? Here's another piece by George Monbiot that goes into more detail about Rewilding. Time to go to a show! This is your Must See for April. Now this: Bill H. 853 - amends Massachusetts’ Alternative Portfolio Standard (APS) by removing subsidies for wood-burning heating systems. The APS provides incentives for a wide range of renewable heating technologies, including solar hot water, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. Wood boilers generate more greenhouse gas emissions, fine particulates (PM 2.5) and other dangerous air pollutants than oil or gas furnaces, yet they are currently eligible for generous clean energy subsidies through the APS and other rate-payer funded programs. H.853 will protect our forests, our climate, and our health by removing subsidies for wood-burning and directing them instead toward truly clean renewable heating options that don’t pollute our environment. Sponsored by Representative Denise Provost 617-722-2263. Call giving your support and call your State Rep as well!
After our discussion with Laura we move over to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Friday May 3, 10:30 to 11:30am. Massachusetts Youth Climate Strike! Franklin: Greenfield Town Hall, Hampden: Springfield District Court, Hampshire: Northampton City Hall. As part of the global movement, youth from across Massachusetts will be striking on May 3rd to fight for our futures & demand that our lawmakers put an end to climate change. If you care about our future, please consider joining us! Go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/328996181137698/
Saturday May 4, 2 to 3:30pm. Sunrise Amherst Green New Deal Town Hall. Amherst Regional High School (Amherst, Massachusetts),21 Mattoon St, Amherst, MA. We will elevate the stories of people who stand to benefit from the Green New Deal and help everyone understand that the GND isn't about taking away cows or cars; it's about building things up and investing in the American people. We will begin by talking about the impacts of climate change and economic inequality, discuss who is responsible for the crisis, then discuss the Green New Deal -- what’s in it and what it means for our lives and our society, and close out with discussing what it will take to see the Green New Deal into law. This event will be led by young people from Amherst College and Amherst High School
Monday May 6, 6:45 to 8:15pm. Worcester Green New Deal Town Hall. YWCA Board Room• 1 Salem St, Worcester, MA 01608. Join us at this Town Hall to hear leaders in our community share about how the Green New Deal is the biggest opportunity of our lifetime to invest in the American people, and what that looks like for us. Contact Info: Cloude (cloudegazer@gmail.com) or Richard Schultz (schultz.ri@gmail.com)
Monday May 6, 7 to 9pm. Vandana Shiva : Northeast Earth Journey. First Churches, 129 Main Street, Northampton, MA. Free admittance to anyone 18 years old or younger. Go to: https://www.nofamass.org/events/vandana-shiva-northeast-earth-journey
Thursday, May 9, 8:00am-12:00pm. Pioneer Valley Smart Growth Summit –Gateway City Arts, 92 Race Street, Holyoke. Join us for a summit about how cities and towns in the Pioneer Valley can build stronger communities today in the face of the challenges posed by climate change and inequality. We’ll look at the built (and unbuilt) environment, including land-use and housing, climate adaptation, transportation, public health, and economic development. How can we break down silos to tackle complexity? How can we create a more nurturing and resilient community at the local and regional scale? Use this link to register for the event. View more about the event on Facebook here.
Thursday May 16, 1:00 – 3:00 pm. DOER Hearing on Biomass Rule Changing. URGENT! Many of us in the clean energy advocacy community are concerned that the proposed changes to these Massachusetts regulations amount to loosening of the definitions for qualifying biomass, and other weakening of restrictions, that will be environmentally detrimental. UMass Amherst Olver Design Building, Room 162, 551 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01003
Saturday May 18, 1 to 3:30pm. Day of Remembrance. Join a circle of friends to commemorate the 343rd anniversary of the Great Falls Massacre on May 19, 1676. Native and non-Native people are invited to share. Rain or shine. Good weather, it will take place outdoors in the back of the center. Otherwise, in the Great Hall. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/2278596382363478/
That's all folks! Remember to listen to your Mother, OK?
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