August 16, 2018

Dear Editor:

Last month, our state legislature enacted a bill that will help Massachusetts lower its emissions of greenhouse gases and slow the climate change that has been causing or exacerbating devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, record-breaking wildfires in the West, and sea level rise that contributed to the flooding from which we’re still recovering here in Quincy. Continue reading →

March 27, 2018

On Tuesday, April 10, Quincy Climate Action Network will cosponsor, along with the Thomas Crane Public Library and the Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station, the new documentary film Wasted! The Story of Food Waste.

In the film, solid-waste experts, along with celebrity foodies such as TV chef Anthony Bourdain and writer Mark Bittman, discuss how Americans can help save money, lives, and the planet – and experience some great new dishes – by taking a more thoughtful approach to food.  The movie will screen at 7 p.m. at the library’s main branch at 40 Washington Street in Quincy.

Continue reading →

March 2, 2018

On Tuesday, March 27, Quincy Climate Action Network will cosponsor The Age of Consequences, a 2017 documentary film on the threat of climate change as seen by the US military (see the trailer here). The film will screen at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. All are invited, and admission is free. Also sponsoring the film are the library and Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station.

Continue reading →

Around the Commonwealth, more than 130 cities and towns have opted for community choice aggregation – pooling residents’ and businesses’ purchasing power to negotiate better electricity prices, and to lock in these rates, avoiding unpredictable price swings. Community choice aggregation (also known as municipal aggregation) is strictly voluntary; customers can easily opt out at any time. And best of all, community choice aggregation can be a key step on the path towards a more sustainable energy portfolio.

Cities opting for community choice can offer residents a renewable-heavy option for prices comparable to – or lower than – the local utility’s standard rate. (Arlington, which began aggregation last year, is now offering residents 50% local renewable energy for less than NSTAR’s basic service.)

If you’re interested in bringing this environmental, affordable option to Quincy residents, join QCAN in fighting for community choice aggregation. Together we can green our grid!

February 25, 2018

The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change released an ambitious omnibus bill on February 14. If enacted, the bill will keep the Commonwealth on track toward 100% renewable energy by 2050.  Attorney General Maura Healey has said Massachusetts needs 50% renewables by 2030 to meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act, so along with this bill, we will need to continue energy conservation and efficiency and increase renewable wind and solar with efforts like community aggregation.

This omnibus bill combines other, smaller bills into one package that can be passed together. Some of its most important features include:  Continue reading →

December 12, 2017

Dear Editor,

The Quincy DPW recently won a grant from the state that allows it to sell backyard composters for $25, half the previous, already discounted price. Whether you garden or just care about the health of our planet, I’d urge you to visit the DPW at 55 Sea Street weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and get yourself one of these great devices—or buy one as a gift. Continue reading →