ENVIRONMENT

Our natural resources are held in public trust for all citizens and future generations, and no investment in the future of our district rivals investment in alternative energy, public transportation and environmental conservation.  As a member of the Sierra Club, I care about the environment deeply and respect the work of organizations that fight to protect it.

Our district suffers disproportionately from pollution, traffic and want of open spaces.  As Senator, I will fight to protect our communities’ open spaces, provide immediate assistance to communities affected by the serious health hazards, promote improved mass transit solutions and environmentally-conscious planning to reduce our dependency on automobiles, build more affordable housing near transit and job centers; and fund innovative incentive-based programs for encouraging alternative transportation use.  I will also strongly support Environmental Justice legislation to empower our communities to direct their own environmental future.

Air Quality

Air quality and traffic reduction are critical issues in our district.  Diesel exhaust compounds, carcinogenic toxic soot, poison the air that our residents breathe.  Communities that are located near highways are disproportionately affected, with Somerville and Chelsea experiencing the highest citywide mobile pollution, with higher than average lung cancer and heart attack rates despite lower smoking rates.  These areas have seen a 100% increase in childhood cancer and asthma, and 500% more children do not develop full lung capacity compared with neighboring towns.  The rate of hospitalization for children under four with respiratory problems is 54% higher than surrounding communities.

I support legislative measures that will ensure mapping of the dangerous concentrations of toxic fumes and targeted air quality relief measures to protect these communities.  I will also support An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives for Toxic Chemicals to establish a pragmatic, gradual approach to reducing toxic chemicals throughout Massachusetts.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is critical to elimination of our dependency on automobiles.  I was disappointed by the recent set-backs to the expansion of public transportation in Somerville, the state’s most densely populated city, which has nine rail lines going through it, but only one stop.  As Senator, I will advocate for and sponsor legislation increasing funding for rail-based public transportation as the most environmentally sound policy and the best investment we can make to keep our transportation system most responsive to population increases.  Only with transit improvements can our cities and towns facilitate the concentrated development that promotes smart and sustainable growth for the region.  This will result in improved community health, environment, and quality of life.  We need to expand service and halt MBTA rate increases, because they disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities.

Energy

I will promote clean, renewable energy sources, which offer non-polluting, economical, and durable alternatives for generating electricity, through development incentives and through increased publicity bringing attention to the critical task of reducing our dependency on fossil fuels.  I support requiring that, by 2020, 20% of the power generated by Massachusetts utilities come from clean, renewable energy sources.  I will vote for increased funding and support for energy efficiency, improved green building standards, and the development of renewable energy projects including Cape Wind.

I strongly believe that our environmental challenges are our economic opportunities.  Cambridge is already booming with businesses that recognize, value and capitalize on the urgent need for environmentally sound products, services and development.  We can and must do more to plan for the future of our state and region.  Our natural wealth of talent should be fostered and supported by the state.  As Senator, I will work hard to foster partnerships with the area’s colleges and universities to develop and grow alternative and efficient energy projects and developments throughout the district.  Cultivating such development will serve the twin goals of protecting our environment while encouraging graduates to remain in the state and significantly grow our tax base and position Massachusetts as a leader in these areas.

Open Spaces

            There is a great need to preserve open space for the future, including habitat, parks and wilderness areas for recreational and wildlife needs, and productive agricultural lands.  I support full funding of the Environmental Bond and parks budget and legislation to increase protection of Article 97 lands in the Commonwealth.   The sale or transfer of public lands and waters needs to be limited to extreme circumstance and be accompanied with appropriate replacement measures.

Drinking Water

At least fifteen Massachusetts cities and towns have lost their drinking water due to contamination. The budget to protect our watersheds has been slashed to 50% since 2004 alone. Meanwhile, problems such as MTBE and/or perchlorate contamination, pesticide runoff, and a large number of highly toxic solvents threaten the drinking water of many more communities. I support increasing the budget to protect watersheds and for MA DEP to provide technical assistance and prevention activities.