Climate Action Call
Action Toolkit: October 14, 2021
SUMMARY
Why are we taking action?
Massachusetts gas companies are planning to pour $20 billion into new gas pipes designed to last almost a century. At a time when we should be investing in a just transition to clean heat, gas utilities are using ratepayer dollars to keep Massachusetts residents hooked on fracked gas.
In 2014, the Commonwealth embarked on the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP) - a plan intended to increase safety and reduce the emissions from our leaking fossil gas infrastructure. The program incentivizes replacing pipes over making repairs, and the gas utilities are sinking over $500 million per year into brand new fossil fuel infrastructure. With climate change accelerating, we can’t continue to waste time and money “enhancing” our fossil fuel infrastructure.
We need a new strategy - fix the biggest gas leaks, and invest in a rapid and just transition to clean, renewable, affordable heating.
TAKE ACTION
Take one or all of the following three actions to advocate for a better path forward.
ACTION #1 Email your Legislators
Follow this link to email both your state senator and state representative about the “Future of Heat” bill! Personalized emails are more effective, so please customize the provided template!
Our online tool will let you know if your legislator has already agreed to co-sponsor the bill. You will be prompted to email your senator first. Once you hit “Send My Email” you’ll get a new template for your representative -- and be sure to hit “Send My Email” again!
We are asking legislators to support “An Act relative to the future of heat in the Commonwealth”. If you need more info, check out the Fact Sheet here!
ACTION #2 Tweet Your Utility
Use your Twitter account to let the gas utilities know you want a swift and complete transition to clean heat. Feel free to customize our sample Tweets. Add a graphic to make your Tweet go further!
See what others have Tweeted by clicking here: #RedirectGSEP. Like, retweet, and follow each other!
TWEET #1 | TWEET #2 | TWEET #3 |
I want a GeoGrid! I want off of gas! Let’s use geothermal technology to provide clean, safe, affordable heating and cooling. My town is ready. @NationalGridUS @EversourceMA @EversourceCorp @BerkshireGas @MOF_Mass #RedirectGSEP | Every home in my community should have access to clean, safe, affordable heat. Gas is the past, let’s invest in our renewable energy future. @NationalGridUS @EversourceMA @EversourceCorp @BerkshireGas @MOF_Mass #RedirectGSEP | My block won’t block the GeoGrid. My neighborhood wants clean air and a livable climate. We have the technology! Let’s make it happen. @NationalGridUS @EversourceMA @EversourceCorp @BerkshireGas @MOF_Mass #RedirectGSEP |
> BUILD YOUR OWN TWEET!
Get creative, and write your own tweet! Just be sure to include, #RedirectGSEP and @MOF_Mass, plus one or more of the following gas utilities:
- Eversource: @EversourceMA @EversourceCorp
- National Grid: @nationalgridus
- Berkshire Gas: @BerkshireGas
ACTION #3 Spread the Word
No Twitter? No problem. Send an email to 5 friends to spread the word.
Do your friends and neighbors know their ratepayer dollars are funding a massive fossil fuel project? Simply open your email, and start writing! Not sure what to say, use the sample email below for inspiration.
> SAMPLE EMAIL
Dear Friends,
I am writing because I am deeply concerned about climate change, and I know you are too. I just attended a Mothers Out Front Climate Action Call, and what I learned shocked me.
Massachusetts gas companies are planning to pour over $20 billion into new gas pipes, and ratepayers are paying for it. At a time when we should be investing in climate solutions, gas utilities are spending our money on a massive new fossil fuel project. You can read more about it in the Boston Globe:
It doesn’t have to be this way. A bill is sitting in front of legislators on Beacon Hill right now that would redirect that money into clean, renewable, affordable heating technology.
I just emailed my legislators and asked them to support “The Future of Heat” Bill. Can you join me in taking action? More information and instructions for emailing your legislators can be found here:
https://mothersoutfront.good.do/futureofheat/senator/
Sincerely,