Home - Sustainable South Shore (SSSh)

Sustainable South Shore (SSSh) is a multi-town advocacy group, 
(started in 2004 in Hull, south of Boston, MA) 
committed to helping area residents cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, protect the environment and live sustainable lives.


Sustainable South Shore President: Judeth Van Hamm, one@hullportside.net; 
Secretary: Pam Flattich  Treasurer: Sharon St.Ours.

Leadership Changes at the Massachusetts Climate Action Network   

For the past two and a half years, I have had the privilege of working with tireless advocates and committed partners, and in several powerful coalitions across the state and beyond on climate justice and energy justice.  

I write to you today to share that I am leaving my position as the Executive Director at the Massachusetts Climate Action Network for a mixture of personal and professional reasons.  I am departing MCAN on August 31 with an abundance of gratitude and joy for what we have accomplished during this time, a sample of which includes:

  • Getting the Next Generation Roadmap Bill over the finish line in early 2022 with requirements for a state-mandated “net zero” building code and working with legislators to put forward a climate bill this legislative session that advances environmental justice and equitable building decarbonization for the Commonwealth 

  • Expanding the community of advocates engaged in highly technical topics that will shape the future of our lives, including influencing statewide building code for requiring buildings that support our health and alleviate energy burdens; financing for retrofitting homes and apartments in environmental justice communities; and pushing for energy policies that accelerate energy justice in municipal utilities as part of the clean energy transition

  • Fighting the Peabody Peaker plant, which inspired the formation of 2 statewide energy justice advocacy groups focused on local and regional grid issues, and propelled MCAN to join policy discussions about changes to New England’s grid that will directly influence options available to local communities

Since I joined MCAN, we have worked to connect the overlapping issues of climate justice, housing justice and public health, with the strong support of the MCAN Board.  I have appreciated the MCAN Board’s leadership and commitment to centering equity and broadening the organization’s focus.  I know that going forward, MCAN is well poised to continue connecting these issues while continuing to nurture an expanding and inclusive climate movement.  

Towards that end, I am pleased to announce Logan Malik, MCAN’s Clean Energy Director, will serve as the organization’s Interim Executive Director.  For nearly two years, Logan has been an integral part of MCAN’s team, serving as the lead on the 2021 MLP Scorecard, the 2022 MLP Energy Mix Report and the Stop Peabody Peaker campaign.  Logan and I have worked closely to cultivate strong partnerships and center issues of climate justice and energy justice into all aspects of MCAN’s work and organizational culture.  He is well suited for the role of Interim Executive Director, given his background in community organizing and policy analysis, and his strong alignment with MCAN’s mission.  

MCAN Board President, Janet Harke Bowser, wanted me to share that “On behalf of the MCAN Board of Directors, I’d like to thank Sarah for the important work she’s accomplished in engaging, informing and mobilizing our chapters and coalition partners in advocating for local and statewide policies, regulations and action that help move us towards a clean and equitable energy future.  Sarah has been pivotal in leading MCAN’s on-going evolution as an equity-centered organization.  We wish her all the best as she pursues the next chapter in her career.  We look forward to continuing to work with Logan as he assumes the role of Interim Executive Director.”

I invite you to join the MCAN Board and Staff for a virtual gathering on August 25, from 4:30-6PM.  You will have the opportunity to meet MCAN Board members, for us to say farewell, and to welcome Logan Malik in his new role.   

Thank you for your tireless dedication to a fossil fuel free world, where buildings protect our health and communities, and where municipal utilities are leaders in climate and energy justice.  There is much work to be done.  I invite you to keep pushing for a livable, breathable future for all with MCAN, and I wish the very best for MCAN and our communities of advocates and partners in leading the way.  

Together we are powerful.  

On behalf of the MCAN Board and Team, I hope to see you on August 25.

With Gratitude,

Sarah Dooling
Executive Director
Massachusetts Climate Action Network


Clean Water Action Update August 2022

Legislative Session 2022 - Wrapped! Victories and Upcoming Agenda With legislators working through the night on July 31st to finalize the Climate Bill provisions, the formal Massachusetts legislative session has come to an end. While there is still much more to accomplish amidst the bills and amendments that did not make it over the finish line, we have victories to celebrate, an action for you to take immediately, and plans to share for where we’re going moving forward.

The big win for the environment and public health is the Climate Bill - H.5060: An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind. 

  • The Climate Bill H.5060: An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind, is a huge step forward for offshore wind in Massachusetts. It creates a Massachusetts Offshore Wind Industry Investment Trust Fund, gives preference to offshore wind bids from companies that invest in local manufacturing, and provides employment opportunities for underrepresented populations. The bill also includes provisions that require reporting of building emissions and supports whole building retrofits for low and moderate income households, which will help us to continue to reduce emissions as a state and  significantly reduce energy and water use for those who need the cost savings the most! The bill passed the legislature during the final hours of the formal session and is now on Governor Baker’s desk. Please write to him today and urge him to sign it into law!  

Clean Water Action and our members also called upon Massachusetts legislators to pass these bills which made progress but did not make it over the finish line:

  • An Act related to energy facilities siting reform to address environmental justice, climate and public health would have prevented polluting energy facilities from being constructed in environmental justice communities. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but it stimulated much needed conversation in the State House about the disproportionate burden placed on EJ communities when it comes to energy production in The Commonwealth. 
  • An Act to Improve Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality for Communities Burdened by Transportation Pollution would have addressed the high asthma burden that occurs disproportionately in communities of color by expanding outdoor air monitoring for the most common and dangerous pollutants in pollution hotspots, setting ambitious air quality targets, requiring air filtration in facilities such as child care facilities, schools, and hospitals, and updating the state sanitary code to improve mold enforcement. The air quality bill received a favorable report from the Public Health Committee. 
  • Four bills to get toxic PFAS out of consumer products–including food packaging and firefighters' personal protective equipment–and a bill to require manufacturers to disclose toxic chemicals that are added to children's products were reported favorably out of committee and received strong commitments from legislative leaders to take action in the next session.
  • In addition, the legislature allocated funds for the remediation of PFAS contamination and for a whole building energy efficiency retrofit pilot in Gateway Cities. 
  • A bill to protect public land from development passed the House and the Senate and is still in a conference committee; we are joining partners in pressing the committee to finalize the bill in an informal session.

We will continue to work with our partners on the ground to increase air monitoring in Environmental Justice communities, ensure the cumulative impacts of polluting facilities are considered in decision-making processes and fight for safe products in our homes and workplaces.

We are thankful for your messages to legislators and support that laid the groundwork for these and future victories. 

Let’s keep up the good work!
Elizabeth Saunders
State Director



~ South Shore Eco Fest was April 29, 2022 ~ Cohasset, Hingham and other South Shore Towns
https:www.just1bag.us/basic-01 


~SSSh Website Updates; Suggestions or to volunteer to help update the SSSh website, email  nancy@sustainablesouthshore.org .


From Judeth Van Hamm

350 MA/Sustainable South Shore participants and affiliates--
We had a small third-Tuesday 350 Mass/Sustainable South Shore meeting via Zoom on Dec. 21 2021, at 7 pm. According to a show of hands
 at our last meeting and a couple of phone calls I have received, I expect to see co-chair Steve Wenner, Jason Clement from East Bridgewater, 
and Doug Henry, who has offered to help lead our work on legislation.  I am also inviting Mark Dyen from the State Steering Team to discuss
his offer to make a future presentation to our Node. We talked about our future work, including--
1. Running our meetings
2. Working on legislation
3. Getting to 100% clean energy on the South Shore
4. How participation in 350 Mass and Mass Climate Action Network can work together
5. Outreach to teachers and discussion of where to go from here.  
6. HullTV2.com climate movies
7. Working to stop the proposed Peabody peaker power plant
8. Getting approval of municipal aggregation.
Thank You for holding a positive thought of gratitude for a peaceful Earth with a healthy climate, clean air and clean water, and all its species. Judeth

(Volunteer, Gene Wyatt, Kingston)
                
                                *****************
Check out the SSSh Town Chapters Links (at left).  PLEASE update your Town Information by sending an e-mail to nancy@sustainablesouthshore.org.    Learn what each SSSh Town is working on and has accomplished. Use the info. to help start projects in your own Towns. Solar and Wind projects; Community Gardens; DEP Idle Free Campaign (see link at left); Local Fisheries; Farmer's Markets, Expos and much more!! 


South Shore Annual Fall Solar Tour -see Oct. 2022 National Solar Tour Link www.nationalsolartour.org   

A huge Thank You to So. Shore Participants!


Hull Wind: https://hullwind.net/  

MA Offshore Wind update  https://www.ge.com/renewableenergy/wind-energy/offshore-wind/haliade-x-offshore-turbine 

(need more current websites for this topic); send to nancy@sustainablesouthshore.org)


                                        **************************************

Zoom Meetings of 2020 and 2021 focused on: Sharing progress towards 100% clean energy in each of our communities so we can learn from each other. Sharing reaching out to publicize through print and social media

Sustainable South Shore-350 Mass South - For Meeting notes/updates or to be added to the SSSh e-list. Contact Judeth Van Hamm, one@hullportside.net Progress on our communities’ commitment to work toward 100% clean energy: Creating a publicity campaign that includes: Working with newspapers, cable stations and social media; letting people know our communities’ progress and successes in clean energy on the South Shore; Climate forums for local political candidates; Features on homes with renewably powered heating in our communities; Showcasing clean energy at community fairs; Oct. South Shore Green Energy Tour as part of National Solar Tour.    

Sharing expertise and working together on: Solar power; Wind power; Other sources of Power; Green Communities program; Municipal energy aggregation; Solarizing and HeatSmart campaigns; Micro grids, batteries, electric vehicle charging stations; Solar-powered mobility networks; Getting supportive legislation passed; And a data base to see our progress. Watch for emails and Web page news on related virtual meetings coming up. Updates letting people know our communities’ progress and successes in clean energy on the South Shore; Climate forums for local political candidates; Features on homes with renewably powered heating in our communities; Showcasing clean energy at community fairs; Watch for emails and Web page news on related virtual meetings coming up.

Other Featured Websites:   

Solarize Mass: Solar for Your Home or Business

http://www.solarizemass.com GreenCommunities: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/map-summary-green-communities.pdf .
South Shore edible
 Go Green Web Directory  www.gogreenwebdirectory.com 

2019 SSSh Meetings and Events   Nov. 7, 2019. Sustainable South Shore/350 Mass South Shore Fall quarterly 100% Clean Energy meeting was held 11/7/19, Introductions & Update on each community’s work to get to 100% clean energy by 2030 or chosen date. Mass Power Forward Coalition training on building power and achieving our Environmental Justice and Legislative Action priorities.  Planning South Shore events for coming year  July 30, 2019 SSSh Meeting: One of the topics included organizing participation in the National Solar Tour. Contact Judeth Van Hamm (emails above) to add your contact info. for the latest info. and with further organizing of the 2019 South Shore Green Energy Tour. on Oct. 5th and 6th, 2019.  Ideas for homes and businesses for open houses in your community. Solar, air source heat pumps, geothermal, solar hot water heating, etc..

 ~ Report on progress in your community on working toward 100% clean energy.  Discussion included: Steps for creating a data base on clean energy in your community; Working with energy auditors, examples: NEECO https://neeeco.com/start-your-energy-savings-with-a-no-cost-energy-audit, HELPS https://www.munihelps.org/ Build community network to encourage audits.   Opportunities for working together; Legislation report; Making opportunities to meet clean energy vendors.   

                                           

Please Note: Current Climate Change daily, weekly and monthly e-news information, from various sources. To sign up your own e-mail address to get Climate Change e-News - Click on the websites that interest you below and sign up! 

Better Future: www.350ma.org  ~ Clean Technica: www.cleantechnica.com ~ Clean Technica Wind: www.cleantechnica.com/world-wind-power ~ Commonwealth Magazine:; www.commonwealthmagazine.org ~ Earth 911: www.earth911.com ~ EcoWatch: www.ecowatch.com ~ Energy Resilience: www.resilience.org ~ Environment Massachusetts:  http://www.environmentmassachusetts.org/home  ~ Green EnergyTimes: www.greenenergytimes.net ; http://geoharvey.wordpress.com ~Green Energy Consumers Alliance: https://greenenergyconsumers.org/ ~ The Green Life Weekly: www.sierraclub.org ~  Mass Audubon Beacon Hill Roundup: www.massaudubon.org  ~ Mother Jones Econundrums:  www.motherjones.com ~ Think Progress: https://thinkprogress.org/  ~ Union of Concerned Scientists www.ucsusa.org ~  more to be added! Send in suggestions!

SSSh Past Goals 1. Connecting school green teams.  2. Climate strategy on the South Shore. Making the big picture local. 3. Making “sustainable living” a household phrase in your community.  1. School Environmental Clubs Goal: Work with schools to help create a network of school staff, students and communities to inspire each other. Please reach out to the schools in your community to find school staff who advise environmental clubs and/or work with students on recycling or other environmental issues.  E-mail Judeth Van Hamm at one@hullportside.net with names and contact info. for the schools you find that are interested.. 2. NEW Sustainable South Shore Towns: If you are just starting to network with other people in your community or are regrouping, let us know whom you have found to work with. The goal is to have at least two or three people working together in each S. Shore community. Judeth will help you connect with people in your community. Contact Judeth Van Hamm at: one@hullportside.net 3. Make "Sustainable Living" a Household Word  Add your e-address to Judeth's SSSh e-list: one@hullportside.net .

Some Past Projects and Meeting Highlights: Winter 2018 Meeting, 2/29/18: at N River Community Church, Pembroke.  Forum:  Steps, Costs, Funding, Saving; Municipal Solar on Landfills, schools, parking lots for electricity and hot water; Municipal buildings energy efficiency; Electric vehicles, school buses, charging stations. Sponsored by Sustainable South Shore and 350 Mass;South Shore; Winter 2016 Meeting, 2/29/16: at Hingham High School. Thank you to Hingham High Vice Principal Rick Swanson for hosting and to Hull High science teacher Sheila Blair for helping. A Tour of the greenhouse, recycling and compost operations began the Meeting. Other Schools were invited to participate.Summer 2015 Meeting, 8/24/15; Thank you to Mary O'Donnell and everyone involved with the Meeting at Greenway Farm, Kingston, MA. For more information see: www.greenway-farm.com and www.nofossilfuel.com .


Annual Winter SSSh Project: The SSSh Thermal Imaging Camera, purchased a few years ago with Sustainable Living Expo (Hull) proceeds, is available for SSSh Town Chapter Leaders to borrow and use. To reserve/ details, email Judeth Van Hamm at one@hullportside.net . 


Click on the Expo links (at left) for info. on the past annual 2004 - 2012 Sustainable Living Expos, held in Hull and Marshfield, MA to get ideas about how to plan and organize a similar event in your own Towns.

Sustainable South Shore engages in: 
>Creating a vision of a sustainable-community; >Research and analysis; >Developing consensus through education, publicity, discussion, and events; 
>Initiating, supporting, and implementing sustainable projects, including sustainable air, water, energy, and bio-system projects; >Endeavoring to practice principles of global sustainability in our own lives. We seek common ground, helping people feel deeply connected to Earth, knitting together individuals, families, groups and institutions, and creating the emotional and spiritual support of true human community to achieve sustainability. 
> Chapter of MCAN since 2004.




Subpages (2): Idle Free Campaign Volunteer Resources
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