Martha recognizes that climate change is one of the most pressing moral issues of our time. In Washington, Martha will support policies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other pollution that causes climate change. She will fight to halt global
warming, support legislation that creates a national market-based program to reduce global warming pollution, and promote investments in clean energy.
Martha supports a national cap-and-trade program that will utilize a market-based approach to control
pollution. Martha believes that by providing economic incentives to industries for achieving emissions reductions, we can achieve superior environmental protection and give businesses both the flexibility and direct financial incentives they need to find
faster, cheaper and more innovative ways to reduce pollution.
In Washington, Martha will support the national Global Warming Pollution Reduction Program, proposed in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
Source: Campaign website, www.marthacoakley.com, "Issues"
Oct 1, 2009
Develop large scale utility-backed solar power projects
Attorney General Martha Coakley and Governor Deval Patrick today announced a commitment to jointly develop large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power installations through a new statewide entity operating in collaboration with the state's four
investor-owned electric distribution utilities. This plan will maximize the benefits of renewable power for ratepayers across the state authorized by the Green Communities Act and help meet Governor Patrick's goal of 250 MW of solar generation installed
in the Commonwealth by 2017.
"Development of solar generation through a statewide pool will drive down costs through economies of scale and spread the costs and benefits across the broadest base of customers," said Attorney General Coakley.
"Solar
power is a key component of our clean energy future," said Governor Deval Patrick; the project is "an innovative new model to bring renewable energy--and the jobs that come with it--across the state at the lowest cost possible."
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
Jul 16, 2009
Greenhouse gases are pollutants that threaten public health
Coakley submitted comments in response to the EPA's proposed determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. On April 24, 2009, the EPA formally issued its proposed findings that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping
gases are pollutants that threaten public health and welfare.
"In the face of the compelling body of scientific evidence supporting an endangerment finding, this long-overdue proposal constitutes a significant and meaningful first step towards
regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act," said Attorney General Coakley.
The EPA expressly characterized their proposed endangerment finding as a direct response to Massachusetts v. EPA, a Supreme Court decision which held that the
EPA could not avoid deciding whether greenhouse gases endanger public health on grounds of economics or foreign policy, but must decide based on the issues identified in the Clean Air Act.
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
Jun 23, 2009
Spent nuclear fuel is subject to terrorist attack
Attorney General Coakley's Office filed a brief in the US Court of Appeals, challenging a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decision denying a Petition for Rulemaking that Massachusetts filed in 2006. The Attorney General's Office requested that the
NRC address new and significant information regarding the risks of severe accidents in the spent fuel pools at nuclear plants, including Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee, caused by terrorist attack, human error, equipment malfunction, or natural disaster.
The brief was submitted jointly with the States of New York and Connecticut.
"Our appeal is intended to ensure that the NRC give due consideration on these important environmental and public safety issues," said Coakley. "While nuclear energy will
undoubtedly be a part of our regional and national energy landscape, the NRC needs to change its rules to ensure the agency adequately addresses the risks of severe accidents involving spent fuel storage pools caused by terrorist attack and other events.
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
Jun 6, 2009
