Whose Green Economy? Ours!

Whose Green Economy? Ours!

QUESTION: What happens when labor unions, community-building orgs and environmentalists around MA unite over a common agenda?

ANSWER: We build game-changing power!

Our Energy Systems: Making Us & the Planet Sick

Burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil degrades air and water quality, and causes severe heart and lung problems for many of us. Disproportionate burdens on EJ populations...

So It's Time to Get Green, Fast!!

2008 in MA: A win for the environment

Global Warming Solutions Act - Ambitious Climate Targets.

Green Communities Act - Bringing Energy Advances Home. New efficiency standards and potential for great green job creation.

BUT WHO BENEFITS?

Equity in the System

Inequity & Access Barriers

• Low-to-moderate income, communities of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, renters -- difficulty accessing programs

• Faced Many Barriers

• Preweatherization $$ - e.g. old wiring

• Upfront cost -- Just too much for people modest means!

• Language

• Trust - Need community partner

• Landlord/Tenant Issues

• AND - Are we tracking who is being served?

Some GJC Recommendations

Targeted (& Funded) Community Marketing, Mobilization

Tiered rebates -- different financial package for different income levels

Pre-Wx Funding: $ for knob and tube wiring and other issues re:old housing stock

Data: Track who is being served, esp. renters

Hang on a Sec -- How Do We Tell Our Story, Build Power?

• Public Education, Forums, Barnraisings

• Public Protest When Necessary

• Public Hearings

• Dialogue/direct meetings with contractors (Responsible Employer Ordinances, wages)

• Dialogue with state + utility officials

• Legislation + legislators

• Energy Docket: Department of Public Utilities

• Municipal Advocacy, Meetings, Programs

• Research + Reports!

• Art and Fun

• Don't Forget to Party

Make the Issue Public (Community Forums)

Build Multi-Sector, Geographic Diversity

Bring Public Voice to Public Hearings

Research: Facts, Stories, Delivery

Barnraising - Public Weatherization to Educate, Advocate, Celebrate

Legislation: File Bills as Organizing Tools

Back to the Calendar: 2009 - 3-year plan guarantees CMIs

Community Mobilization - Chelsea

CMIs Confirmed Barriers Exist

Trusted, Funded Outreach WORKED

Pre-weatherization + upfront cost still blocked access in many cases!

Landlord/Tenant Barrier

Slow growth on local job-creation

Ongoing data issue

We Need Data To Ensure Equity:GJC files legislation (2011)

Ongoing Advocacy - Data + Renters

New Municipal PartnersOngoing Advocacy - Municipal Voices

2012 - CMI celebration - Chinatown

2013 - Boston honors CPA/GJC for Energy Work (We're Still Partying!)

New 3-Year Plans + DPU Rulings

Efficient Neighborhoods+

Pre-Wx Funding - Statewide

Landlord Incentives

Residential Barriers Group

New reason to go public - celebrate wins, promote the program, call for data access!

2013 - After new 3 year plans, GJC partied again in Chelsea

Roadshow for Efficient Neigborhoods+

We're still going!

Joel Wool, [email protected]

617-338-8131 x205