Environment Massachusetts kicks off public education effort for 100 percent clean, renewable energy

Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center

Boston — Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center will deploy dozens of staff this summer to neighborhoods across Massachusetts to educate residents about the feasibility of getting 100 percent of our energy from clean, renewable sources.

As part of a nationwide campaign reaching more than 1.3 million Americans, canvassers from offices in Boston, Cambridge, and Amherst will distribute 161,000 pieces of literature showing that the country has the technology and the resources to transition entirely off of dirty fuels to clean sources such as wind and solar.

“To have healthier and more vibrant communities right now, and a livable future for our kids, we need to transform the way we produce and consume energy,” said Ben Hellerstein, state director for the Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center. “We’re spreading the good news that 100 percent renewables is 100 percent possible.”

The effort comes as state leaders consider proposals to spend public money to expand gas pipelines. Advocates warn that building these pipelines could keep Massachusetts hooked on fossil fuels for decades to come, while diverting resources that should be invested in renewable energy.

A study from Attorney General Maura Healey’s office concluded that new or expanded gas pipelines were not necessary to meet Massachusetts’ energy needs, and that investing in energy efficiency measures would be a more cost-effective way to ensure a reliable supply of electricity.

Scientists believe that avoiding the worst impacts of global warming will require switching entirely to clean energy sources by the middle of this century. Dozens of major corporations, including Google, Coca Cola and Walmart, have already made commitments to 100 percent renewable energy, alongside cities like San Diego and Burlington, Vermont.

A recent Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center review of seven detailed studies of energy systems suggests there are no insurmountable technological or economic barriers to getting 100 percent of the nation’s energy from clean, renewable sources. Economists predict that we can build a 100 percent renewable energy system at costs comparable to or less than what we would have to spend to continue our reliance on dirty energy.

“Renewable energy has strong public support, and it’s already bringing major benefits to Massachusetts,” said Hellerstein. “Every day, the need to get off of fossil fuels becomes clearer. We urge state leaders to commit to 100 percent clean, renewable energy for Massachusetts.”

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The Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting Massachusetts’ air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help Bay Staters make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives.