The Massachusetts legislature continued its trend of voting against amendments intended to protect constituents from the effects of fossil fuel burning facilities. This week an amendment from Senator Timilty of Walpole, which was similar to Representative Miceli’s amendment for our area, was voted down.


This legislative session is now over. Efforts will begin again when the session re-opens. Send Senate President Therese Murray an e-mail expressing your thoughts on the legislature’s responsibility to protect the health and safety of the residents of the Commonwealth, consistent with the vision that the Governor and his administration have laid out.


The Air Quality and Health Evaluation prepared by EH&E, the firm hired by Billerica to assess the health and safety impacts of the proposed plant, reveals many concerns with the proposal. An article in the Billerica Minuteman highlights some of these concerns.


Hearings at the EFSB have been re-opened; the first session begins on Wednesday, July 9th at 10:00AM at One South Station, Boston. These hearings are open to the public.


Interestingly, Montgomery Energy, the financial entity behind the proposed plant, has engaged the services of Scott Harshbarger, former MA Attorney General, for representation at the EFSB. This a curious move for Mr. Harshbarger given his chairmanship of the pro bono practice at Proskauer Rose and his previous record of public defense.