A recent report from Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab studied the legislative lobbying process on Beacon Hill in Boston. The passage of the Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill is a success, but the opposition will still work to slow the additional legislation MA needs. The researchers provide key findings that are important for every climate activist to know.

Key findings from the report:

1. Four distinct industry coalitions lobby against environmentalists
2. Testimony in legislative committees is nine to one in support of climate action
3. On lobbying, clean energy advocates are outspent 3.5 to one
4. Renewable energy interest groups stick to narrow industrial interests
5. Utilities lobby against solar energy, but support large hydro & wind power
6. Utility companies are uniquely successful throughout the legislative process
7. AIM (Associated Industries of Mass.) lobbies and speaks against rapid climate action
8. The fossil fuel industry lobbies heavily against pipeline rules, divestment, and carbon pricing
9. The real estate industry resists residential energy efficiency bills
10. Power generators fight hydro and wind supply
11. Opponents no longer deny the reality of climate change, but focus on cost and reliability
12. Climate action is tightly controlled by State House committees and leadership

The reading list:

• A pdf of the report "Who's delaying climate action in Massachusetts?"
• Brown University's Climate and Development Lab
• Inside Climate News discusses the report

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre