MASSACHUSETTS SIERRA CLUB
10 Milk Street, Ste 632, Boston, MA 02108-4621 • Tel:(617)423-5775 • Fax:(617)890-0338 •

Welcome to the Massachusetts Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is the nation's oldest and most effective grassroots environmental organization. Here in Massachusetts, your local chapter has a 40-year legacy of protecting the environment with successful legislative, advocacy, and educational campaigns.

NEWSFLASH
Bottle Bill Update Passes in the State Senate.
Now it's Up to the House...

Last week, the State Senate passed the Bottle Bill Update as an amendment to the state budget! Thanks to you - and activists throughout the state - thousands of emails were sent to your State Senators. It's clear that their action was a result of your strong support! The next step in the process is that the House and Senate Budget will be reconciled by a joint conference committee. Again, we're asking you to take action by contacting your State Representative, asking him/her to urge the speaker to pass the bottle bill section of the budget. Click here to tell your State Representative to support the Bottle Bill Update!.

The Battle for
the Bottle Bill

If you missed Jimmy Tingle's Battle for the Bottle Bill event in Arlington, you can watch the show by clicking here

Plastic Bag Bans

Bag bans have passed in Brookline, Nantucket, Manchester, and Great Barrington. This has started an avalanche of efforts in all corners of the state. Read about Brookline's victory here and then visit www.banbags.org with information about implementing a plastic bag in your community - and beyond!
 

Solar for Homeowners
Now is the Time to GO SOLAR With the Sierra Club and Sungevityake advantage of Sierra Club’s Home Solar initiative with Sungevity. Solar costs have come down and government incentives have made the installion of solar panels a smart financial decision. You can now install a solar system on your rooftop for a fraction of what it used to cost. Within minutes after installation, you'll become a clean-energy producer, even selling power back to your electric company.  Click here to learn more. Special Offer - Sign up now and you'll receive a $750 cash gift card (and Sierra Club receives $750 as well!). Request your quote now and find out how solar is more affordable than ever.

Solar for Businesses
and Non-Profits
Switching to solar is an effective business strategy to save money and go green! The Sierra Club’s joint effort with EnergySage helps you evaluate options, get comparative quotes, and select the appropriate solar photovoltaic (PV) system for your property.  Click here for more.

Deflate Your Heating Bills
with a Heat Pump
Heat pumps can heat your new home and replace your aging oil or gas furnace, whether in a rural or suburban setting or in the city. Unlike solar, you can install them in the shade and keep your trees, and like solar, there are many tax credits and incentives - and the price is coming down. The other dividend is that you heat your home – not your planet. Click here to learn more. To let us know how we can help, contact energymasc@gmail.com

Celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the Wilderness Act

On September 3, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act. This historic bill established the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) and set aside an initial 9.1 million acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. Join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary, and participate in events throughout the region! While not all of the events are posted yet, the list will be growing over time. Visit to search for events near you or to post an event you will be hosting. Events will be diverse, including Walks for Wilderness, symbolic public walks, speakers, art and photography exhibits, video and film showings, musical events, and stewardship projects in wilderness. Click here.

NEW REPORT
2013: The Year of Transportation Funding?

This report reviews the sources of the MBTA's debt, dispelling the misconception it's a result of mismanagement, poor planning, and out of control expenses. Upon even the most basic investigation, one can see that the source of the MBTA’s debt problem wasn’t caused by any of these factors. The reality is that the Big Dig and longtime neglect to properly fund the system are the culprits. Prepared by Erica H. Mattison Click here to download the report

Beyond Coal Massachusetts

The coal burning plants in Massachusetts: Salem Harbor Station, Mount Tom (Holyoke), and Brayton Point Station (Somerset), are the largest air polluters in the Commonwealth. The Beyond Coal to Clean Energy Campaign in Massachusetts is focused on smart energy solutions that will keep Massachusetts healthy and free from unwanted dirty fuel sources. Join us in our fight against coal! Click here for more

Biomass Energy: Good or Bad for the Environment?

Biomass energy is the production of energy (electricity; liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels; and heat) from biomass. Biomass may be any organic matter including dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crop residues, aquatic plants, wood and wood residues, animal wastes and other organic waste, and construction and demolition debris. Currently in Massachusetts most biomass that is proposed to be burned is either from forest and timber products (woody biomass) or construction and demolition debris. Click here for more.

2013 Supported Bills

The Massachusetts Sierra Club is supporting wide range of bills in the new legislative cycle. Click here to view our list of supported legislation.