Signatures successfully delivered to Governor Baker on October 27 by a coalition of grassroots activists and organizations.

Activists from Save the Pine Barrens, Save Mass Forests, and other allies held a press conference at the Ashburton Park entrance of the State House, in which we voiced our concerns over the destructive ways that the State subsidies for solar power are being used by land developers to clear our forests. Calling the SMART solar subsidies program “Solar Gone Wrong,” we urged for a moratorium on ratepayer money being funneled into the program, so that the State can work to better finance, plan and permit solar on rooftops, parking lots, and landfills. After our press conference, we marched into the State House to deliver the petitions to the Governors’ Office of Community Engagement. Once there, we had a chance to discuss all of the destructive solar projects taking place across the State with representatives from the Governor’s office, and urge them for smarter solar siting. After we delivered the petitions, activists from across the state visited individual lawmakers’ offices to deliver the same message.

It was a great day at the State House and our message was received.

We could not have done it without you, so thank you for taking action to help promote smarter solar siting in Massachusetts.

Check out our Press Release below, and check out all of the media coverage we received on this important issue.

We have plenty of ways to take action!

Please read below for ways to get involved and make a difference in protecting your community.

• Volunteer! We have plenty of volunteer opportunities. You can:

• Write opinion pieces for newspapers
• Advocate for our cause on social media
• Make phone calls
• Hold signs
• Come to our standouts
• Take pictures for our cause
• Canvas from door to door
• Come to our meetings with legislators, help us call and write to them

If you are interested in volunteering, please email environmentwatchsoutheasternma@gmail.com

• Call local representatives and boards to voice your opinion of strip mining and solar operations in Plymouth County.

Wareham:

Call:

Town Hall: 508-291-3100

Email:

Planning Board: George Barrett, Chair – sraposo@wareham.ma.us

Conservation Commission: Sandy Slavin, Chair – asslavin@aim.com

Board of Selectmen: Judith Whiteside, Chair – jwhiteside@wareham.ma.us

Carver:

Call:

Town Hall: (508) 866-3400

Conservation Commission: (508)-866-3482

Emails:

Earth Removal Committee: Contact the committee via this form.

Conservation Commission: Contact the committee via this form.

5. Donate or Join our Group! Click here for more information.

6. Follow us on social media!

Senate Bill S.2596 – an Act Allowing Municipalities to Reasonably Regulate Solar Siting has been sponsored by Senator Joanne Comerford. This bill would ensure that communities have more power to regulate solar projects and make decisions based on what’s best for them.

Testimonies and statements of support for this bill can be found here.