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As we continue to dig ourselves out of the record snow from the past month, climate policy and action around the state certainly hasn't slowed down. Last week brought a flurry of activity in the energy policy world, with the release of a revised energy bill moving through the State House. In just a few days we were able to get hundreds of messages sent to state Representatives, and turned out a mighty crew in person at the statehouse!
Keep reading to see the full update:
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Energy Policy: The Good, the Bad, and What Comes Next |
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Sierra Club volunteers, partners, and allies at the Statehouse last Thursday. |
Last week, the MA House of Representatives passed H.5151, the revised bill on Energy “Affordability”, Clean Power, and Economic Competitiveness. The 100-page House bill was released and through the Ways and Means Committee with a short vote window, just 45 minutes on Tuesday morning, before going to a full floor vote on Thursday. 🚨 While there are some notable wins included, this bill includes language to cut $1 BILLION from the cost-saving energy efficiency program Mass Save. 📢 With our grassroots advocacy partners, we set up phone calls, text banks, online actions, and more aimed at our State Representatives with the goal of preserving sections of the bill we supported and amending those we did not. ➡️ 17 House Reps voted for Amendment #113, proposed by Sierra Club and Rep. Uyterhoeven, which would keep Mass Save funded, but unfortunately it did not pass. |
Battery Electric Locomotives on the Providence Commuter Rail? |
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Did you hear about the recent decarbonization news in the transportation world? The MBTA announced that they are issuing an “request for proposals” to procure 10 new battery electric locomotives for the Providence Commuter Rail line and 10 new diesel locomotives at a significantly higher tier than the oldest in the current fleet. ✅ These locomotives will significantly reduce emissions and noise/vibrations for abutters. 🔋 This is the T’s second small step towards decarbonization of the commuter rail following the 2024 announcement of battery electric multiple unit pilot on the Fairmount line. 📰 Read more about this announcement in our recent blog post! |
Lowell & Everett: The Paths of Two Data Centers in Massachusetts |
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Are our communities ready for a data center? On March 2, 2026 two Massachusetts municipal Planning Boards, in Lowell and Everett, were debating this very question. Lowell, MA is home to the Markley Data Center, a 14 acre colocation data center that has been the source of pain for its residential neighborhood, while Everett is in the process of approving the Master Plan for an area known as the Everett Docklands Innovation District, the ~100 acre former ExxonMobil site. While both communities are in very different relationships with data centers, they find themselves on very similar paths... |
| Is your community ready for a data center? We believe that local decisions are our first line of defense to protect community members. What are the zoning allowances or restrictions? Does it account for water, air, energy, and noise? Are there residential buffer zones? Will this raise my utility bills? Initiating these conversations now can save a community from harmful impacts that may be the result of a data center in their city or town! |
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Boston Team Meeting
🗓️ March 12th at 6pm
📍 Chapter Office, Boston, MA |
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| The City of Boston is in the process of updating its Climate Action Plan. This presents us with an opportunity to have an impact on what climate actions the City prioritizes between now and 2030. Join us for a meeting of Sierra Club members and supporters in Boston to discuss the environmental issues affecting our neighborhoods and ways we can organize together to influence our city to take bold action! |
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What do the yellow pesticide flags mean? ⚠️ : A Talk with Dr. Rosemary Malfi
🗓️ March 25th at 5pm
📍 Virtual event |
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| Join us for a talk on everything you've ever wanted to know about commercial pesticide applications. Find out what are you rights pre- and post-application as a customer and neighbor. Dr. Malfi will present on enhancements to the application notification process that have been proposed by state Conservationist Pesticide Advisory Council (CPAC). |
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The (Still-Ongoing) Bird Flu Crisis: Its Impact on People and Nature
🗓️ March 26th at 7pm
📍 Virtual event |
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| Please join the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Plant-based Planet Team for a presentation by Dr. Cheryl Ruble on "The (Still Ongoing) Bird Flu Crisis". She will discuss how industrial animal agriculture contributes to avian influenza, resulting in health risks for humans and nature. |
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Postcarding Party for Environmental Progress in MA!
🗓️ April 2nd at 6pm
📍 Chapter office, Boston, MA |
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| Want to kick-off Earth month taking collective environmental action and meeting new people? Join us for postcarding in support of our 2025-2026 legislative priorities! We will give quick lightning descriptions of the top priority bills before we dive into taking action on PFAS, utility lobbying, large gas pipeline, state forests, and statehouse transparency. |
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