Environment
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March 15, 2006 The Honorable Therese Murray, Chairwoman Dear Chairwoman Murray, I am writing to support H.B. 4670, An Act Relative to Safer Alternatives for Mercury Containing Products. Especially given the bill’s pragmatic approach to protecting our families from the dangers of mercury exposure, we cannot continue to ignore a public health issue with such far-reaching implications. As I am sure you know, mercury is a powerful neurotoxin linked to a range of developmental disabilities and long-term environmental problems. Presently, when certain products—thermostats, switches, and a range of measuring devices—are incinerated, mercury is released into the air and, through rainfall, into bodies of water. As a result, water and food sources are contaminated. Without taking sensible measures to curb the spread of mercury, related health problems will continue to mount. The bill in question represents a pragmatic approach to reducing the impact of mercury on the environment and, thereby, on our families. Similar to laws in Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, H.B. 4670 would slowly phase out high priority mercury products through the use of cost-effective alternatives. Consequently, mercury incineration could decrease by as much as 67% without creating a financial burden for companies or consumers. The legislation is responsible in terms of its financial, environmental, and public safety implications—I urge you to support it. Thank you for your time and consideration. If I can do anything at all to further endorse the bill, or be of service in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Steven A. Baddour |
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July 26, 2005 Dear Friend, I am writing to alert you to a piece of legislation I co-sponsored that will promote alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles by providing incentives for consumers, businesses, and government to invest in environmentally-friendly cars. The bill is meant to reduce long-term fuel costs and dependency while taking a groundbreaking step in environmental protection. In order for our bill to be effective, its coauthors and I decided to make the legislation as comprehensive as possible—not just encouraging the development and consumption of environmentally-friendly vehicles, but supporting the infrastructure necessary to reducing our dependency on conventional fuel. To that end, the bill will: provide businesses with tax incentives to build and commercialize hybrid vehicles; give financial benefits, including a $2,000 tax exemption, to consumers who purchase them; position state and local governments to lead the way in hybrid use; and establish an Alternative Fuels Institute at the University of Massachusetts. Only through a seamless integration of public and private sector initiatives will our vision be realized. The success of our efforts will depend on government support and, even more importantly, government’s leadership. In my role as Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, I have been working hard to expand public transit and, thereby, reduce the impact of commuting on the environment. Yet we can only truly address the environmental problems that will no doubt impact future generations through a holistic approach that includes hybrid cars. I am proud to announce that the bill mandates that 5% of all new fleet vehicles purchased by state agencies will use alternative fuel and that, by 2010, 50% of the fleet will use non-traditional fuel. The legislation will also bond $10 million for municipal governments and Regional Transit Authorities to build the fueling stations necessary to making hybrids practical. When I first entered office, I sponsored a bill that drastically strengthened our state’s environmental protection laws. However, guarding the environment must be about more than just enforcement—ultimately, our future will rest on the shoulders of innovation. Decreasing the Commonwealth’s reliance on gas-powered vehicles will lower fuel costs and dependency, benefit our environment by reducing emissions, and even provide the hi-tech sector with another avenue for growth. I am proud to have co-sponsored a bill that recognizes the link between environmental protection and technological progress. Thank you for your time and consideration. If I can be of service in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. Warm Regards,
Steven A. Baddour |
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July 28, 2003 Dear Friend, I thought you might be interested in learning that an exciting new environmental protection statute, which I introduced as an amendment to this year's budget, was signed into law by the Governor. The Environmental Endangerment Act, as it is now known, provides substantial financial penalties and prison sentences for persons or organizations that recklessly endanger individuals or natural resources. Massachusetts previously had no criminal statute that addressed serious bodily injury caused by environmental violations. I first proposed the Environmental Endangerment Act in conjunction with Attorney General Tom Reilly in December of 2002 but chose to re-introduce the measure as a budget amendment in the Senate due to the ongoing and urgent nature of environmental threats. Under the new statute, any individual that causes serious bodily injury to a person or a natural resource would be penalized with:
Any organization that causes serious bodily injury to a person would be penalized with:
Any organization that causes harm to a natural resource would be penalized with:
The Court would also appoint an independent expert with no prior involvement in the environmental management of the convicted organization to identify and recommend specific measures that the convicted organization must implement to prevent further harm. According to a published article, Adam Schafer, program director for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, has said that this Act is tougher than any he knows. "Those numbers, to my knowledge, are unprecedented," says Schafer, whose group of pro-environment state legislators tracks and writes environmental legislation nationwide. "As far as any other state goes, it would definitely set a precedent, I believe." During these challenging fiscal times, when other environmental safeguards are at risk, it is crucial that we do not slide backward in the protection of our natural resources. These assets are an invaluable part of the common wealth here in Massachusetts. As you know, the fight to protect our natural resources is an ongoing one. However, with the passage of this Environmental Endangerment Act we have taken an important step in ensuring that those who harm those resources are held fully accountable. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide you with more information or answer questions on this or any other matter. Best regards, Steven A. Baddour |
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Senator Baddour Announces Inclusion of Landmark Environmental Endangerment Act in Senate Budget May 29, 2003, Boston, MA - Senator Steven A Baddour (D-Methuen) announced today that the Senate approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2004 Budget (#467), which will create a new Environmental Endangerment Act. The Act would provide substantial financial penalties and prison sentences for individuals or organizations that recklessly endanger individuals or natural resources. Massachusetts currently has no criminal statute that addresses serious bodily injury caused by environmental violations. Senator Baddour first proposed the Environmental Endangerment Act in conjunction with Attorney General Tom Reilly in December of 2002 but chose to introduce the measure as a budget amendment due to the ongoing and urgent nature of environmental threats. “During these challenging fiscal times, when other environmental safeguards are at risk, it is crucial that we do not slide backward in the protection of our natural resources. These assets are an invaluable part of the common wealth here in Massachusetts and those that harm them must be held fully accountable,” said Senator Baddour Attorney General Tom Reilly, who developed the Environmental Endangerment Act after being unable to prosecute certain environmental violators due to inadequacies in state law, added, "I commend the Senate for its swift action on this important piece of legislation which sends the message that harming our environment is a crime in Massachusetts and will be prosecuted accordingly. We filed this bill in December recognizing the need to take this step to protect our environment and strengthen our ability to seriously pursue and prosecute those individuals and companies who recklessly damage our natural resources. Last month's oil spill in Buzzards Bay emphasizes just how necessary strong environmental laws are in preserving and protecting our state." Under the new statute, any individual that causes serious bodily injury to a person or a natural resource would be penalized with:
Any organization that causes serious bodily injury to a person would be penalized with:
Any organization that causes harm to a natural resource would be penalized with:
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