URGENT: Call today-Attempt to repeal state law in House Ways and Means

[Diane TURCO]

Dear All,

We need your voice today to stop the legislature from repealing the current state law that prohibits new nuclear reactors "construction and operation" without voter approval. Unfortunately, Governor Healey and state legislators are pushing to repeal this law because it is perceived as a "barrier" to new nuclear. In fact, the current law gives WE THE PEOPLE the democratic right to have a say in our safe energy future. This law is the guardrail to protect our communities and environment and needs to stay on the books.

 

1. PLEASE call the House Ways and Means as they rewrite the energy efficiency bill, H.4744, and leave a message. The secretary is keeping tabs. She said she is receiving so many calls, she had to start a spreadsheet! Let's keep up the pressure!
"Remove Sec. 80 from H. 4744 that would repeal the state law that gives us the right to vote on new nuclear in MA."

 

House Ways and Means 617.722.2990

 

2. Then please contact your state rep to contact HW&M chair to remove Sec. 80, too. Our reps need to hear from us, too, to represent our position to the committee.

 

Rep. Luddy- 617.722.2582

**Rep. Xiarhos [on the HW&M] -617.722.2488

**Rep. Diggs  [Vice-chair of HW&M]-617.722.2380

Rep. Vieria-617.722.2488

Rep. Moakley-617.7222.2080

Rep. Flanagan-617.722.2080

 

Rep. Badger (Plymouth) 617.722.2060

 

 

Chapter 503 of the Acts of 1982, An Act pertaining to nuclear power, also known as the “Nuclear Power and Waste Disposal Approval and Legislative Certification Act,” requires approval by the voters of the Commonwealth, and certification of certain findings by the General Court, as preconditions for the construction and operation of new nuclear power in MA.

 

We have the right to vote. Keep democracy alive! Let the people decide!

Please share widely.

peace, Diane

 

 

[Diane TURCO]

Dear All,

Rep. Sabadosa and Rep. Scarsdale have filed an amendment #31 to remove Sec. 55 from H.5151 that would repeal the 1982 law that prohibits new nuclear construction and operation without voter approval.

 

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5151/Amendments/House  Click on #31 for amendment

 

PLEASE contact to your state representative to sign on to #31 and then VOTE YES on #31 tomorrow when the full House votes. Please call your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Rep. Luddy- 617.722.2582

Rep. Xiarhos-617.722.2488

Rep. Diggs -617.722.2380

Rep. Vieria-617.722.2488

Rep. Moakley-617.7222.2080

Rep. Flanagan-617.722.2080

 

Rep. Badger (Plymouth) 617.722.2060

 

For all others:

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

 

Chapter 503 of the Acts of 1982, An Act pertaining to nuclear power, also known as the “Nuclear Power and Waste Disposal Approval and Legislative Certification Act,” requires approval by the voters of the Commonwealth, and certification of certain findings by the General Court, as preconditions for the construction and operation of new nuclear power reactors in MA. Amendment #31 keeps this law on the books.

 

It's our right to have a say in our safe energy future.

Please share widely!
Thank you, Diane

 

More info here:

https://mailchi.mp/138665728ca8/support-amendment-31

[Diane TURCO]

Dear all,

Thank you for all your calls! The  House Ways and Means Committee told us they received so many calls to remove Sec. 55, they had to start a spreadsheet. The committee receptionist said the calls were 100% to remove Sec. 55. Unfortunately, the bill came out of committee for a full House floor vote with Sec. 55 included. An amendment was added before the full house vote.  #31 [attached], to remove Sec. 55. was co-sponsored by Rep. Luddy and Rep. Flanagan who were the only Cape reps to sign on a co-sponsors. They deserve our thanks. 

But the amendment was bundled with a lot of other amendments and voted down on the floor vote. [attached] What a disappointment!

All our Cape reps voted for the final bill including Sec. 55. 

More on the vote in the State House News attached. 

Now we move on to the Senate. A lobby day is planned. Please let me know if you may be available to join us.

 

TOMORROW, Governor Healey's Nuclear Roadmap program will be on zoom at noon having been rescheduled from February. If you want to know what the state has for plans for nuclear, sign up. The state gave UMass Lowell $250,000 to promote nuclear under the guise of seeking input into our energy future. This is an attempt by the administration to convince us that new nuclear is the way to go. There is a link to the previous session here promoting SMRs and fusion.

Here is the link: https://www.uml.edu/sustainability/research/nuclear-roadmap.aspx

 

Also attached is the latest report by Dr. Gordon Thompson just released.

 

We need to keep up the pressure to keep our state nuclear free.

peace, Diane

[Diane TURCO]

 

Dear All-

                                     We need your voice today

 

Please contact the Senate Ways and Means Committee as they write a new energy bill and urge them to oppose any effort to repeal Chapter 503 of the Acts of 1982.

 

Chapter 503 protects the people of Massachusetts by requiring critical safeguards before any new nuclear power reactor can be built and operated in our state. It mandates emergency planning and effective radiation emission standards, and it requires legislative certification that these conditions have been met. Why would lawmakers give up their responsibility to ensure these protections are in place?

 

Just as importantly, Chapter 503 guarantees that Massachusetts voters have a direct say in whether a new nuclear reactor is constructed and operated. This is not an anti-nuclear law. It is a pro-democracy law that recognizes the public's right to participate in decisions that could affect our health, safety, communities, and environment for generations.

 

Governor Healey and some legislators are pushing to repeal this law because they see it as an obstacle to new nuclear development. But Chapter 503 does not ban nuclear power. It simply requires transparency, accountability, public oversight, and democratic consent.

 

If this law is repealed, Massachusetts residents could lose an important voice in decisions with far-reaching consequences. Chapter 503 is a vital guardrail that helps ensure that public safety, environmental protection, and community concerns are not sidelined.

 

                                             Please act today

 

Contact the Senate Ways and Means Committee and tell them to keep the law- Chapter 503 in place. Protect our right to participate in shaping Massachusetts' energy future.

 

Senate Ways and Means:   617.722.1481

https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/S30

 

Sample messages:

*Do not include any repeal of Chapter 503 of the Acts of 1982 in any legislation.

*The current law establishes reasonable and responsible preconditions for any new nuclear power reactor in Massachusetts, including legislative certification of public safety protections. It also preserves the public's right to vote on decisions that could affect our safe energy future.

*Chapter 503 is not a ban on nuclear power. It is a safeguard that ensures accountability, public oversight, and democratic participation in decisions with long-term consequences for our communities and environment.

*Chapter 503 must remain Massachusetts law. We expect our legislators to protect the people, uphold democratic rights, and safeguard the environment—not repeal these important protections.

 

Then contact your state senator to contact SW&M chair: 

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

 

Keep democracy alive! Let the people decide!

Please share widely.

Peace, Diane

*******************************************************************************************

Here is a petition to sign:

https://www.change.org/p/urging-senator-barrett-to-protect-mass-voters-right-to-decide-on-new-nuclear-power-plants?source_location=psf_petitions

[You don't have to donate to Change.org]

 

More on the law:

Chapter 503 of the Acts of 1982, An Act pertaining to nuclear power, also known as the “Nuclear Power and Waste Disposal Approval and Legislative Certification Act,” requires approval by the voters of the Commonwealth, and certification of certain findings by the General Court, as preconditions for the construction and operation of new nuclear power in MA.

[The 4 page law is attached]

[Diane TURCO]

Dear All,

Please sign on to this petition. It appears the link was not working so here is a refreshed link. Pass it on, too, as we would like to send to the Senate this week. [no need to donate to Change.org]

The bill will be coming out soon. Senator Cyr is fully supportive so send him thanks, too. We are waiting to hear from Senator Fernandes. Give him a call-617-722-1330.

Thank you, Diane

https://www.change.org/p/urging-senator-barrett-to-protect-mass-voters-right-to-decide-on-new-nuclear-power-plants?source_location=psf_petitions