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

[Diane TURCO]

Dear All-

The Senate Listened — Chapter 503 REPEAL NOT in the Senate Energy Bill!

Your calls, emails, and unwavering commitment to protecting our communities made the difference.

 

Because thousands of people spoke up, the Massachusetts Senate did not include the repeal of Chapter 503 of the Acts of 1982 in its energy bill, S.3143.

 

This is a significant victory for the people of Massachusetts and for every community that depends on the protections provided by Chapter 503.

 

Senator Julian Cyr and Senator Jo Comerford, who, through persistent advocacy, led the effort in the Senate with the support of other senators. They stood up for the people, defended our right to vote on major nuclear policy decisions, and championed the legislature's responsibility to protect public health and the environment with safety preconditions as codified in Chapter 503.

 

Please contact Senator Cyr at julia...@masenate.gov/617.722.1570 and Senator Comerford  at jo.com...@masenate.gov/617.722.1532 and thank them for leading the way and working closely with us to keep Chapter 503 on the books. Cheer them wherever they go!

Also contact Senate President Karen Spilka (karen....@masenate.gov)  and Senator Mike Barrett (mike.b...@masenate.gov) to thank them for advancing an energy bill that preserves the vital public protections of Chapter 503.

 

The Senate embraced the view that Massachusetts can meet its clean energy goals  by investing in the carbon-free renewable energy sources that are already delivering results—including offshore wind, solar, energy efficiency, and other renewable technologies—without dismantling the public protections on nuclear power plants established in Chapter 503.

 

The challenge is not over.

 

On July 1, the Senate is expected to vote to pass S.3143 without the repeal of Chapter 503.  Earlier this year the House passed its energy bill , H.5175 with the repeal of Chapter 503.  We must now focus our efforts on ensuring that repeal is not included in the final compromise bill.

 

S.3143 and H.5175 must now be reconciled.  A six-member conference committee, including 3 House members and 3 senators, including Mike Barrett and Representative Mark Cusack, is expected to negotiate a final version of the energy bill that will go forward for a full floor vote. We will soon ask supporters to once again contact their representatives and urge them to reject any attempt to include the repeal of Chapter 503 in the final energy legislation.

Thank You to YOU!

This victory belongs to all of you. Your calls, emails, persistence, and passion changed the outcome. Together, we protected Chapter 503 in the Senate thus far—and together we'll continue working to ensure those protections remain in the final bill.

We couldn't have done it without you. Your voices truly made all the difference.

Keep democracy alive! 

Diane 

Cape Downwinders

Commonwealth Coalition for Democracy and Safe Energy

[Diane TURCO]

The Massachusetts Senate just released a bill that will impact families, workers and the planet. The bill represents a major improvement over February's house bill, but still needs significant changes through amendments.

 

We are asking you to help make the dream of a renewable, accessible energy future a reality by encouraging your Senator to co-sponsor these key policies. 

 

Contact your Senator now. 

 

Our Priorities include: 

 

• Halting the expansion of the gas system and protecting workers
   
• Stopping utilities from charging us, their customers, for advertising
   
• Removing subsidies for burning trees to make electricity
   
• Protections from Data Centers
   
• And more!
   

With your action, we can turn these policy goals into concrete action. Thanks to your grassroots activism, we were able to stop a climate bill that would’ve reversed years of progress in November and take steps towards energy affordability in February. Now, we need your help one more time to bring it past the finish line.  Here is the full action guide with more context and the full list of priority amendments.

 

After you write your Senator, keep taking action by:

 

• Sharing this email with your networks
   
• Joining our full coalition call Monday June 29 at 5:30 PM - RSVP here
   
• Joining us in the State House to pack the Senate Gallery during the vote on Wednesday July 1 - RSVP here
   

Join us in pushing for clean, affordable energy and send your Senator the Mass Power Forward Priorities today. 

 

In solidarity,

 

The Mass Power Forward Planning Team