After a lengthy and heated debate behind the scenes and on the House floor, and many public and private meetings, the Brockton delegation was able to celebrate a major success in the fight against the proposed power plant in Brockton. Before today’s vote on the Green Communities Act of 2007, language which could have permitted the proposed power plant to be built regardless of local zoning laws was removed from the bill and sent to study. State Representatives Christine E. Canavan, Geraldine Creedon, and Tom Kennedy successfully lobbied the Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to remove language which they found harmful to the City of Brockton in the Energy Bill approved today by the House of Representatives, and that language will now be placed in study.
“I am so proud today to count myself as a member of this Brockton delegation. The united front we presented allowed us to work with Speaker DiMasi and Chairman Brian Dempsey [of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy] to remove this onerous language which we worried could be counted as a major victory for the proposed power plant. I have opposed the power plant from the beginning, and I am happy to stand against it in the Legislature. I will continue to oppose the power plant, and any proposed project for that area that does not benefit my constituents,” stated Representative Christine E. Canavan.
The Brockton delegation was concerned that the proposed language would have allowed the power plant to be constructed regardless of local zoning laws. Representative Geraldine Creedon stated “Local zoning laws are put in place for a reason. This language would have been disastrous in its attempt to circumvent that important process, which is why I, along with my colleagues, worked so hard to remove this language from the Energy Bill. This victory is an important step in the fight against the proposed power plant.”
The Green Communities Act of 2007 which was approved today takes important steps in conserving energy and rewarding communities for efforts to become more “green”. It also establishes long term energy goals which the Commonwealth will work toward, and promotes green energy at the state and local levels. “This bill is important, not only to the local communities and the state, but also to the region, and the country as a whole. To insert this language in this legislation goes against the very intent of this bill. I am very happy that our efforts, along with the efforts of many of our colleagues, were successful in removing that portion of the bill and sending it to study,” stated Representative Thomas Kennedy.
“I greatly appreciate the efforts of my House colleagues in removing this language from the House bill,” announced Senator Robert Creedon. “Their dedication to the fight against the proposed power plant is impressive, and now, with their assistance, I will work to ensure that this language does not appear in the Senate bill as well. Our ability to work together is what makes us so strong, and I am glad that we are able to unite and work toward the common goal of defeating the proposed power plant.”
