What's New?

November 19 Presentations to the Full Commission

Two presentations were provided by staff at the November 19 Commission Meeting.  One of these presented a summary of BRPC's District Local Technical Assistance projects on municipal partnerships and land use/sustainability.

The second presentation presented zoning strategies to help communities address the as-of-right siting requirement of the Green Communities Act, while still maintaining a certain amount of local control over as-of-right projects.

The Effects of Climate Change

Climate Change has been a hot topic lately - showing up on the news, around the dinner table, and even in state law. The Global Warming Solutions Act was passed in 2008 to help Massachusetts achieve reductions in Greenhouse Gas emissions. The Act created the Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee to study and make recommendations regarding strategies for adapting to climate change. The Advisory Committee's report will be presented to the Legislature by December 31, 2009. Please click here to view a Powerpoint presentation shown to the Committee on the impacts of climate change in the northeast.

Proposed Wind Energy Siting Reform Legislation

Legislation has been filed (S.1504, H.3065) that would change the way commercial wind energy facilities are permitted. It is currently being considered by the Joint Committee on Telecommunitications, Utilities and Energy. BRPC has prepared a comment letter(10/28/2009) explaining its opposition to the legislation, and explaining the Commissions concerns. The legislation with BRPC comments is available here.

Please contact Nat Karns if you have additional questions about BRPC's comments on the proposed legislation.

---