Environmental Legislation

Senator Resor is a strong proponent for the environment and has received many awards and recognitions for her efforts to protect and preserve the natural resources of the Commonwealth.  She currently serves as the Senate chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture (ENRA) where she has brought responsible leadership to environmental and land use issues.

Bills filed by Senator Resor this session:

AN ACT RELATIVE TO REDUCE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE

This bill would back up the Governor’s decision to sign Massachusetts on to the regional cap and trade program for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the generation of electricity.  The program would limit and then reduce the total carbon emissions starting in the year 2009. It would also direct funds received from the sale of allowances to be used in energy efficiency programs, directly mitigating electricity ratepayer impacts.

AN ACT RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS CONTAINING PHOSPHOROUS

This bill would limit the distribution and sale of dishwasher detergents containing phosphorous.  Phosphorous is a chemical contributing to the rapid eutrophication of rivers and ponds in the Commonwealth. Many towns in the SUASCO river watershed are struggling with this problem and its costly remedies.  In the past, the legislature acted to limit the use of phosphorous in laundry detergents.  It is now time to do the same for dishwasher detergents. 

AN ACT RELATIVE TO SALES TAX ON PESTICIDES

Pesticides and fertilizers have enjoyed an exemption from the Massachusetts sales tax.  The exemption was intended to support agriculture in the economy, but today it is a major loophole for suburban lawn services. Moreover, pesticides and fertilizers are now known to be a hazard to public health and the environment, and should not receive a free ride.  Farmers with an Integrated Pesticide Management Plan would continue to be exempt from the tax.

AN ACT PROTECTING THE NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH

Article 97 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth gives the state the authority to purchase land for public use. These lands have become an extensive and impressive network of parks. This bill would provide protection for our public lands by requiring other sites be evaluated before this land is developed and that if it is taken for development open land is purchased to replace it.

AN ACT TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION

Hydro electric facilities have played an integral part in the development of the Commonwealth. This bill would allow incremental and new hydro to be included in the renewable portfolio standard. It would also require utilities to sign long term contracts with renewable energy sources providing financial stability which would encourage their development in the Commonwealth.

AN ACT TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE GENERATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

This bill is a comprehensive update to the MA Renewable Portfolio Standard which would remove some impediments facing renewable sources of electricity. Updates include increasing the target to accommodate the inclusion of new hydro, creating  a second class for existing renewables, extending RPS through 2020, directing a minimum percentage to solar photovoltaic energy and making low emissions stoker biomass eligible for renewable energy credits.

AN ACT RELATIVE TO SUSTAINABLE BUILDING IN STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

This bill would require that all new buildings and major renovations which use state funds to meet certain environmental and efficiency standards which would lead to tremendous long term cost savings to the Commonwealth as well as a reduction in greenhouse gases.

AN ACT TO FACILITATE HOMEOWNERS REMEDIATING HEATING OIL SPILLS

This bill would require reasonably priced insurance coverage for homeowners with oil heat. The insurance would cover clean up and remediation in the case of an oil spill. The costs associated with clean up are too high for the average family. This coverage would prevent potential financial ruin due to an oil spill. In addition, it would require that home heating oil tanks meet certain environmental safety requirements to help prevent a spill from occurring.

AN ACT TO FURTHER PROMOTE BROWNFIELDS RAIL TRAIL REVITALIZATION OF CERTAIN DISCONTINUED RIGHTS OF WAY

In 2003, the Legislature added to the definition of economically distressed areas under Chapter 21E all former MBTA rights-of-way being used as rail trails.  This bill would further add the Executive office of Transportation to that definition.  EOT owns a number of discontinued rail beds that are being converted to rail trails, including the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE COMMISSION

This bill would create a special commission to develop a comprehensive long range water infrastructure finance plan for the Commonwealth and its municipalities. 

AN ACT REGARDING NOTIFICATION OF OIL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MATERIAL RELEASE

This bill would require lessors to notify tenants prior to signing a lease if the premises have experienced a release of toxic materials or oil contamination.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

This bill would create a special commission to develop a wildlife management plan to be made available to the public and wildlife managers to successfully co-exist with the following animals: beaver, muskrat, coyote, and moose.