Climate Justice

Christine is one of the lead sponsors on the State Level Green New Deal package that was adopted into the Democratic Party Platform in 2019. She has also been a vocal advocate for environmental justice and the intersection of issues like housing and transportation with our warming planet. Christine has secured funds to clean up local parkland along the Mystic River and filed legislation to improve access to public transportation, reduce gas leaks, and transition to zero-emission vehicles.

100% Renewable Energy

Issue
Despite the progress that we have made on clean energy in Massachusetts (today, we’re generating more than 240 times as much solar energy in Massachusetts as we did just 10 years ago), Massachusetts is still using too much dirty energy that is harming our residents health and our climate. We must do more to ensure that we are transitioning to renewable energy and we know that we have the resources available to do just that.

Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor and active supporter of H.2836, An Act Repowering Massachusetts with 100% Renewable Energy, which is an ambitious and comprehensive plan to set a goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035, and 100 percent renewable energy economy-wide (including heating and transportation) by 2045. I have continued to advocate for this bill and I have worked with advocacy groups to move this bill along.

Carbon Tax

Issue
As our climate worsens, CO2 emissions continue to be generated by our people. We need to disincentivize drastic use of CO2 and encourage the use of sustainable options. Putting a tax on carbon would generate revenue while we slow down our emissions.

Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor on legislation that would create a carbon fee that starts at $20/ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (co2e) burned and rises to $40/ton over five years.  Seventy percent of revenues generated by the fee would be returned to consumers and 30% would be invested in a Green Infrastructure Fund.  The fund supports renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, and resilience projects sponsored by municipalities and the state.

Fixing Gas Leaks

Issue
Gas leaks are far too common-- our state saw this first hand during the tragic explosions in the Merrimack Valley. Gas leaks have the potential to be quite dangerous, and ratepayers are charged for the lost gas. In addition, leaks contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, kill trees, and are dangerous to residents, utility workers, and first responders.

Christine’s Plan
This bill would require immediate repair of not only leaks that present an immediate public safety danger, but also those that are environmentally dangerous. It would also improve the data we have on where leaks are, and prohibits utility companies from charging ratepayers for lost gas.

Supported by
Mothers Out Front, Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), and the Conservation Law Foundation