Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters Unanimously Endorses Mayor Tom Menino
For Immediate Release
September 18, 2009
For More Information Contact:
Lora Wondolowski
617/742-8822, c:413/695-2038,
Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters
Unanimously Endorses Mayor Tom Menino
MLEV Cites Menino’s Strong Leadership on Climate Change
Boston, MA-- The Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV), the non-partisan political voice for the environment, today announced its unanimous endorsement of Mayor Thomas M. Menino for reelection, citing his strong leadership on environmental issues that affect both Boston and the Commonwealth. A press conference to officially issue the endorsement was held at NEXUS Green Building Resource Center, a 9,000 square foot public center in Downtown Boston that provides free resources, events and a wealth of information on green building and sustainable design to the general public and the building industry.
“MLEV is proud to endorse Tom Menino for reelection, a mayor who understands the need to leave our children a healthy world,” said MLEV Executive Director Lora Wondolowski. “Cities are one of the largest contributors to global warming and we need mayors like Tom Menino who are strong, consistent environmental leaders.”
In his MLEV questionnaire, Menino cited taking action against climate change, creating a green economy, preserving and maintaining green space, and increasing recycling as his top environmental priorities. The mayor is also committed to promoting public transportation and biking as ways to increase our quality of life and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has cited the goal of “turning Beantown into Greentown.”
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, and I thank the organization for its support,” Mayor Menino said. “As a voice for countless residents of the Commonwealth on environmental issues, MLEV has a long history of holding civic leaders accountable. This endorsement recognizes the tremendous steps we’ve taken to prioritize climate action in Boston, and I look forward to building on this progress as we continue to green our city for all its people.”
Highlights of Mayor Menino’s Green Leadership:
• Mayor Menino was an early signatory to the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing Boston to meeting the Kyoto Protocol by reducing greenhouse gas emissions 7% below 1990 levels by the year 2012. In April of 2007, the mayor called for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.
• Boston requires the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards, not only for public construction, but for private development as well. In January of 2007, Boston became the first major city in the nation to require green building practices as part of its zoning.
• Mayor Menino set the goal of generating 25mw in solar power by 2015. Boston has developed an innovative online solar map to assist residents and businesses. Since launching this program, Boston has seen a 300% increase in installed solar capacity in the city.
• The city has increased its use of renewable energy from 8.6% to nearly 12%. According to the EPA, this as the largest green power purchase by a municipality in New England, and 7th nationally.
• All of Boston’s 600 school buses have been retrofitted with pollution control technology to reduce diesel emissions. Mayor Menino’s Climate Action Executive Order requires all new vehicle purchases to be hybrid elect or vehicles with similar fuel economy. Today, Boston has over 60 hybrid vehicles in its fleet.
• Working with Mass Audubon, Mayor Menino launched Lights Out Boston, a voluntary program to dim or turn out the lights of downtown buildings from 11 pm to 5 am during spring and fall bird migration. This partnership is a win for the birds and energy conservation.
• In 2006, the mayor launched an initiative to green the Boston taxi fleet with hybrids by 2015. Even though the federal courts have ruled against the city’s requirements, Mayor Menino is pushing in Washington to change the law.
• Mayor Menino has led efforts for open space and historic preservation. He has been a strong advocate for federal and state support for the Boston Harbor Islands, the Muddy River Restoration Project, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and neighborhood parks throughout Boston.
• Mayor Menino led the effort to make Boston Harbor a “No Discharge Area” under the federal Clean Water Act. Boston is now the largest urban NDA in the country.
• The mayor led efforts to create the Boston Energy Alliance, a non-profit organization that will help finance efforts to conserve energy in the city and increase energy efficiency.
• Using $6.5 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Mayor Menino recently launched Renew Boston, an initiative to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency upgrades of homes, businesses, and municipal property. The program will also initially create over 200 green jobs, through training and investments in the green-collar workforce.
Paid for by Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
