Conservation Law Foundation
New Haven, CT | |
Region served | New England |
---|---|
President | Bradley M. Campbell |
Budget | FY2020: $15.7m in grants, donations, & earned income |
Website | www |
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is an environmental advocacy organization based in
Conservation Law Foundation is a
Structure and goals
With offices in every New England state, CLF works to solve environmental problems that impact the region's communities. CLF’s strategies of advocacy concentrate on areas of law, public policy, and science. CLF both defends environmental policy through litigation and petitions and creates it through legislative and regulatory advocacy.[1]
As a result, CLF works to bring local environmental concerns to the attention of legislators and policymakers, and serve as a resource for communicating these concerns throughout the region.
Notable achievements
Founded in 1966 to stop the development of ski slopes on Massachusetts' highest peak, Mount Greylock, CLF has since expanded its advocacy to address both environmental and community issues in all six New England states.
Traditional environmental advocacy
In 1977, the organization successfully fought the expansion plans for a federal divided highway through
Cleanup of Boston Harbor
In 1983, CLF sued the Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission (a division of the government of the state of Massachusetts) and the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up Boston Harbor, which had severely degraded water quality. The result of this and other litigation, including that of the City of Quincy, was to compel the state to comply with federal environmental laws and to build appropriate facilities to properly treat sewage discharged into Boston Harbor, and establish workable governmental mechanisms to finance the new facilities and pay for their continuing operations. The formation of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), taking over the water facilities properties, operations, and legal authority previously held by the Metropolitan District commission, is one byproduct of the litigation. The legal battle was most intense from 1983 into the 1990s.[2]
Community and transportation advocacy
CLF advocated for increased light rail and public transportation options in Boston, New Hampshire, and Maine. In a pre-suit settlement with CLF, state highway officials in Massachusetts agreed to implement measures to reduce air pollution, including rail and transit improvements, as part of Boston’s
Additionally, CLF advocated for state laws to protect children from the threat of lead poisoning. In 1988, following a three-year campaign by CLF, Massachusetts passed the nation’s toughest law to protect its citizens, especially children, from lead poisoning. More recently, CLF has continued its work to prevent lead poisoning in children by advocating for bills in New Hampshire and Vermont[4] that require testing of school drinking water sources.
First marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean
CLF and its partners played a critical role in the designation of the first
Climate change and energy advocacy
One of the focuses of CLF's recent advocacy is pushing states to invest in clean energy sources to mitigate climate change. In 1983, CLF took credit for the decision by the Public Service Company of New Hampshire, the largest electric company in the state, to abandon its plans for a second nuclear unit at
Later, in 2003, CLF claimed victory when the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection finalized a schedule requiring the Salem Harbor and Brayton Point coal-fired power plants to significantly reduce harmful emissions and comply with the "Filthy Five" regulations. Both plants have since shut down their operations.
More recently, CLF played a critical role in several states passing strong climate laws, known as Global Warming Solutions Acts. CLF also intervened to help the town of Burrillville, Rhode Island, prevent the construction of a large natural gas/oil-fired power plant – which would have polluted the area and contributed to climate change – from being built in the community.[6]
Recent and current projects
Boston Harbor public access and resilience
While the clean-up of Boston Harbor has been a success, today, it faces new threats, including sea-level rise and efforts by some private developers to block public access to what is affectionately called the People’s Harbor. CLF is working to protect the public’s legal right to access the harbor and ensuring that the area is made resilient in the face of increasingly severe climate impacts.[7]
Climate accountability
Exposés by
CLF launched the United States’ first legal action against Exxon for its climate deceit and for Clean Water Act violations at its oil storage facility in Everett, which sits on the Mystic River.
State-level climate mandates
CLF has worked with partners in every New England state to pass binding laws that require significant cuts in climate-damaging emissions by 2050.
Zero Waste Project
According to CLF,
References
- ^ "About". Conservation Law Foundation. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Valencia, Milton J. (August 6, 2016). "After 30 years, court marks Boston harbor cleanup". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Flint, Anthony (December 29, 2015). "10 years later, did the Big Dig deliver?". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Vermont Senate Passes Lead in Schools and Child Care Centers Bill". Conservation Law Foundation. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Andersen, Travis (September 15, 2016). "Obama grants federal protection to section of Atlantic". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Rhode Island siting board rejects Invenergy's 900 MW gas plant". Utility Dive. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "The People's Harbor". Conservation Law Foundation. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Banerjee, Neela; Song, Lisa; Hasemyer, David (September 16, 2015). "Exxon's Own Research Confirmed Fossil Fuels' Role in Global Warming Decades Ago". Inside Climate News. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Jerving, Sara; Jennings, Katie; Hirsch, Masako Melissa; Rust, Susanne (October 9, 2015). "What Exxon knew about the Earth's melting Arctic". graphics.latimes.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Living on Earth: Exxon Sued Over Climate Risks of Storage". Living on Earth. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Chesto, Jon. "Davis Cos. completes $72.5 million acquisition of nearly 100-acre Exxon tank farm in Everett". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Zero by 2050". Conservation Law Foundation. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Governor Mills Signs Critical Waste Bill". Conservation Law Foundation. Retrieved September 1, 2021.