Healthy Communities News

For the first time in the 16 years it has been pending in the Legislature, the Updated Bottle Bill got a favorable report today from the Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy (TUE) Committee.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued a report that itemizes how much cities and towns will benefit from updating the Massachusetts bottle bill, legislation which has been pending for years in the state legislature and is getting a big push this spring from a broad coalition, including the League of Women Voters, Mass Municipal Association, the Environmental League of MA, and many more.

Advocates claim major victory for public health and the environment

With a sizable pile of petitions in hand, campaigners from the staff of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) delivered over 12,000 signatures to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Laurie Burt earlier today.

Renewable energy sources can produce far more electricity than nuclear plants for less money, according to a new MASSPIRG Education Fund report, “The High Cost of Nuclear Power: Why America Should Choose a Clean Energy Future."

Boston. Today at the State House a delegation from Massachusetts organizations concerned with health and the environment announced their opposition to lifting the statewide incinerator moratorium The group says the Commonwealth needs more effective waste reduction programs, not more disposal sites.

The number of recalls of toys and children’s products is up 22% over the first half of last year, despite industry promises last year to solve the problems that made 2007 the “year of the recall,” according to a report released today. An analysis of Consumer Product Safety Commission data, included in the report entitled “Total Recall”, authored by the nation’s leading consumer groups, documents the rise in product recalls. The groups urge Congress to enact a “strong CPSC Reform Act” before the August recess.

With growing awareness of the trash, waste, and public health problems that come from throwaway containers, the Legislature is scheduled to consider updating the Bottle Law at 10:30am on Wednesday, October 31.

Statement of Janet S. Domenitz, MASSPIRG Executive Director, on the recall of 1 million toys manufactured in China that are tainted with lead paint:

BOSTON—Massachusetts has become the sixth state in the country to require tobacco companies to sell only ‘fire-safe’ cigarettes. The bill was approved by both the legislature in June and signed by Governor Romney on Saturday.

BOSTON—Massachusetts is poised to become the sixth state in the country to require tobacco companies to sell only "fire-safe" cigarettes. The bill was approved by both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor's signature.

BOSTON—The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security favorably passed the “fire-safe cigarettes” bill (HB 1914 & SB 1345) from committee today, taking Massachusetts one step closer to being the fourth state to enact fire safety standards for cigarettes, following New York in 2000, Vermont in May 2005, and California in October 2005.

The Campaign to Pass the Moakley Bill, a coalition of consumer, fire protection and public health organizations announced a revitalized effort to pass a fire prevention bill that would save dozens of lives and millions of dollars in property damage each year in the Commonwealth.

BOSTON—In a move that public health advocates have hailed as one of the strongest pieces of public health policy in Massachusetts history, Governor Romney signed into law the Statewide Workplace Smoking Ban which would eliminate smoking in most workplaces, including bars and restaurants.