Need Volunteer For State–wide Coalition re: Municipal Light/Power Commission elections, spring 2021

In 50 Massachusetts municipalities, electricity is provided by non-profit Municipal Light Power (ML&P) companies, most of which are run by elected Commissioners or Boards. They collectively control about 14% of the state’s electricity delivery systems — which the Commission/Board members can require to be generated from renewable sources.

ML&P elections are usually in the spring and usually attract relatively few voters. There is significant opportunity for a well organized campaign to win seats. Last spring, 350 Mass Action joined a state-wide coalition led by ELM Action, MCAN, and Sierra Club with the goal of recruiting and supporting climate-protection candidates. Of the four candidates who emerged, three won.

This spring, the coalition seeks to go big. ELM is assigning a full-time staff person; and they are again requesting 350 Mass Action participation. We need someone to attend their meetings and, once the candidates start campaigning, help connect them to appropriate 350 Chapters. It would be best if our representative lived in a town with a ML&P (see list & map below), but that’s not a requirement.

Interested? It’s a chance to make a big dent in the electricity market with relatively little effort! For more information, or to volunteer, contact Steve Miller () or Laura Burns ()

TOWNS WITH ML&P BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
Ashburnham, Baldwinville, Belmont, Boylston, Braintree, Chester, Chicopee, Concord, Danvers, Georgetown, Groton, Groveland, Hingham, Holden, Holyoke, Hudson, Hull, Ipswich, Littleton, Mansfield, Marblehead, Merrimac, Middleborough, Middleton, North Attleborough, Norwood, Paxton, Peabody, Princeton, Reading, Rowley, Russell, Shrewsbury, South Hadley, Sterling, Taunton, Wakefield, Wellesley, West Boylston, and Westfield.
State-wide Utility Service Area Map

Steven E. Miller
350 Mass Action, State Political Team
Movement Voter Project, volunteer