Boston, MA—Starting today, Gas Leaks Allies becomes Gas Transition Allies. Starting with five environmental organizations in 2015, the coalition has grown to over 25 organizations and researchers. The original focus was on the need to fix gas leaks that were wasting a resource and harming the environment. But now it's time to adopt a name that reflects the many aspects of the transition off fossil gas that we have undertaken.
Ania Camargo, founder and past coordinator of the coalition, pointed out, “Seven years ago, our goal was to decrease emissions by getting utility companies to repair their gas leaks, but the more we learned about the dangers of methane and the numerous negative impacts on people and communities, the more we realized that we needed to transition the entire gas system. Now we have promising non-emitting thermal energy alternatives such as networked geothermal, new climate legislation that encourages a transition away from gas, and relationships with state agencies, labor leaders, investors, utilities, and community leaders. We believe that working together, Massachusetts can show the way to a reimagined energy system."
Gas Transition Allies' notable accomplishments include and reach beyond the gas leaks focus:
- Supported gas legislation that passed in every session of the legislature since 2016, both to reduce the impact of leaking gas and to pave the way for transitioning off gas.
- Promoted the networked geothermal solution, a non-emitting thermal system, that supports the electric grid.
- Educated over 1000 people about hydrogen and RNG and why they are not the climate solution gas utilities claim.
- Published a comprehensive look at gas safety, Rolling the Dice.
- With publication of GSEP at the Six-Year Mark, triggered a legislative mandate for a Working Group to review and evaluate this program for accelerating gas pipe replacement.
- Supported legislation to allow redirecting GSEP funds to advanced leak repair and installation of networked geothermal without expanding gas service.
- Formed relationships with labor to support their need for funded retraining and just transition.
- Met with ethical investors to bring perspective about just transition of labor and why gas utilities need a new business model.
- Kept up a steady stream of public relations addressing gas utility disinformation, countering it with scientific facts.
“We’ve made these accomplishments in line with our values,” commented coordinator Joanie Parker. "By building respectful relationships and listening carefully, we’ve been able to develop solutions that change the system for the public good. We strive for layered solutions that achieve equity, fair labor standards, and healthy communities.”
The engineers, scientists, attorneys, community representatives, and concerned citizens participating in Gas Transition Allies conduct research and collect data. We have served the press as a resource with our collected facts, expertise on the Massachusetts energy landscape, and as an alternative voice to gas interests. We welcome your inquiries.
Our mission is to reduce methane emissions while advancing a rapid transition from gas to non-emitting renewable energy. Gas Transition Allies envisions a future with a stabilized climate, healthy, safe homes for everyone, and an energy system that makes sense for the 21st century.
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