Climate groups host forum for State Representative candidates

On June 20, an unseasonably steamy night, three Newton climate activist organizations — 350Mass Newton, Green Newton, and Mothers Out Front — hosted a forum on climate and the environment for State Representative candidates at Newton’s War Memorial Auditorium at City Hall. Amy Sangiolo and Alex Jablon — the two Democratic candidates for the 11th Middlesex District House seat, currently held by State Representative Kay Khan — joined the three Democratic candidates — Bill Humphrey, Rick Lipof and Greg Schwartz competing for Rep. Ruth Balser’s 12th Middlesex District House seat. The two incumbent representatives will retire at the end of this year. Vladislav Yanovsky, the sole Republican candidate for the 11th Middlesex District, declined the invitation to participate in the forum.

Peter Barrer — a member of the Newton Conservators Board, Green Newton, and 350 Mass, as well as the author of the gas-leak study on the Newton Citizens Energy Commission website — welcomed the fifty or so attendees, introduced the candidates, noted the climate impact on audience, and introduced the forum moderator, Demie Stathoplos from 350Mass. She began the proceedings by explaining that the candidates would be asked questions in rotation order.

First Question

The first question to each was as a state legislator, “what experience, values and skills” would they bring to the legislative struggle to combat the climate crisis?

Newton City Councilor Bill Humphrey said that as a young person, he wants to “bring the climate emergency to the forefront.” He noted that the City Council recently passed his version of an Electrification Ordinance for Newton. Councilor Humphrey also advocated for the Green New Deal, which aims to bring jobs, benefit transportation and housing, and prevent economic stagnation.

City Councilor Rick Lipof highlighted his years of experience — twenty-two years on the City Council, as its recent vice president and former chair of the Land Use Committee as well as thirty-three years in real estate appraisal — as invaluable assets for the job of representing Newton. Among his achievements, he said helped to preserve open space at the 20-acre Kesseler Woods and recruit a developer for the Kesseler Housing project. He spoke of his advocacy for the MBTA improvements on Newton’s three Commuter Rail stations.

Greg Schwartz, a former Newton City Councilor who is both a physician and a lawyer, described global warming as an “existential threat” to humans. He said that as a primary care physician, he is accustomed to working with colleagues for the best possible outcomes. As a City Councilor, he worked with people of differing views. He said that having worked for legislators, he understands how the legislative process works. Rep. Balser has endorsed Dr. Schwartz’s candidacy.

Alex Jablon, the only candidate who has not served on Newton’s City Council or in elective office, works as an auditor for RTX. He said that he cares about the City and the Commonwealth and that climate change is the number one issue. He stressed the need for more transparency. Among his duties at RTX, he works to uncover corruption.

Amy Sangiolo was on the City Council for twenty years and served as its vice president. She said she has been an environmental advocate for thirty years, working with the Sierra Club in many areas, including its proposals for endangered-species and water laws. As a City Councilor, she co-sponsored the Tree Preservation Ordinance — a continuing area of her advocacy — and was an early supporter of the Community Preservation Act. She also created a nonprofit foundation providing money to Newton cultural and environmental projects. She is now actively involved in trying to ban PFASs — “forever chemicals” found in products such as artificial turf.

Second Question

The second question: What should be done about gas distribution and the ongoing issue of gas leaks and the money spent to repair them?

Amy Sangiolo called for an end to “wasteful spending” on new gas lines. Gas companies are spending millions of “rate-payer dollars” on systems that are destined to be obsolete. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) ruled that the Commonwealth needs to move toward electrification. She recommended that DPU have the authority to stop utilities from expanding their systems. She said that gas companies should be required to offer non-polluting energy options and assistance in neighborhood transitions. Ms. Sangiolo wants to incentivize the development of geothermal infrastructure.

Bill Humphrey acknowledged the profound challenge posed by gas leaks, given the aging, dangerous gas lines. It’s time to set deadlines for switching to electricity, he said. He said he ran for City Council to “say no to gas” and that it’s beyond time to keep fossil fuels in the ground and make resources available for people to switch to alternate forms of energy. He, too, noted that the DPU ruling made it clear there is no path for gas and that resources should be available only for repairs.

Rick Lipof declared that we should spend money only to fix leaks not on installing new gas pipes. He said that utilities should be forced to spend money on alternatives to gas. He advocates for deadlines and wants the focus to be on alternative energy sources such as solar. He also urged equity for underserved communities. Moreover, Mr. Lipof advocates for public input on the siting of power substations. “The world is on fire,” he said, noting the range of climate-related disasters as a reason to stop reliance on fossil fuels.

Greg Schwartz underscored the fact that gas is a threat to human health, noting that more than half of Massachusetts households use gas, thereby increasing fossil fuel emissions. He also noted last gas explosion in Newton last spring as an example of another serious threat. Dr. Schwartz urges banning gas from public buildings, and he proposes incentives to get people to change from gas to electricity. No money should be allocated to replace gas lines, he said. At the same time, he expressed frustration with the slow pace of Mass Save heat-pump installation service.

Alex Jablon noted again that he was someone with a finance background. Gas line repairs should only be for safety, he said. Mr. Jablon said that the state needs to move faster to fight the climate issues. He believes we need to fight the issue head-on to save the planet.

Third Question

The third question was: As a State Representative, what can you do to help communities meet the Commonwealth’s emissions and reduction goals in the building and transportation sectors?

Alex Jablon would expand eligibility for residential installation of non-fossil fuel energy sources such as solar panels. He advocates enhancing building codes. “We need to practice what we preach,” he said. Mr. Jablon supports more transit-oriented housing.

Amy Sangiolo said that 30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from existing buildings and 40% from transportation. To remedy the problem, she recommends a Green Bank for funding energy improvements in underserved communities. She wants emissions reporting and green gas reduction targeting from existing buildings and noted that she spoke in favor of Newton’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. She said that all public transportation, including school buses and the rail system, should rely on electricity, and she wants more community assistance for car-charging stations. Her particular frustration is the expansion of major highways, which defeats climate action goals.

Bill Humphrey urged more money for public transportation. He reiterated the climate and economic benefits of the Green New Deal projects. He also spoke to the needs of underserved communities. As to the ten Massachusetts communities in the pilot program allowing communities to ban fossil fuels in new development and major renovations, Mr. Humphrey hopes the program does not remain a pilot. Underscoring his familiarity with public transportation systems, he recalled childhood summer vacations spent exploring other public transportation systems with his father, a public transportation planner.

Rick Lipof expressed frustration with the public transportation system, explaining that several people told him their Charlie Cards did not work on trolleys and they were allowed to ride free of charge. He recommended a complete analysis to fix the system. He also spoke to retrofitting commercial and residential construction and wants BERDO to be in all 351 Massachusetts communities and urged public/private partnerships to expand the process. He predicted that technology will improve as we move toward 2050. At the end of the meeting, several members of the audience shared their experiences not having fares collected on the MBTA and Commuter Rail.

Greg Schwartz predicted the Commonwealth would not reach its emissions goals by 2050 unless we are more aggressive. As a Green Line rider, he acknowledged that the trains do not always show up, but “if you build it, people will come,” he predicted and spoke of an expanded, reliable public transit system. Dr. Schwartz also urged more assistance to underserved communities and said he believes housing should be tied to the public transportation system in those communities as well. Solar panels for commercial buildings would cost a fraction of transitioning to other energy sources, he said.

Fourth Question

The forum’s final question focused on the assertion that “Lack of transparency in the House makes it very hard for advocates to hold their legislators accountable” and asked, “Do you support the bills proposing changes such as posting committee votes on the legislature’s website within 48 hours of a vote, and that hearings be scheduled two weeks in advance so advocates can plan for meaningful participation in the legislative hearings? Why or why not?”

All candidates spoke in favor of transparency and allowing sufficient time for advocates and legislators to prepare for hearings.

Ms. Sangiolo noted that she started a newsletter in 2015 to let residents know what was happening in the city. She favors the two-week notice, but explained that sometimes emergencies occur, requiring immediate action.
Mr. Humphrey also sends out a regular newsletter and answers constituent questions directly. He plans “to come down hard” on advocating for transparency.
Mr. Lipof concurred about the benefits of a regular newsletter, but he suggested that a first-term legislator needs to build relationships and work with people.
Mr. Jablon said he will always be clear about why he voted and cited the late Senator John McCain, who always posted his reasons for voting on social media.
Dr. Schwartz wants to apply the Open Meeting Law to the state legislature, requiring that the public be able to attend all meetings. He said that if elected, he will continue Rep. Balser’s tradition of detailed monthly newsletters.

Kathy Pillsbury recorded a video of the event.

The candidates’ campaign websites are here:

11th Middlesex: Alex Jablon, Amy Mah Sangiolo
12th Middlesex: Bill Humphrey, Rick Lipof, Greg Schwartz

Ed. Note: We have corrected the first sentence of Rick Lipof’s answer to the second question.

Climate groups host forum for State Representative candidates

First Question

Second Question

Third Question

Fourth Question

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