Jen Benson Releases Policy Paper on the Environment
Girls Hiking

October 1, 2008 — Jen Benson, candidate for State Representative in the 37th Middlesex District, has released the third of four policy papers that she is presenting to outline her positions on the major issues facing the district and the Commonwealth. The policy paper is entitled A Sustainable Future for our Environment and contains proposals on investing in the clean energy economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing access to public transportation, and promoting safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.

Benson is currently the Chair of the Lunenburg School Committee and is the Democratic nominee for 37th Middlesex seat.

"Choosing between a cleaner, sustainable environment on one hand and economic viability on the other hand, is a false choice," said Benson. "By pursuing clean energy alternatives and environment-friendly technologies we can grow the economy and create jobs while also producing a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren."

Benson's first proposal would protect the environment while boosting the economy and creating jobs by providing tax incentives to certified clean energy projects. "Massachusetts, with its combination of scientific, educational, technological and entrepreneurial resources, is in an ideal position to realize the next generation of alternative fuels and energy sources, and create thousands of high quality jobs at the same time," said Benson.

In the second proposal Benson describes several modifications to the recently passed Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based cap-and-trade system that has just been implemented in 10 northeastern states. "We need to expand this program to cover additional greenhouse gas producers, not just the electricity producers covered by the current program and we need to lower the cap on the number of allowances to achieve the level of greenhouse gas reduction that we need to slow global warming," said Benson.

The third proposal would increase access to public transportation by providing better parking and shuttle options, and by optimizing transportation schedules to reduce commute times. "We need to provide better options for people that truly want to use public transportation, but cannot," said Benson.

Benson's fourth proposal is to work towards passage of the Safer Alternatives Bill which would require companies to substitute safer alternatives for problem chemicals in products sold in the Commonwealth. The bill passed unanimously in the State Senate, but has yet to pass in the State House.

More information on Benson's campaign and downloads of her policy papers can be found at www.jenbenson.org.