Making Our Case

Things have been rolling along in the Citizens vs. TPG Pipeline Public Case. For weeks now, young people from all over America have been riding the proposed pipeline routes, giving the Earth a voice through their presence and words.

People all over the Commonwealth, as you can see from the awesome posts from my co-authors, have been speaking for their communities and the resources beneath their feet. Even Boston heard about the pipeline when WGBH actually let Roberta Flashman ask Governor Patrick a question about the pipeline. I didn’t know if they would let a non-Bostonian speak, let alone a person who was going to put the Governor in the corner. But they did! And now, Mr. Governor, if you’d like a reminder of the document you signed, we can make it available to you. Those of us who are working against the Pipeline have really been doing their research, much more than me, I’m afraid.

So now comes the Tyngsboro/Dracut Rally in the Lowell/Dracut State Forest! Thanks to Better Future Project, the folks that brought us the Climate Summer Riders (Thank you! One and All!) there will be a great presence speaking for those towns, and the remainder of “We Blasted Towns.” It looks like solar power really wants to show its stuff, too, as the weather is calling for a glorious days for raised voices and heightened awareness!

Then, next week, scores of people will be at Boston Common for the Big Rally! Let’s make it hundreds, even thousands, on July 30 from 11-1 in front of State House. Let’s remind the government, both state and federal, that they work for voters, not for Kinder Morgan or any other corporation! Those corporations think with their wallets, and they don’t breathe air or drink water. They don’t care about our environment – they don’t live here, or really anywhere!

But the Rally can’t be the end of things. The TPG/Kinder Morgan pipeline project will be a spectre over this region until the time comes when energy comes from sun, wind and water. They will be waiting for people to get complacent, and maybe a little cold, and then they’ll raise those ugly heads of theirs. We need to be vigilant, active and involved!
Natural gas is a “bridge fuel to nowhere.” Like an oil-bearing train, it brings short term gain with long term costs, and a track full of danger along with it. It’s time to Change things up, and make sure that the future is considered, not just tomorrow, but for next year, and beyond.