Andra Rose: Moratorium on gas pipelines a collaborative effort

Thank you to Gazette reporter Emilee Klein for reporting on the Mothers Out Front Climate Action Call in “A case for ditching natural gas: Mothers Out Front aims to send a message to legislators, utilities,” [Gazettenet, Feb. 7].

We want to clarify a few points. First, we’re a nonprofit that mostly does education and works at the local level. We do periodically bring our priorities to the attention of our state legislators as we did at the action call covered in the article.

Second, opposing the expansion of methane gas pipelines is part of a collaborative campaign. Other groups that have been leading the call are Climate Action Now of Western Mass, Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, and Mass Power Forward. We need to transition to non-combusting, renewable energy rather than perpetuate a leaking and expensive gas pipeline system.

“Natural” gas — it’s really methane — pollutes our buildings and air and risks our safety and health and those of our children and grandchildren. The action call gave people the opportunity and the tools to support two state Senate bills that can make this transition happen: the Moratorium bill, S 2135, and the Future of Clean Heatbill, S 2103.

Andra Rose

Amherst