State Senator Jamie Eldridge announced today that he will be co-chairing a new Green Economy Caucus at the State House to promote legislation that will foster job creation and sustainable development.
Eldridge and his co-chair, Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), formed the caucus as a way of bringing interested legislators together to learn about, discuss and advance policies that will support the development of, and investment in, economic sectors that seek to protect the environment and provide the jobs and energy of our future. The caucus will focus on a number of themes within the broad scope of the green economy: water, energy, clean technology, infrastructure, and food.
“Massachusetts is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the transition to a green economy because we have the talent, political will, and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to effect change. State government needs to find ways to encourage and support these green businesses and give them the best possible chance of thriving. Doing so is going to help us create jobs now while benefiting our environment, our economy, and therefore our citizens over the long-term. It really is a win-win-win strategy,” said Eldridge.
Senator Eldridge and Representative Smizik are the lead sponsors of An Act Establishing the Office of Clean Technology, which would help increase the competitiveness of Massachusetts’ clean technologies industry.
Eldridge pointed to a number of successful Massachusetts businesses currently working in the green economy, including Liberty Tire in Ayer, which recycles scrap tire and uses recycled tires to create rubber asphalt, Diamond-Roltran in Littleton, which creates parts for wind turbines, and Preserve Products in Waltham, which makes products from recycled plastics.
“Massachusetts has long been a hotbed of technological innovation. By working to support and further develop our thriving green economy, we can guarantee our position well into the 21st century,” added Eldridge.
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