Public Outreach & Representation

FUTURE Act Legislative Hearing

In November 2019, members of SWAG attended and provided testimony during a public hearing chaired by the Joint Committee for Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, in support of the proposed FUTURE Act - an Act for utilities transition to using renewable energy. Using data from the Weston Gas Audit, SWAG's testimony focused on the impact gas leaks have on trees in our communities and the need for legislation to address this issue. 

An article was written in the December 5, 2019 issue of the Town Crier describing this testimony and the FUTURE Act.

Public Forum - Natural Gas: Triage and Transition

Members of Sustainable Weston Action Group met with the Select Board in September to discuss the final audit report and the next steps. In addition, a public forum was held in October of 2019, "Natural Gas: Triage and Transition" to discuss the impact of leaking gas infrastructure across Massachusetts, and propose both short term and longer-term solutions. 

Department of Public Utilities Public Hearing

Members of SWAG attended and provided testimony during a public hearing in June 2019 on establishing requirements for Uniform Reporting of Lost and Unaccounted-for Gas. Testimony focused on the process taken to understand the town's gas infrastructure, highlighting the need for increased regulation of gas leak measurement, maintenance, and management. 

Weston's representation was also joined by representatives from the Attorney General's Office, Conservation Law Foundation, Sierra Club, Home Energy Efficiency Team, Mothers Out Front, Emerald Necklace Foundation, and the communities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Wellesley, and Salem. DPU will have until the end of the year to provide its final ruling.