I’m proud to announce my endorsement of Steve Grossman for governor! As an elected official who cares deeply about ensuring that Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in the fight against climate change, I believe Steve is the best candidate to turn our shared renewable energy vision into reality.
Steve has a proven track record on issues of sustainability, environmental protection, and energy efficiency savings. He can make the case credibly to the business community that while some of these policies may be more expensive in the short-term, over time, they are both good for the environment and also smart business.
Steve’s own fourth-generation family business, Grossman Marketing Group, continues to thrive and grow each year, and it is playing an active role in contributing to the growth of the clean energy sector. In 2007, the company set out to be the gold standard of sustainability and began producing products with 100% certified wind power. In addition, the company has been an industry leader with recycled paper and vegetable-based inks, and any leftover ink used at the printing company is sent to a recycler where it is mixed with other waste to form a low-grade heating oil.
Steve also has a track record when it comes to financing environmentally sound projects. As State Treasurer, Steve made Massachusetts a national leader when we became the first state in the country to sell green bonds. Last June, we sold more than $100 million in bonds to 154 individual investors and 29 institutions.
Steve understands that in order to remain on track for meeting our critical GHG emission goals in 2020 and 2050, we must also reach out to low and middle–income residents to ensure we don’t only focus on those living in affluent communities. As governor, he will use public-private partnerships to help make energy audits affordable and available to every low and moderate-income family. Encouraging all Massachusetts residents to participate in energy savings programs is essential to meet or exceed our energy efficiency goals.
Raising our voice and demanding change from corporate America can also make a significant impact. As chair of the state’s pension fund, Steve joined a group of 70 institutional investors who control $3 trillion worth of assets, and are challenging some of the world’s largest oil and gas, coal, and electric power companies to be honest with us about their business practices with respect to climate change.
Lastly, Steve led an effort by the PRIM board to revise its proxy voting guidelines in 2011 by incorporating a provision that requires PRIM to vote against the management of companies that engage in environmentally unsound practices.
For Massachusetts residents who view climate change as a central issue of our time and want a governor who will aggressively build on Deval Patrick’s commitment to sustainability, Steve Grossman is the best choice. He has the progressive vision, values, and track-record to prove it!
A progressive leader endorsing another progressive leader. Between Lewis and Smizik, seems like Grossman’s the pick for those who care about the environment.
But I am confident that next to Berwick, he will be a capable and progressive Governor. I do think that both of these candidates have a strong commitment to the environment, though it must be said that the casino industry has a bad track record on respecting the environment and we shouldn’t be taxing the poor to protect our environment.