Our virtual 2022 Annual Report

THIS IS ELM

We think systemically and plan for the future.

We are driven by the potential of our work to impact future generations. We see the connection between all things: people and planet, policy and social justice, environmental and economic health. We think critically about intersectionality and the complexities of cause and effect.

We are strategic and ambitious.

We are motivated by the enormity of the challenges we face and by Massachusetts’ potential to lead the world. We are science-based, data-driven, and results-oriented. We choose priorities based on their impact on the Commonwealth and their potential to be adapted and scaled.

We prioritize equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.

We recognize that bias, racism, classism, and privilege determine who has power. We use our influence to help remedy the harm caused by centuries of environmental racism and to build a more equitable future. We are dedicated to anti-racism and to reckoning with our own biases.

Partnerships are at the heart of how we work.

We believe that trust is the foundation for progress. Our strength is rooted in our relationships. We convene varied stakeholders to forge common ground. If we disagree, it is with respect. We listen carefully, consider divergent perspectives, and operate with integrity.

The Environmental League of Massachusetts advocates for policy that meets the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges.

The ELM Action Fund builds political power that meets the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges.

Our Team

Casey Bowers, Action Fund Executive Director
Leigh Chandler, Communications and Events Manager
Nancy Goodman, Vice President for Policy
Miriam Posner Harris, Executive Vice President
Susannah Hatch, Director of Clean Energy Policy
Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, President
Juan Pablo Jaramillo, Political Director
Ellen Macaulay, Director of Special Projects
David Melly, Legislative Director
Randi Soltysiak, Director of Finance and Operations

We thank former staff members, Clare Kelly and Maliha Khan, for their contributions in fiscal year 2022.

Board of Directors

Gordon Burnes, Board Chair
Bethany Patten, Treasurer & Clerk
Alicia Barton
Hank Bell
Alex Bok
JocCole “JC” Burton
William “Buzz” Constable
Ben Downing
Robert Fishman
Isabel Grantham Rappoport
Elizabeth Turnbull Henry
Seth Jaffe
Namrita Kapur
Anne Kelly
Ken Kimmell
Ginger Lawrence
Bradley McLean
Dhiraj Malkani
Rick Mattila
Andy Mims
Sandhya Murali
Pete Pedersen
Emily Reichert
Ann Roosevelt
Gwen Ruta
Tedd Saunders

Board of Directors

Alex Bok, Board Chair
Bethany Patten, Treasurer & Clerk
Gordon Burnes
Robert Fishman
Douglas Foy
Elizabeth Turnbull Henry
Seth Jaffe
Natalia Linos
Nikko Mendoza
Peter Nessen
Asheen Phansey
Tedd Saunders
Warren Tolman

Success by the Numbers

124

years of environmental advocacy

188

legislative co-sponsors of our top priority bills

29

corporate council members

782

messages sent to lawmakers by ELM Action Fund members

27

environmental champions endorsed by the ELM Action Fund

67%

of endorsed candidates elected to office

63K+

visitors to the new ELM website

22K+

visitors to the new ELM Action Fund website

68%

increase in ELM's annual income

President's Letter

This past year has made it clear why Massachusetts must lead the way to address our climate crisis.

Recent federal developments, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, hold great promise for our nation’s response to our greatest environmental challenges, but we cannot stop there. Trailblazing states like our own can develop solutions that, when replicated, can secure a bright future for new generations. Massachusetts has what we need to set this course – a bustling innovation sector, top institutions and businesses, and financial resources.

ELM and the ELM Action Fund are dedicated to ensuring our Commonwealth meets the urgency of our times. We know that state leadership to curb greenhouse gas emissions matters now more than ever.

And yet, Massachusetts is not on track to reach our 2030 climate goals nor to achieve a netzero economy by 2050. We need strong policies and political power to fully transition to a clean energy future.

Thank you for your support as ELM advocates for policy and the ELM Action Fund builds political power to meet the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. Here is just a glance at what we have been able to accomplish this past year:

In November 2021, sixteen municipal leaders across Massachusetts were elected to office with the support of the ELM Action Fund.
ELM launched NetZeroMA.org to hold our elected and appointed officials accountable for reaching the mandated climate as set by the 2021 Next General Roadmap Act.
The New England for Offshore Wind coalition, led by ELM, fostered regional collaboration on responsibly developed offshore wind, hosting educational tours of the Block Island Wind Farm and launching Businesses for Offshore Wind.
ELM and the ELM Action Funds’ lobbying efforts successfully set the Massachusetts State House on track to pass the robust 2022 climate and clean energy bill.

A new legislative session begins in January 2023, and the ELM team is preparing an ambitious, strategic agenda. Next spring, we will celebrate our 125th birthday, a milestone that catalyzes our commitment to paving the way for ambitious environmental policy in Massachusetts.

Please join this work any way you can – by following us on social media @EnviroLeagueMA, by signing up for our political action alerts, and by donating.

Massachusetts is a barometer for what is possible. Other states are watching, meaning that failure to hit our climate goals would make it more likely that leaders elsewhere accept failure as an option. Failure cannot be an option. And with your continued support, it won’t be.

With gratitude,

Elizabeth Henry
President

Representing Nation-wide Movements

ELM’s efforts have catalyzed a green, just, and vibrant clean energy future across New England. NWF is grateful for the close collaboration with ELM, our Massachusetts state affiliate. By uniting a diverse set of stakeholders across the region, they are driving lasting change.

COLLIN O’MARA President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation

LCV is proud to have the ELM Action Fund as our state affiliate in Massachusetts. Their team is passionate, strategic, and leaving a lasting impact. Their work electing climate leaders and passing some of the strongest environmental laws in the nation has modeled leadership for other states across the country.

GENE KARPINSKI President, League of Conservation Voters

Same ELM, New Look

In the fall of 2021, ELM and the ELM Action Fund debuted new logos, websites, and an overall visual identity that better represent our forward-looking, ambitious vision.

While ELM is 124 years old, we have never shied away from evolving to meet the needs of the environmental movement. Our updated branding represents our commitment to people-centric climate policy that will create a healthy, sustainable future for all.

Our new ELM and ELM Action Fund websites make it easy for visitors to learn about our work and take action to influence policy on issues that matter to them.

Our new colors convey the bright future we aspire to build for the Commonwealth, its residents, and the natural environment while also expressing a boldness in line with ELM’s and the ELM Action Fund’s ambitious plans for the future.

The ELM Action Fund’s redesigned endorsement graphics are becoming increasingly recognizable as our impact on local and state elections grows. We use our social media to clearly and concisely inform voters of our candidates’ ambitious climate goals.

Thank you to intern Caroline Dailey for her invaluable contributions.

Year In Review

August 18

Panel discussion with New England City Councilors and Mayors on Climate

September 21

Tour of the Block Island Wind Farm with the MA House of Representatives

October 1

Launch of new ELM visual identity

October 26

Corporate Council Leader Breakfast with Chair Michlewitz

November 2

Election Day! ELM Action Fund helps elect 16 environmental champions

November 15

Green and Equitable Jobs Roundtable with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Gina McCarthy, & environmental justice leaders

October 1

Educational briefing with Congresswoman Lori Trahan on The Promise of Fusion Energy & the Challenges Ahead

December 20

Infrastructure Town Hall with Congresswoman Katherine Clark

January 25

Corporate Council Policy Briefing

March 1

Launch of Businesses for Offshore Wind (B4OSW)

March 28

Launch of accountability website, NetZeroMA.org

March 28

Panel on city climate responses with Mayor Michelle Wu and Secretary Pete Buttigieg

March 31

Corporate Council Leader Breakfast with Mayor Michelle Wu

April 1

Candidate Forum: Boston City Council District 1

April 27

Candidate Forum: MA Governor with WBUR

May 6 & 13

Tour of the Commonwealth Fusion Systems facility in Devens with environmental leaders

May 19

Earth Night 2022 at the New England Aquarium

June 15

Tour of the Block Island Wind Farm with leaders from Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire

In the News

Forecasting our Future: Massachusetts’ homeowners chip at goal of 1 million electrical system conversions

wcvb.com June 6, 2022 Read more

Climate bill needed for environmental, equity reasons

commonwealthmagazine.org October 10, 2022 Read more

Fellow & Intern Spotlight

The ELM Action Fund’s fellowship program has been eye-opening and humbling, with an incredibly compassionate team looking to leave a positive footprint in Massachusetts and New England.CAROLYN LIUFormer ELM Action Fund Fellow

ELM and the ELM Action Fund are proud of our robust, longstanding fellowship program which attracts students across Massachusetts interested in environmental policy and creating change through political campaigns. They expand our capacity while gaining valuable skills and experiences to advance their environmental careers.

This year, fourteen students joined our team. Already, a number of our FY2022 fellows have moved to exciting Congressional internships and have begun exciting careers at workplaces such as the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, the City of Boston, Small Planet Institute, and HyAxiom, Inc.

14

Fellows and Interns supporting ELM in FY22

135+

Hours campaigning for municipal candidates

Campaign & Advocacy Fellows

WILHEMINA BLAKE
Skidmore College
CAROLYN LIU
Northeastern University
LARA CARDUSO
UMass Boston
FATIMA LOPEZ
UMass Amherst
BELYNDA CESAR
UMass Amherst
MAYA MUDGAL
UMass Boston
ROBERT HART
UMass Amherst
KAIYA PATEL
Northeastern University
JUSTIN HONG
Tufts University
ELIJAH RESTUCCIO
Northeastern University

Interns

CAROLINE DAILEY,
Communications & Development Intern
Barnard College
CHARLOTTE FALL,
Development Intern
Northeastern University
RACHEL MADISON,
Offshore Wind Campaign Intern
Tufts University
KELLY TAM,
Development Intern
Boston University

Advocacy

For the 2021-2022 legislative session, ELM and the ELM Action Fund strategically selected a set of priorities that built on the framework established by the Next Generation Roadmap Act. We focused on helping Massachusetts achieve our carbon neutrality goals, grow our clean energy economy, and empower historically overburdened and underserved communities.

Our legislative priorities focused on offshore wind, electric vehicles, building decarbonization, waste reduction, environmental justice, and the Green Budget. ELM is proud to have made progress on many of our priorities with the passage of the 2022 Climate and Clean Energy law. We look forward to expanding on this success in the 2023-2024 legislative session.

Green Budget

Environmental agencies play an essential role in protecting our environment, fighting climate change, and preserving our natural resources. Yet only 0.62% of the state’s current operating budget is allocated toward these responsibilities. Our agency funding is insufficient to address the increased threat of climate change.

ELM and the ELM Action Fund championed robust increases for the FY23 Green Budget by lobbying the Legislature and encouraging a total of 194 Action Fund members to send letters to their legislators. Through our efforts, we secured a final budget that includes significant increases in funding for our priority line-items: DCR’s State Parks and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Protection, EEA Climate and Environmental Justice, and the Division of Ecological Restoration. With these additional resources, Massachusetts will be able to move forward in sustaining our communities, protecting public health, and meeting our environmental challenges.

Votes Act

Voting justice is central to the environmental movement. The Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color that are most impacted by environmental threats are also the most likely to face voting roadblocks. When voting restrictions keep underrepresented and environmentally threatened communities from the ballot box, they lose a crucial way to contribute to decisions about air and water pollution, inadequate transportation, and where polluting facilities and infrastructure are sited. The VOTES Act is one of the boldest electoral reforms in Massachusetts history, making vote-by-mail permanent, increasing early in-person voting options, expanding ballot access to incarcerated citizens, and more.

ELM and the ELM Action Fund fought for this legislation alongside a coalition of voter rights organizations lobbying the State House and encouraging Action Fund members to send a total of 281 letters to their legislators. We achieved victory in June 2022 when Governor Baker signed the bill into law. Thanks to this work, there is now statewide noexcuse mail-in-balloting, pre-trial voting, and enhanced automatic registration, all expanding voting access to environmental justice communities across Massachusetts.

Massachusetts’ 2021 Next Generation Roadmap Act is one of the strongest climate laws in the nation. It requires the Commonwealth to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% by 2030, a mere eight years away. This is both a monumental task and an imperative one. Reaching that target will set us on a trajectory to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The law must now be implemented. ELM, with support from the Conservation Law Foundation, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and Elders Climate Action, created NetZeroMA.org, an online tool that tracks the Commonwealth’s progress toward achieving mandates and deadlines set in the Next Generation Roadmap Act as well as other statutes and executive actions.

The website details each provision and deadline, providing background information and updates about where we have met our commitments, what’s in process, and where Massachusetts is falling short. The Next Generation Roadmap Act was a landmark piece of legislation, but it will require complementary policies to ensure Massachusetts meets our emissions reduction requirements.

The ELM team will continually update NetZeroMA.org to reflect deadlines and progress as additional laws, plans, and orders are put in place.

Visit NetZeroMA.org

With the support of ELM, the Legislature passed robust mandates in 2021 to put Massachusetts on track to a net-zero economy. Now comes the challenge of execution. We need bold strategy, sustained implementation, continuous communication, and transparent accountability if we’re to meet our goals. NetZeroMA.org is an invaluable way for residents and legislators to track progress toward meeting our climate commitments.

STATE SENATOR MICHAEL J. BARRETT Serving the 3rd Middlesex District & Senate Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

2022 Climate and Clean Energy Bill

ELM advocated tirelessly for the passage of An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, signed into law in August 2022. ELM’s thoughtful, clear advocacy resulted in a robust bill that prioritized offshore wind, transportation electrification, building decarbonization, and economic inclusion.

In the final months of the session, legislative deadlines and concerns over the lack of alignment between the House’s and Senate’s priorities created uncertainty as to the viability of the legislation. ELM worked with coalition partners, grassroots supporters, and elected officials to underscore the urgency of action in the face of the climate crisis. Inaction on this bill was unacceptable.

ELM coordinated with Massachusetts’ leading businesses and institutions, alongside other leading environmental organizations throughout the Commonwealth, to offer recommendations at every step in the legislative process. During the conference committee negotiation, ELM marshaled public support for a strong bill. Once the bill was finalized and sitting on Governor Baker’s desk, ELM worked to urge him to sign the bill, in the face of a possible veto, which he ultimately did.

Provisions of the Law

Offshore Wind

Expands investments into the offshore wind industry
Adjusts renewable energy incentives
Prioritizes new project plans that include equity and economic inclusion provisions

Transportation

Orders all MBTA buses to be electric by 2040
Requires all vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2035
Increases incentives and rebates for purchasing electric vehicles (EVs)
Builds more EV charging stations

Building Decarbonization

Increases data collection of building-related emissions and supported efficiency efforts
Creates a pilot program for 10 individual cities and towns to ban fossil-fuel hookups in new construction

Economic Inclusion & Environmental Justice

Ensures protections for ratepayers adopting clean energy
Empowers MassCEC to fund new clean energy research, build relevant infrastructure, support equitable growth, and expand its workforce development programs

ELM’s Efforts to Pass the Bill

Worked with legislators to file an omnibus offshore wind bill at the start of the session, several pieces of which were in the final bill
Joined 11 other leading environmental groups to offer comments on the legislation
Facilitated a coalition of 31 leading businesses and institutions urging lawmakers to finalize a strong climate bill
Co-published an op-ed with the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts highlighting the equity and economic inclusion aspects of the law
Elevated the bill’s urgency to the Boston Globe Editorial Board
Led a sign-on effort of over 50 organizations supporting funding for the implementation of the climate bill in a related economic development package

ELM Action Fund Members Take Action

289 members urged their State Senator to boost offshore wind resources and decarbonization efforts
252 members wrote their State Senator urging the conference committee to resolve the bill
628 members, including 141 new supporters, sent a letter to Governor Baker urging him to sign the bill into law

New England for Offshore Wind

New England is uncommonly well positioned to harness offshore wind—a game-changer for our regional grid. That is why, in 2020, ELM founded the New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW) coalition to support the timely and responsible development of this powerful renewable energy resource.

Since then, New England for Offshore Wind has grown into a broad-based coalition of over 100 members representing a diverse array of organizations, institutions, and communities across all six states. NE4OSW is committed to combating climate change by increasing the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through more procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. The coalition is driven by its core values of respect & responsibility, science-based decision making, equity, and economic justice.

In March 2022, NE4OSW launched Businesses for Offshore Wind (B4OSW), a strategic alliance of 28 New England businesses and institutions. Representing a cross-section of the regional economy, B4OSW amplifies business voices and perspectives in offshore wind advocacy and demonstrates corporate and institutional support for New England for Offshore Wind.

As part of B4OSW’s launch, members sent a letter to the six New England Governors calling for deeper collaboration between their administrations, highlighting offshore wind as a critical shared resource to address climate change, grow the economy, and control energy costs.

100+

NE4OSW Members

28

B4OSW Members

4

Bills passed across New England

A New Vision for Transmission

Seeing a need for a bold vision on offshore wind transmission, the full coalition spent the first half of 2022 building consensus on 6 core principles for transmission development for release in FY23. The principles represent the coalition’s goals for development, coordination, and transparency that include labor standards and environmental justice and protection. In June, 38 coalition members urged New England’s governors to seek coordinated, regional offshore wind transmission solutions to avoid high overall financial, environmental, and community impacts of facilities planned for the Northeast coast.

Offshore wind is a massive opportunity that will create new businesses and thousands of new jobs. Investments in this billion dollar industry will reduce the Commonwealth’s carbon footprint, which limits the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.

Nicole Obi President & CEO, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (B4OSW Member)

Corporate Council

The ELM Corporate Council launched in 2010 to create a deep working alliance between the private sector and environmental advocates. Growing to 29 members in 2022, the Corporate Council provides opportunities for businesses and institutions leading on sustainability to participate in the legislative process and encourage others in their sector to follow their example. These businesses use their power to help drive policy that promotes a clean, accessible, thriving, and equitable future for the Commonwealth.

This past year, we held two Leader Breakfasts with our members and senior government officials who have authority over our region’s energy and environmental future. In October 2021, ELM and our members sat down with House Chair of Ways & Means Aaron Michlewitz and in March 2022, we met with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. During these conversations, our Corporate Council members discussed how businesses can support the state’s decarbonization efforts and the Mayor’s plans for a Green New Deal city. At our annual Energy & Environmental Policy Briefing in February 2022, the ELM team made the business case for advocacy on the most pertinent policy issues facing Massachusetts, including environmental justice, electric vehicles, and offshore wind.

29

Corporate Council Members

3

Events educating members on advocacy and partnership

31

Institutions calling for a strong climate bill

The ELM Corporate Council has been a valuable partnership for our company. The opportunities ELM have given us to use our voice on Beacon Hill has enabled us to advocate for policies to support a healthy economy, environment, and community.

Bob Rivers Chair & CEO, Eastern Bank

Business Voices for the 2022 Climate Bill

Through the Corporate Council, ELM activates businesses on environmental policy advocacy to motivate our state lawmakers to address our greatest environmental and economic challenges. In June, we drafted, organized, and coordinated a sign-on letter calling on Massachusetts legislators to finalize an ambitious 2022 climate and clean energy bill. Collaborating with Ceres, Health Care Without Harm, and Second Nature, we recruited 31 leading businesses and institutions to sign the letter, demonstrating their leadership and urging lawmakers to adopt language to:

Accelerate the clean energy economy
Invest in green infrastructure
Prioritize environmental equity and justice

2021 Elections

27

Environmental Champions endorsed by the ELM Action Fund

67%

Elected to Municipal Office

15K+

Doors Knocked for Climate Champions

18

Women Candidates Endorsed

14

Candidates of Color Endorsed

10K+

Get Out the Vote Phone calls

In seven short years, more than a quarter of those serving in elected office in the State House have sought and earned our endorsement. By building relationships early and uplifting champions, we have worked with the Legislature to pass some of the strongest climate laws in the nation.Casey BowersExecutive Director, ELM Action Fund

During the 2021 election cycle, the ELM Action Fund team continued supporting candidates that are committed to policies that meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis.

In 2021, the team largely focused on backing climate champions running for municipal offices throughout the state. Massachusetts voters proved that running on ambitious environmental plans wins elections. Leaders on clean energy, climate resilience, environmental justice, electrified transportation, and more sailed to victory in every corner of our state. Municipal officials have the ability to implement change at a local level, and we believe that local municipalities have a major role to play in advancing important climate policy.

Kim Driscoll

Lieutenant Governor

With her history of climate action in Salem, we were proud to support her re-election bid for Mayor.

Lydia Edwards

State Senator

We knew she would bring the same enthusiasm for environmental justice and clean energy that she exhibited on the Boston City Council

Etel Haxhiaj

Worcester City Council District 5

The ELM Action Fund is proud of the support we provided Etel Haxhiaj throughout her second run for Worcester City Council. She is the first Muslim American to be elected to the body. A lifelong advocate, she is passionate about providing a safe and healthy environment for Worcester’s residents. Councilor Haxhiaj earned our endorsement when she ran in 2019, a close race she ultimately lost. Her victory during her second run made it clear that increasingly voters seek candidates committed to climate action and environmental justice.

Ruthzee Louijeune

Boston City Council At-Large

Boston’s first Haitian-American City Councilor, she campaigned for fare-free MBTA and for all new buildings to meet net-zero emission standards.

Jared Nicholson

Mayor of Lynn

After three terms on the Lynn School Committee, he ran on a campaign to improve Lynn’s infrastructure against the impacts of climate change.

View all of our endorsed Candidates

Green Voter Guide

Since its launch in 2020, the Green Voter Guide continues to be an effective tool for Massachusetts voters who want to cast their vote for an environmental champion. The Green Voter Guide, developed by the ELM Action Fund, allows voters to enter their address and see which candidates on their ballot have earned the endorsement of any of the top five environmental organizations that make endorsements in Massachusetts races.

In the 2021 municipal elections, over 6,000 voters used the Green Voter Guide to find environmental leaders on their ballot.

Visit the Green Voter Guide

Municipal Light Plants

We are proud to have continued our support of climate champions running to serve on Municipal Light Plant (MLP) Boards.

MLPs are municipality-owned power plants designed to provide power to the citizens of that city or town. Elected commissioners have influence over where the town’s energy comes from, implementing energy efficiency programs, setting energy rates, and increasing transparency in the light department. Electing climate champions to MLP Boards can lead to significant changes in a community’s clean energy plans.

Despite the importance of these elections, few voters know about MLPs or turn out to vote. ELM and the ELM Action Fund work to educate voters and drive turnout. On February 22, 2022, ELM co-hosted a webinar, “What are Municipal Plants?” which encouraged community members to get involved with their local MLPs and consider running for office.

In the spring of 2022, we saw an increase in interest from candidates seeking our endorsement. The ELM Action Fund supported eight MLP candidates across six municipalities, including Belmont, Groton, Harvard, Hingham, Hudson, and Reading. We provided support to their local campaigns by creating and sending mailers, hosting phone banks, and mobilizing the ELM Action Fund’s members to turn out to vote.

Our 2022 Winning MLP Candidates

Hingham

Michael Reive

Belmont

Steve Kilonsky

Belmont

Michael Macrae

A Historic Win in Boston

When Michelle Wu launched her campaign for Mayor of Boston in 2020, she made her focus on climate clear. She ran on an environmental justice platform that included a Green New Deal for Boston, marking a major shift in how the city would respond to the growing threat of climate change.

Because of her environmental leadership on the Boston City Council, the ELM Action Fund knew Wu was the leader Boston needed to fight climate change. In addition to our phone banking and door knocking, we organized climate canvasses on her behalf, including a Canvass Kickoff with climate champion Senator Ed Markey.

We have been proud to work alongside Mayor Wu as she begins to put her Boston Green New Deal into action. Within a few months of her inauguration, she signed an ordinance requiring the City of Boston to divest from fossil fuels by 2025 and began to address transportation justice by expanding fare-free public transit to three bus lines.

The first organizations that came out to support my candidacy were clear this was going to be a climate campaign. The leadership of the ELM Action Fund in that space, really pulling together Sierra Club and Sunrise and the activist energy on the ground, to say ‘we are teaming up.’ That has already given me so much wind in the first seven months to make changes.

Michelle Wu Mayor of Boston, at an ELM Action Fund event in June 2022

Michelle Wu: Climate Champion

To support Michelle Wu’s historic candidacy for Boston City Hall, the ELM Action Fund launched an independent expenditure (IE) in August 2021.

Through the IE, we:

Raised and invested over $250K to support her candidacy
Earned over 2M views with our digital video ads
Reached over 90K voters through targeted ads
Targeted 15K high-propensity voters with our mail program
Launched michellewuclimatechampion.com, earning over 8K visits
Elevated her climate platform to boost proactive press coverage and to gain visibility for our IE PAC’s growing influence

Events

3.5K+

Post-event Streams of ELM's Virtual Events

1620

People Engaged by Candidate Forums

Green and Equitable Jobs Roundtable

On November 15, 2021, ELM held a roundtable discussion at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT). U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, and former Mayor Kim Janey, alongside a number of state legislators and environmental justice advocates, gathered in support of the Build Back Better Bill.

Attendees had the opportunity to join a class for heat pump demonstration and toured the HVAC and electric vehicles facilities where BFIT students train in the necessary skills to join the growing green economy. The event demonstrated BFIT’s efforts to represent the diversity of the Commonwealth in the clean energy workforce and brought together public officials who are working to decrease emissions and build resilient communities.

Exploring the Promise of Fusion

On December 8, 2021, ELM co-hosted the Promise of Fusion Energy & the Challenges Ahead, in which a group of advocates, businesses, and government officials met to discuss the potential of fusion energy as a source of carbon-free energy and listen to experts’ briefings on its challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts and the world. With world-leading research and development here in Massachusetts, ELM has been educating ourselves and our stakeholders on the current technology, gaps, and risks in order to be better equipped to shape funding and regulatory decisions.

Candidate Forum: Boston City Council District 1

On April 4, 2022, ELM held the Boston City Council District 1 Candidate Forum alongside GreenRoots and the PUEBLO coalition. Gabriela Coletta and Tania Del Rio, the two candidates who competed for the district seat that represents residents of East Boston, Charlestown, and the North End, joined ELM and responded to crucial questions related to environmental justice issues impacting the district. The residents of Boston’s 1st District are overburdened by environmental challenges such as frequent flooding and air pollution, and ELM gave them a chance to hear the candidates explain their plans for addressing the impending climate crisis. By facilitating open discussions about environmental challenges and solutions, ELM encourages residents to vote for candidates that prioritize building a thriving, green, and equitable community.

Candidate Forum:

Massachusetts Governor

On April 27, 2022, ELM held the Candidate Forum on Energy & the Environment for the MA Governor’s Race at WBUR CitySpace and streamed it online. The forum included candidates Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Senator for MA 2nd Suffolk District, and Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General. All candidates were invited to participate.

The candidates discussed their plans for renewable energy, clean transportation, environmental justice, resilient communities, and more, and provided voters insight into their environmental priorities. Massachusetts’ next governor will be faced with crucial decisions on how we build a carbon-neutral, green, and equitable Commonwealth; by hosting this event, ELM gave voters a chance to educate themselves on how the candidates will address environmental challenges, and who will make Massachusetts a leader.

Earth Night is Back

On May 19 we held our 25th Earth Night celebration under a tent overlooking Boston Harbor at the New England Aquarium. We enjoyed hosting almost 300 guests for our first in-person Earth Night in three years.

We gathered friends from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors to honor this year’s theme – the intersection of climate, health, and equity. Our Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards recognized those who have worked at this nexus.

Thanks to our generous sponsors and donors, we raised over $280,000 to support our mission, almost doubling our record!

281

Earth Night Attendees

66

Earth Night Sponsors

I am honored to be awarded a Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Award. The ELM team has been an invaluable partner. The advocacy of their dedicated and knowledgeable staff has helped pass transformative legislation, including the Next Generation Climate Roadmap Act. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with ELM on policy that meets the moment and builds a resilient and equitable green economy.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOAN MESCHINO Serving the 3rd Plymouth District

Congratulations to Our Five Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awardees

State Representative Joan Meschino, for leading the charge to pass one of the strongest climate laws in the nation.

María Belén Power and Andrea Nyamekye, for organizing and leading a movement to codify protections for the marginalized, overburdened, and vulnerable people across Massachusetts.

Mass General Brigham, for using their power, influence, and expertise to advocate for policy to build a healthier, more sustainable, more equitable Commonwealth.

Jeremy Grantham, CBE, for decades of transformational investments in advocacy, innovation, and technology to address the climate crisis.

Income: $2,185,911
Expenses: $1,426,123

Income: $814,237
Expenses: $827,505

Corporate and Foundation Support

AMALGAMATED BANK
AMERESCO
ANBARIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
AVANGRID RENEWABLES
A.D. MAKEPEACE
BANK OF AMERICA
BARR FOUNDATION
BEMIS ASSOCIATES
BIOGEN
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS
BLUEWAVE CAPITAL
BROWN ADVISORY
CAPE AIR
THE CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION
CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR OF ARLINGTON
CME ENERGY
COMMONWEALTH FUSION SYSTEMS
DEMPSEY, LUCEY AND ASSOCIATES
ENCORE BOSTON HARBOR
ERNST & YOUNG
ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
FIELDS POND FOUNDATION
THE FINE FUND
FIRSTLIGHT POWER SERVICES
FIRST PARISH IN MILTON
FOLEY HOAG
FORM ENERGY
FRAMINGHAM FRIENDS MEETING
HALEY & ALDRICH
JOHN E ROSENTHAL CHARITABLE TRUST
KEARNEY, DONOVAN & MCGEE PC
LAWRENCE AND LILLIAN SOLOMON
FOUNDATION
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
LOCAL 103 I.B.E.W.
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM
MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN ENERGY CENTER
MILLIPORE SIGMA CORPORATION
MINTZ LEVIN
MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
MORGAN STANLEY
M.O.S.E.S.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
NOVARTIS
ØRSTED
PLYMOUTH ROCK ASSURANCE
PNC BANK
THE NEIL AND ANNA RASMUSSEN FOUNDATION
SERLIN HALEY
SMITH, COSTELLO & CRAWFORD
STOP & SHOP COMMUNITY BAG PROGRAM
TAKEDA
TRILLIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT
TRIUMVIRATE ENVIRONMENTAL
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN
THE WANG FOUNDATION
WOMBLE, BOND, DICKINSON

Individual Support

$10,000+

ANONYMOUS
GORDON BURNES AND SUZIE TAPSON
ALEXI AND STEVEN CONINE
RALPH EARLE AND JANE MENDILLO
GEOFFREY FREEMAN AND MARJORIE FINDLAY
ROBERT AND GLENDA FISHMAN
NANCY HAMMOND
JORDAN HITCH
PAM KOHLBERG AND CURT GREER
TED LADD
PAMELA LOWRY AND ALLEN T. ROZELLE
BILL LUNDBERG AND YENKUEI CHUANG
MARGARET MCCLAMROCH
DR. ROBERT AND VERONICA PETERSEN
ALEX SHORTS
CATHLEEN AND JAMES STONE
PHILIP AND TAMAR ROSENBLUM WARBURG

$5,000-$9,999

DYLAN ARMAJANI
RAY AND GRACE CICCOLO
SETH JAFFE AND GENIA LONG
ANDY AND LISA MIMS
ISABEL GRANTHAM RAPPOPORT AND JOHN RAPPOPORT
ANN FOWLER WALLACE AND BRAD WALLACE

$1,000-$4,999

NANCY AND REINIER BEEUWKES
JON BERNSTEIN AND MARTINA ALBRIGHT
PHYLLIS BLACK
KEVIN AND DEBBIE BLOCK-SCHWENK
ALEX BOK
LALOR BURDICK
GEOFFREY CHASIN
ADAM COHEN AND ELIZABETH EATON
STEPHEN CROSBY AND HELEN STRIEDER
KRISTINA EGAN AND ALAN CARON
ANDREW FALENDER
HERMANN AND KATE FIELD
GERTRUD AND ROBERT FONDREN
DOUGLAS FOY
PHIL GIUDICE
BOB CHILDS AND HILARY GRAHAM
PAM KOHLBERG AND CURT GREER
NICHOLAS AND MARJORIE GREVILLE
PETER AND SUE GRUBER
MARGERY HAMLEN
WHITNEY AND ELIZABETH HATCH
THE HONORABLE JONATHAN HECHT AND LORA SABIN
SCOTT HOWARD
ANNE KELLY
CHRISTOPHER AND SUSAN MORSER KLEM
VIRGINIA LAWRENCE
STEPHEN LEONARD
VICTORIA AND PETE LOWELL
DHIRAJ MALKANI
RICK MATTILA AND SHARON PREHN
BRADLEY MCLEAN
CHRISTOPHER AND CAROLYN MILLER
ROB MOIR AND TONI CZEKANSKI
RONALD AND WANDA MOURANT
PETER AND BEATRICE NESSEN
JAMES OTTAWAY
PETE AND SARAH PEDERSEN
BARBARA PENN
DANIEL PERLMAN
TOM AND PAT KING POWERS
ANN AND JIM ROOSEVELT
GWEN RUTA
TAMARA SCIPIONE (JARDINE)
BETTY SHEA
DEBBIE SLOTPOLE
NANCY SOULETTE
ROBERT AND NAOMI TUCHMANN
SUSAN AND DAVID TURNBULL
MARY ALLEN WILKES
KELSEY WIRTH AND SAMUEL MYERS

$500-$999

ANONYMOUS
GEORGE BACHRACH AND SUSAN CENTOFANTI
WHITNEY BEALS AND PAMELA ESTY
TOM AND SARA CABOT
CHARLES AND LAEL CHESTER
WILLIAM AND NANCY CONSTABLE
DAVE DAMM-LUHR
LAURA EVANS DURANT
IRENE GREIF AND ALBERT MEYER
GORDON HALL AND CAROLYN TAFT KNOWLTON
DONNA HAZARD
DICK AND SARAH HENRY
FREDERICK HEWETT
RON HIRSCHBERG AND SANDRA TANEN
NAMRITA KAPUR AND TOM DEWINTER
KENNETH KIMMELL AND SUZANNE BERNE
KEVIN KNOBLOCH
ROBERT LAWRENCE
BRUCE AND DEBBIE LENAHAN
THOMAS LEWIS AND AILENE ROBINSON
PETER AND BABETTE LORING
BRAD AND SHARON MALT
NOEL MANN
BENJAMIN METCALF
BARBARA MEYER
ANDREW MYERS
ANNE ST. GOAR AND SHIPPEN PAGE
SAMUEL PLIMPTON AND WENDY SHATTUCK
MARILYN SMITH AND CHARLES FREIFELD
CYNTHIA SOMMER AND ANDREW BALDER
TOM TARPEY AND CC KING
MICHAEL THORNTON
ERIC AND LAURIE VAN LOON
HENRY AND ANNIE WOOLSEY
ZAURIE ZIMMERMAN

$100-499

ANONYMOUS (X5)
SUSAN ABRAMS
BROCK ADLER AND DIANA ABRAMO
SUSAN ALTMAN
JAMIE ARAUJO
JEFFREY AXELROD
VICTOR BALTERA
CYNTHIA BARAKATT AND RICHARD BIZZOZERO
SHARON BARRETT
MARIA AND JOHN BARTLETT
GAURAB BASU
JAMES BECKER AND ABER LYNCH
VALERIE BRADLEY AND LEWIS SARGENTICH
CHRIS BRESNAHAN
HAILEY BRODERICK
MARK SMITH AND ELIZABETH BROWN
REBECCA BRUYN
PHILIP AND HILARY BURLING
NICHOLAS CAPLAN
JONDAVID CHESLOFF
BRIAN AND ALISON CLEW
JANE COE
STEVEN COHEN
THE HONORABLE THOMAS CONROY
NATHANIEL S. AND CATHERINE E. COOLIDGE
SEAN COUGHLIN
JOHN AND MARITTA CRONIN
SUSAN CURRY
CYNTHIA CURTIS
SHERRIE CUTLER
JOANNE D’ALCOMO AND STEPHEN ELMAN
CAROLYN AND RON DANN
JOHN DEMPSEY AND MARY SCOTT
DIANE DEPASO AND DAVID PINALS
PATRICK DIAZ AND LIZ WEAVER
T. WILLIAM AND BARBARA DONNELLY
CAROLINE TURNBULL DORAN
JOSEPH DORANT AND STACEY HERMAN
THE HONORABLE BENJAMIN DOWNING
GOVERNOR MICHAEL DUKAKIS AND KATHARINE DUKAKIS
MARY ELLS
WILLIAM ELSBREE
J. BRANDON WILSON-EVITT AND STEVEN EVITT
KATIE AND JAMIE FAGAN
PRISCILLA GEIGIS AND KURT GAERTNER
JAMES GOMES
JANICE AND RALPH HALPERN
MARCIA AND BILL HARRIS
ROBERT AND PRISCILLA HAYES
B.J. AND LINDA HERBISON
ANN AND HERBERT HERSHFANG
ROBERTA HODSON
SARAH HONG
PHILIP AND HOLIDAY HOUCK
REP. MICHELLE CICCOLO AND PHILIP JACKSON
LYMAN JACKSON
GENE AND JUDY JACOBS
SHERRY WINKELMAN AND DIAB JERIUS
JAIME JIMENEZ
ALLAN JOHANNESEN
ALEXANDER JOVANOVIC
KENNETH AND LAUREL KAHN
PETER AND PAMELA KANE
ALEXANDER AND NICOLLE KEALLY
ARCH HORST AND KATE KIRBY
STEF KOMOROWSKI
SHAWN KONARY
JANET KRAUS
LOUISE AND DAVID KRESS
SHULAMIT KAHN AND KEVIN LANG
MONICA AND MICHAEL LEHNER
SAMUEL LEUSCHNER
ALAN AND BETH LEVINE
BETSY LEWENBERG
HELEN LOZORAITIS
THOMAS LUCK AND ELIZABETH KIDDER
FRANCES AND ROBERT LUDWIG
CYNTHIA LUPPI
JUDITH MACK
KAREN MAUNEY-BRODEK
JASON MATHERS AND NATHALIE HIGHLAND
TED MCCARTHY
ANNE MCSHANE
ELLEN AND JAMES MEADORS
GRETA MESZOELY
PETER MEYER AND EILEEN LYNCH
PAMELA MILLIGAN AND RICHARD HENIGE
MARVIN AND DOLORES MITCHELL
JAMES MNOOKIN
DAVID MOON
JOEL MOONEY
PAULINA MORATORE
SANDHYA MURALI
SEANAN MURPHY
JIM NEUMANN
IAN NISBET
RICHARD PARKER
WILLIAM PATTERSON
RICHARD AND CYNTHIA PERKINS
ASHEEN PHANSEY
CLAUDIA PHILLIPS
KEN PHILLIPS
MARY PHILLIPS
MALCOLM PITTMAN
KENNETH PRUITT
JOHN AND CYNTHIA QUEALY
SUSAN RAPOPORT
JOHN REINHARDT
MAIJA PRATT ROJAS
MARK ROOPENIAN
STEVEN M. AND SUSAN ROTHSTEIN
WENDY RUNDLE
CARLTON AND LORNA RUSSELL
JEN AND JASON RYAN
MARY RYAN
ALLYSON SAND
ELLEN SARKISIAN
ROBERT SCHLAUCH AND PHYLLIS JEN
ROBERT SPILLMAN AND LANA SEGUIN-SPILLMAN
ELECTA SEVIER AND JOS NICHOLAS
MARTIN SILBERBERG
RICHARD AND MARSHA SIRULL
ADAM SMITH
PETER SMITH
SUE AND WALTER STAFFORD
NATHANIEL STEVENS
SARAH STEWART
THE HONORABLE WARREN AND CAROLYN TOLMAN
ABBY TOMLINSON
ALLAN AND BARBARA TOSTI
BENJAMIN UNDERWOOD
KYLE VANGEL
LISA VERNEGAARD
CHRISTINE VONDER HAAR
KENNETH AND MARIANNE WAGNER
BOB WEGGEL
CATHY WESTON
RICK WEYERHAEUSER AND ANNIE BREWSTER
PEG WHEELER
KAREN WIENER AND RICHARD NORTHEY
ANDY AND MYRALEE WILSON
ELISABETH WINEBERG
HOWARD AND CANDICE WOLK
CHRIS AND JENNIFER ZANNETOS
CHARLOTTE ZELLE
GABRIELE ZIJDERVELD
CATHERINE ZUSY AND SAMUEL KENDALL

$25-99

ANONYMOUS (X5)
KATHERINE ABBOTT
SAGAL ALISALAD
ANN AUSTIN
MARGHERITA BALDWIN
SAM AND MARIE BARTLETT
JEFF BERG
HOWARD AND DEBORAH BERNSTEIN
JULIA BLATT
ALISON BOWDEN
EMMA BROWN
SHAYLA BROWN-PEDDY
SEN. WILLIAM BROWNSBERGER
ANNIE BRUCE
GLENN CARLE
JOHN CHAMBLISS
HEATHER AND CLARY CLISH
SUSANNA COLLOREDO-MANSFELD
CLIFFORD AND ROXANNE COOK
CLAIRE CORCORAN
ERIC CORNETTA
TIM CRONIN
CLAIRE CURRAN
CHARLES DEKNATEL
CARL DIERKER
CHARLES DIETRICK
ANITA ROY DOBBS
DANIELLE DOLAN
JANET DOMENITZ
MARK EDIGER
JANE AND MURRAY EISENBERG
SEN. JAMES ELDRIDGE
JOHANNES EPKE
WILLIAM AND VIRGINIA FADDEN
LYNDA FERRARI
ANNE FORBES
MARYANNA FOSKETT
JOHN FOSTER
CATHERINE GARNETT
JULIE MCNULTY GARVEY
LAURIE GATES
ERIK GEHRING AND JULIE WRIGHT
ARLEN GOULD
ELLEN GUGEL AND STEVE MUNDEN
PETER HOFMAN
RICHARD AND JUDITH HOWE
ROBB JOHNSON
RON JOSEPH
DAVID AND JUDITH KESSLER
DALE KLINE
JOSH KNOX
ELLIOTT AND SHARON KREFETZ
JOE KRIESBERG
BETTY KRIKORIAN
BETH LAMBERT
KATHARINE LANGE
PAUL LAUENSTEIN AND LEONA FRIEDMAN
VICTORIA LEFEVRE
CASSIDY LEIGHT
THOMAS LINCOLN
REP. JAY LIVINGSTONE
SUSAN LIVINGSTON
CHRISTINE LOJKO
STEPHEN LONG AND JOANNE BISSETTA
CAROL LORENTE
DEB MARKOWITZ
JENNA MASSOUD
KAREN MAUNEY-BRODEK
MIKAELA HONDROS MCCARTHY
IMMACULATE MCHOME
MARY MCMAHON
ALICE MILLER
JUDITH MIZNER
ROSEMARIE MULLIN
EMILY MYRON
JESS NAHIGIAN
HARRY NEWELL
MAUREEN NORMAN
JAMES AND ANN MARIE O’CONNELL
MICHAEL O’CONNOR
PETER O’KELLY
LINDA AND TOBY OREL
JOSH OSTROFF
REP. STEVE OWENS
KIRSTIE PECCI
PATRICIA RACKOWSKI
BRIAN AND SHEILA REHRIG
LAWRENCE ROGOVIN
MARCIA COOPER AND JEFFREY ROSENBERG
DANIEL RUBEN
ANDREW RUSSELL
CAROL RUTSTEIN
EMMALADD SHEPHERD
EDWARD SIEGFRIED
CAITLIN PEALE SLOAN
ELEANOR SMITH
LENA SMOOT
DEAN SPENCER AND KATE SEEGER
PAUL TAMBACAS
JULIE TAYLOR
ROSEMARY TORPEY
ANNA VANDERSPEK
WINSTON VAUGHAN
SHERRY WEILAND
HASKELL WERLIN
BEVERLY WOODWARD AND PAUL MONSKY
GEORGE AND KATHARINE WOODWELL

Action Fund Supporters

ANONYMOUS
EDWARD ARMSTRONG
GLEB BAHMUTOV
CYNTHIA BLOOMQUIST
ALEX BOK
JOAN BOK
SHEILA BURKUS
PATRICIA CHORY
TIMOTHY CRONIN
STEPHEN CROSBY AND HELEN STRIEDER
SARAH CULLINAN
ROBERT ECCLES
ENERGY ACTION FUND
ANDREW FALENDER
DOUGLAS FOY
NICHOLAS AND MARJORIE GREVILLE
GORDON HALL AND CAROLYN TAFT KNOWLTON
CHRISTOPHER AND SUSAN MORSER KLEM
NANCY HAMMOND
DONNA HESS
FREDERICK HEWETT
JOAN HILL
ALLAN JOHANNESEN
NICK AND BICKY KELLEY
STEF KOMOROWSKI
NATALIA LINOS
JAY AND PATRICIA LORSCH
ROGER LUCKMANN
ASHEEN PHANSEY
KEN PRUITT AND TERESA DOKSUM
LYNN AND ROGER READ
RICH ROSENBERRY
TEDD AND ELLA SAUNDERS
MARY SHERMAN
ANNE STETSON
TOM TARPEY AND CC KING
LAWRENCE YU

Thank you to all of our donors for supporting our purpose to secure the health and wellbeing of the environment and of future generations.

Massachusetts has long been a public policy leader, and now we have the opportunity to lead the nation in developing and implementing policies to create a more sustainable and healthy future for us all. Our priorities are grounded in science and scaled to match the challenges we face. We will advocate for policies that help Massachusetts achieve our carbon neutrality goals, grow our clean energy economy, and empower historically overburdened and underserved communities.

Gordon Burnes Board Chair, Environmental League of Massachusetts

Since its founding in 2015, the ELM Action Fund has been reshaping our Commonwealth for the better. Voters are increasingly calling for decisive, forward-looking climate action. Our work expands the realm of what is possible by educating and electing leaders across the state with the vision, ambition, and courage to fight for our future.

Alex Bok Board Chair, The ELM Action Fund

Get Involved

Invest in ELM

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Invest in the ELM Action Fund

$25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other

Download this Annual Report as a PDF

Annual Report

Table of Contents

THIS IS ELM

Our Team

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Success by the Numbers

124

188

29

782

27

67%

63K+

22K+

68%

President's Letter

Representing Nation-wide Movements

Same ELM, New Look

Year In Review

August 18

September 21

October 1

October 26

November 2

November 15

October 1

December 20

January 25

March 1

March 28

March 28

March 31

April 1

April 27

May 6 & 13

May 19

June 15

In the News

Mass. must lead in combating climate crisis

ELM president on why Mass. is poised to solve climate challenges

Massachusetts’ biggest climate wins and losses of 2021

Candidates in Mass. governor’s race are running on climate

New site tracks progress on climate law requirements

How Mass. climate goals align with the latest UN report

First life sciences, now clean energy: Baker eyes next big industry for Mass.

Forecasting our Future: Massachusetts’ homeowners chip at goal of 1 million electrical system conversions

Climate bill needed for environmental, equity reasons

Fellow & Intern Spotlight

14

135+

Campaign & Advocacy Fellows

Interns

Advocacy

Advocacy

Green Budget

Votes Act

2022 Climate and Clean Energy Bill

Provisions of the Law

Offshore Wind

Transportation

Building Decarbonization

Economic Inclusion & Environmental Justice

ELM’s Efforts to Pass the Bill

ELM Action Fund Members Take Action

New England for Offshore Wind

100+

28

4

A New Vision for Transmission

Corporate Council

29

3

31

Business Voices for the 2022 Climate Bill

2021 Elections

27

67%

15K+

18