sign the petition to say no to the biomass in Springfield

Sign Arise for Social Justice's petition to stop the biomass in Springfield or submit your written comments for DOER Hearing on Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Class I and II regulations to John Wassam electronically to DOER.RPS@mass.gov, or via mail to the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114 by 5 PM on July 26, 2019.

Read Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition and the Public Health Institute of Western MA's submitted testimonies.

Visit the advocacy page for more information on alternative energy portfolio standard and Springfield's proposed biomass plant. 

NEXT PVAC MEETING:

• Thursday, March 28, 2019
• 4:00-5:30 PM
• Location: American Lung Association 
• 393 Maple Street, Springfield 

Meet our local asthma programs!

Come learn about the asthma education/ home visiting programs in Springfield, Holyoke and Northampton. Staff from Holyoke Medical Center, Caring Health Center, Mason Square Health Center, Baystate Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Pediatric Physician's Organization at Children's will share information on their current programs.

All are welcome: parents, youth, older adults, clinicians, community organizations, school staff…and anyone else concerned. Free pizza and refreshments!

Gas Stoves and Asthma- Reviewing the Research

Environmental Toxicologist and Chemical Engineer Krystal Pollitt, PhD, P.Eng of Yale University and a PVAC Steering Committee presented  research on the impact of gas stoves on asthma.  

• Krystal Pollitt: Gas Stoves: Avoiding Harmful Impacts

Dr. Matt Sadof Receives Healthcare Hero Award!

Longtime PVAC Chair Dr. Matt Sadof received the Healthcare Heroes - Community Health award on October 25th. Congratulations, Matt!

Click here for full article

Springfield Healthy Homes Asthma Program Receives $750,000 Grant 

After a highly competitive review process, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) as part of their SHIFT-Care Challenge has awarded Baystate Health Care Alliance/BeHealthy Partnership ACO a $750,000 grant to expand the Springfield Healthy Homes Asthma Program designed to improve the health and quality of life for people with asthma. Please check out the associated articles below.

Collaboration Receives $750,000 Grant To Address Asthma, BusinessWest

Baystate Health gets $750k grant to expand asthma program, MassLive

WE'RE HIRING!

The Springfield Healthy Homes Asthma Program has the following open positions:

Baystate Pulmonary Rehab:

• Community Health Worker,
   https://www.baystatehealthjobs.com/job/springfield/community-health-worker-asthma/156/9550759
• Transitional Care Coordinator, https://www.baystatehealthjobs.com/job/springfield/care-coordinator-asthma-program/156/9760569

Revitalize CDC will also be hiring a Healthy Homes Assessor. 

Revitalize CDC Video Highlights Springfield Asthma Program

On October 20, 2018, Revitalize CDC was honored at the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) for the short video it created for its “Healthy Homes” asthma home visiting program.  RCDC’s submission was part of a competition by MACDC to select a video that best represented the effect of the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in communities throughout the state.

Check out the video from Revitalize CDC about our pilot program

CHW Asthma Training scheduled for december

Mass. DPH is sponsoring a training for Community Health Workers on Asthma. The 4-day training will take place December 3, 5, 10 & 12 in Worcester. For details, please see flyer or contact Peggy Hogarty at (617) 534-5485.or phogarty@bphc.org.

DEADLINE:  November 27, 2018.



Biomass Plan to Break Ground in the Spring 

PVAC has fought long and hard in coalition with other groups, particularly Arise for Social Justice, to prevent a biomass plant in Springfield.  Announcement of Palmer Renewable Energy's plans to break ground led to the City Council President Orlando Ramos setting a meeting for the City Council to review the current permits.  This meeting will take place on October 15th, at 6 pm in the City Council chambers.

Join PVAC staff to learn more about the plans and options to going forward.  

Background on the PVAC's opposition to the Biomass Plant

Springfield area is named the #1 Asthma Capital

The most challenging place in the US for asthma.  The data is based on ALL of Hampden County, not just the City of Springfield.

May 17, 2018:  Springfield City Council Health & Human Services Committee Meeting on Asthma Capital Data

Sarita Hudson and Dr. Matt Sadof met with the City Council Health & Human Services Committee Chair Jesse Lederman and City Councilor Tim Allen about the asthma data for Springfield. 

Masslive: "An epidemic:" Springfield tops asthma ranking

WWLP: Report: Springfield is most challenging place to live with asthma

Stay up-to-date with the Asthma Coalition

Check out our monthly newsletters: 

November 2017

December 2017

February 2018

April 2018

May 2018

PVAC Submits comments on executive order

Sarita Hudson, on behalf of the PVAC, submits Comments on President Trump's Executive Order 13777 on Enforcing the Regulatory Agenda.  Key takeaways include:

• We value the role of the US EPA to use a science based strategy to protect public health and the environment.
  
• We strongly support the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection.
  
• We strongly support the Office of Water Quality to provide oversight, education and enforcement of lead laws.
  
• We strongly support the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. 
• We strongly oppose the elimination of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation/Indoor Environments

 Air Quality Index

Get your up-to-date state report on AirNow

Asthama is chronic (long term) lung disease that makes breathing difficult for people. It is caused by continual airway inflammation, frequented by episodes of increased swelling or inflamation. Asthma is not curable, but manageable. With the right treatment and proper asthma management, people with asthma can live an active and healthy lifestyle. To learn more about Asthma, visit The American Lung Association 

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