MA Environment Group Backs Valletti For Peabody Light Commission

PEABODY, MA — A Massachusetts environmental advocacy group opposed to the proposed fossil fuel-powered surge capacity generator in Peabody endorsed Tracy Valletti for a spot on the Peabody Light Commission.

Valletti has voiced her opposition to Project 2015A, which will replace one of the aging generators at the Waters River substation with a 55-megawatt, gas- and oil-powered generator that the Massachusetts Wholesale Electric Company said is necessary to reliably meet power needs in case of a catastrophic weather event.

Those opposed to the generator have said any new fossil fuel-powered plant represents a "power source of the past" and is in contradiction with a state mandate to become carbon neutral by 2050.

"Tracy has the experience and knowledge necessary to be a great Municipal Light Commissioner," ELM Action Fund Executive Director Clare Kelly said in a statement to Patch. "As the only candidate opposed to the Peaker gas plant, we know she understands the connections between public health and where the community gets its power, and she will be a voice on the commission to protect the health and wellbeing of all Peabody's residents."

"Thank you to the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund for endorsing my campaign,” Valletti responded. “I got in this race for a simple reason: to stop the proposed $85 million gas plant in downtown Peabody and replace it with clean energy. We all have a part to play in protecting the environment and making the Earth a better place for our children. If we come together as a community, I know we can move Peabody forward."

Valletti said her campaign priorities are increasing clean energy resources, installing more electric vehicle charging stations and having solar panels placed on all public buildings.

More on the ELM Action Fund can be found here.

(Those looking to submit an endorsement for a candidate in the upcoming Peabody citywide election on Nov. 2 can send them to Scott.Souza@patch.com.)