Over the next few days we will be sharing the three testimonials that were personally shared with Governor Patrick during our most recent meeting with him on September 22nd. First up is Jodi from Andover: "My name is Jodi MacDonald and I joined Mothers Out Front this spring. I have 2 children. My son Scott is a high school senior - he tells me “don’t get arrested” when I leave for a rally. He thinks I’m a rebel. My daughter Amanda is at Rice University studying Environmental Engineering. I learned about Mothers Out Front in June and was impressed by this group of moms who decided to take action for what they believe in. I attended their Switch Event in Boston and in addition to making the switch to clean energy for my family; I was able to meet so many like minded women. When I heard them speak from their hearts, I felt that their words could have been mine. Shortly after, I read about the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline. The more I learned, the more disheartened I became. My home is heated with natural gas which I had always believed to be a clean choice. I had never made the connection between fracking and my natural gas! I’ve learned that natural gas is mostly methane - a potent greenhouse gas leaking from pipelines all over our state! It has become clear to me that natural gas is not a bridge fuel –an interim solution. As I learned these truths, I felt more and more powerless. Inspired by Mothers Out Front, I started doing things I had never done before. Instead of just clicking “like” on Facebook, I wrote letters to my elected officials and to my local paper. I put a sign on my lawn. I spoke out at Board of Selectman meetings. I attended rallies. And I am not the only one. 100s of people attended a Kinder Morgan info session in Andover and now we are organizing our own opposition session. Andover told Kinder Morgan “No” you cannot survey our conservation land. Our town leaders joined with over a dozen towns to form a regional coalition in opposition to the pipeline. I was in NYC yesterday marching for my children. This movement cannot be ignored. And I am proud to part of it. I can tell my children that I didn’t stand idly by while my generation made selfish choices."
