Municipal Resolution Campaign
Below you’ll find:
Municipalities that have passed Resolutions
Interested? Email: muni@stopprivatejetexpansion.org
The Following Municipalities Have Passed a Resolution or Statement Opposing The Expansion:
Click the sign to read each one!
Passed September 29, 2023.
Passed May 6, 2024
The Select Boards of Bedford, Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln signed onto a Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) letter on 10/20/2023.
Read the joint HATS letter here
Passed February 2024
Read the story here
Passed May 7, 2024
Passed April 2024
Read the story here
Passed June 10, 2024.
Read the story here
Learn how to get involved below and stay tuned for new additions.
Interested? Email: muni@stopprivatejetexpansion.org
CALL TO ACTION
ASK YOUR TOWN OR CITY TO PASS A MUNICIPAL RESOLUTION
Urging Governor Healey to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere
Why does this issue concern Municipalities throughout Massachusetts?
Private jets are recognized as the most carbon-intensive form of travel per passenger, and are used by a privileged few -- 0.003% -- of the world’s population, frequently for recreation and convenience.
While Towns and Cities across Massachusetts are working hard to reduce their carbon emissions, Massport-owned Hanscom Field airport is proposing an immense 522,000 sq ft new facility to hangar and service 66-79 additional private jets at the airport. (Note: Massport’s Hanscom Field is separate and distinct from Hanscom Air Force Base, which has no airfield.)
According to an independent study, the proposed expansion would add approximately 6,000 additional overall private jet flights annually to Hanscom, and would generate about 150,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
If the expansion goes forward, private jet emissions from Hanscom alone would cancel approximately 70% of the climate gains from solar PV currently installed in Massachusetts.
Even as Massachusetts accelerates its build-out of clean electric systems, following the newly passed MA climate bill in November 2024, private jet emissions will continue to undercut climate gains achieved from these efforts. Why? Because private jet flights are soaring and the private jet aviation industry is planning to grow indefinitely. This is why airport developers are pushing for more hangars.
The only way to stop private jet expansion is to stop building hangars. Not at Hanscom. Not Anywhere.
Why should your Town or City approve a Municipal Resolution?
The proposed private jet build-out at Hanscom is a direct threat to Massachusetts efforts to combat climate change and would produce dramatic setbacks that our state – and climate – cannot afford.
When Municipalities across the state express their opposition to this reckless plan by sending a Municipal Resolution, Governor Healey will take notice.
Interested in asking your Town or City to take this action?
Please email us for our Municipal Resolution TOOLKIT or for more information at: muni@stopprivatejetexpansion.org
News Coverage
Select Board eyes Hanscom private jet expansion resolution,
5/29/24
”Launa Zimmaro, representing the Concord/Carlisle League of Women Voters, and Alex Chatfield, of the Massport Community Advisory Council and founding member of the Stop Private Jets Coalition, asked the Select Board on May 28 to sign a resolution banning private luxury jet expansion at Hanscom Field. Ten municipalities have signed the resolution to block construction of a new 500,000-square-foot jet hangar that includes 17 new hangars and will more than double the infrastructure for private luxury jets at Hanscom.….”
For the full story, you can click here.
Forum: The largest proposed greenhouse gas emissions project in Massachusetts, 6/12/24
”At the May 28 Carlisle Select Board meeting, I heard excellent presentations about the Hanscom Luxury Private Jet Hanger Expansion Project by Alex Chatfield, Cofounder of Stop Private Jet Expansion, and Launa Zimmaro of the League of Women Voters. As a result, I am compelled to write again about the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions project in Massachusetts. There are new studies and updates since my previous Hanscom Expansion Mosquito Forum article of March 9, and the decision affecting us all is looming….”
For the full story, click here.
Sudbury Joins Opposition To Hanscom Private Jet Hangars, 4/25/24
The Sudbury Select Board this week voted in favor of a resolution opposing the expansion of hangars at Hanscom Airfield, saying the plan to expand storage for private jets is the antithesis of Sudbury's climate goals.
For the full story, click here.
City Councilors Urged to Sign Letter Against Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom Field, 3/3/24
Individual city councilors in Newton are being asked to sign a position statement against the private jet expansion at Massport owned Hanscom Field. Some have already signed. Still, Newton residents are being asked by Mothers Out Front, Newton, and Green Newton to contact city councilors to sign the letter that says, “As Newton city councilors, we oppose the expansion of private jet facilities at Hanscom Field, or elsewhere, for private luxury travel, because such an expansion is contrary to the urgent need to reduce the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions and environmental justice goals. It is neither appropriate nor equitable to enable the ultra-wealthy to exacerbate the loss and damage caused by the climate crisis.”
For the full story, click here.