Recording and Materials Now Available, Fighting for Air Webinar
June 27, 2025
Access webinar materials from the June 25, 2025 webinar, Fighting for Air: Updates on the proposed biomass plant in Springfield:
This webinar featured:
- State Senator Adam Gomez
- Attorney Michael Fenton, Springfield City Council President
- Rusty Polsgrove, Associate Director, Arise for Social Justice
- Dr. Matthew Sadof, pediatrician, Baystate Health
- Sarita Hudson, Senior Director of Strategy and Development, Public Health Institute of Western MA
Learn more about the bills discussed in the webinar:
- H.3549 / S.2288 - An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants
- H.3548/S. S.2287 - An Act limiting the eligibility of woody biomass as an alternative energy supply
View some of the media coverage of the event:
- Webinar held to address possible Springfield biomass plant, Western Mass News, 6/25/25
- Battle over proposed Springfield biomass plant rages on, New England Public Media, 6/26/25
- Foes, officials won’t shrink from fight to keep ‘Frankenstein’ plant out of city, The Republican, 6/26/25
- Health advocates warn proposed wood-burning plant in Springfield will worsen asthma rates, CommonWealth Beacon, 7/1/25
- Springfield leaders continue fight against biomass plant, The Reminder, 7/2/25
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In 1996, courageous and visionary leaders from competing healthcare institutions created a public health organization to bring people together, secure resources, and convene multiple sectors to focus on community health issues that were not being addressed. That collective vision and action manifested in Partners for a Healthier Community, now the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Over the past 30 year s, we have strengthened partnerships and uplifted community voices. We are more committed than ever to ensure everyone has what they need to lead a healthy life. Thank you for your decades of partnership and lifetime of active hope.
Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2022, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities? Watch the recording from the 1/9/26 webinar. Speakers included Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion was moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Webinar Materials recording slides Video shared by Mark Gottlieb- Online Casino Gambling Ad Take Action This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting, AND, OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Instructions & Email Template Links Shared during webinar Read speaker bios Understanding Youth Gambling Behavior in Springfield: Findings from the Springfield Youth Health Survey PHIWM Written Testimony An Act relative to internet gaming An Act addressing economic, health and social harms caused by sports betting The MA Problem Gambling Helpline , 800-327-5050
This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to: A. SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting AND B. OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Step 1. Write and send an email on your own time, from your personal email , unless you are representing your employer, with their approval. This action is lobbying.* Step 2. Use any (or all) of this template to write your email; be sure to tailor the highlighted blanks with your own words.
