Agenda Summary
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Opposing private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Civil Airport and region wide.
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Official Text
WHEREAS, Massport, the owner of Hanscom Field, the largest private jet airport in New England (as distinct from Hanscom Air Force Base), has proposed to build additional hangars on nearly fifty acres for the exclusive use of private luxury travel. This expansion would result in hundreds of thousands of tons of additional carbon emissions, in opposition to every climate goal our towns, cities, the Commonwealth, and the nation have set forth; and
WHEREAS, These aircraft are powered by carbon-based fuel that, when combusted, emits fine particulates harmful to life, and many flights will be directly over Somerville; and
WHEREAS, Private jets are recognized as the least-efficient and highest-polluting form of travel per passenger, both for their carbon footprint and particulates produced; and
WHEREAS, It is not appropriate nor equitable that Somerville, an environmental justice community already dealing with the air-quality impacts of Interstate 93 and state highways that cut through our city, should bear the burden of increased pollution; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED That the Somerville City Council, strongly opposes the expansion of private jet facilities at Hanscom Field or anywhere in the region, and requests the Governor of Massachusetts to take all possible actions to prevent the expansion of private jet facilities at Hanscom Field or anywhere in the region.