1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

governor As an ordained pastor, faith leader, and proud constituent of Massachusetts, I respectfully urge you to take all possible actions to prevent the proposed private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Field airport or anywhere for the following reasons: I believe love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. The values we share include all the following, which we hold as inseparable and deeply interconnected: Interdependence, Pluralism, Justice, Transformation, Generosity, and Equity. Only 0.003% of the world’s population use private jets, much of it for leisure, meaning that the private jets of 23 ultra-rich people on average emit the equivalent to 300 years’ worth of emissions for the average person in the world, or over 2,000 years’ worth for someone among the global poorest 50% (Oxfam study Carbon Inequality Kills) -- an intolerable environmental injustice and a deplorable use of our remaining carbon budget.
 Despite the worsening climate crisis and the fact that private jets are recognized as the most polluting form of travel per passenger mile for their carbon footprint, private jet use is expected to grow 4-8% annually, private jet sales are soaring, and the resulting highly polluting emissions will continue to outstrip existing and forthcoming energy efficiencies, including those anticipated from the newly passed Massachusetts climate bill.
 Massport, the owner and operator of Hanscom Field airport, has proposed an immense new hangar facility for private jets which would add approximately 6,000 private jet flights a year and an estimated 150,000 tons of polluting greenhouse gas emissions annually over current levels – in direct opposition to the climate goals that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has set forth.

Private jet emissions from Hanscom Field airport alone already cancel 50% of the climate benefits from all solar PV installed in Massachusetts, and if the proposed expansion goes forward, that impact is expected to increase to approximately 70%—a setback that our Commonwealth and the climate cannot afford.
 The only viable recourse to stop the expansion of private jet use is to stop hangars from being built at Hanscom, Logan, or anywhere. 

Now more than ever, Massachusetts must stand as a beacon for responsible climate action. 
I implore you: 
1. Recognize that we have a moral imperative to act for a just and equitable transition to a livable climate and that expanding hangars anywhere for private jets is immoral and unconscionable.

2. Stand in solidarity with frontline communities in their efforts to oppose private jet expansion.

3. Respectfully request that you take all possible actions to prevent the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom Field airport or anywhere.