Time to turn up the heat in the dryer struggle.
Currently, the Massachusetts “Right to Dry” bill is before the state’s Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules. The chair of that committee (and thus the person who can move the bill forward) is Senate Majority Leader Stan Rosenberg of Amherst, MA, who represents towns from Hampshah, Franklin, and Worcestah [sic] Counties.
We are hoping that you will either email or call Senator Rosenberg to urge him to move the bill forward.
Here are some basic facts:
+ 60 million or more Americans (roughly, 20% of the US population) live in community associations such as mobile home parks, condos, and “gated communities.” The vast majority of these places have rules or covenants restrictinig or banning the use of the clothesline.
+ Our partner, The Sightline Institute, claims that there are 19 states that have voided bans on the clothesline, either directly through “right-to-dry” laws or indirectly through solar right’s legislation.
+ Project Laundry List estimates that the burden of drying our clothes in a machine is equal, in the United States, to about 3-5% of electricity usage across all sectors or 9 to 15% of domestic energy use
Call Senator Stanley Rosenberg
The Senator’s contact info is:
Senator Rosenberg (D-Amherst, MA)
State House
Room 333
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-722-1532
Fax: 617-722-1062
Email: Stan.Rosenberg@masenate.gov
If you contact the Senator, please reference the bill number: S.924, An Act relative to the right to dry. It would be especially helpful if you are from Massachusetts to make contact and please mention that you’re a Massachusetts resident (the opinions of state residents will carry a lot more sway).