Submitted by Christopher O’Keeffe
Thank you for your recent article on the environmental impact of the proposed hangar expansion at Hanscom Field (As Report Nears Completion, Hanscom Hangar Developer Provides Details).
The plan to expand private aviation for the wealthy “flies” in the face of the Commonwealth’s climate goals and the health of our planet. Consider:
- Private jets are the most polluting form of travel per passenger for their carbon footprint.
- The proposed plans would effectively nullify over 50% of the climate gains from all the solar power ever installed in Massachusetts, and it will endanger the Commonwealth’s achievement of its climate goals.
- In addition to its local effects, your proposal to dramatically increase private jet capacity will encourage similar projects elsewhere, multiplying the harm caused.
When the developers assert that the project will achieve Net Zero emissions by 2031, they base this misleading claim only on reduction in building emissions – with NO inclusion of aviation greenhouse gas emissions whatsoever. This is greenwashing, plain and simple.
Private jet travel is a privilege for the few at the expense of the many. Eighty percent of the world’s population has never been on even a commercial plane, yet they bear the brunt of climate change. It’s time to reverse this trend, not extend it.
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