麻州慶祝植樹節種下第4000棵樹 推「納涼走廊」新計畫

(Boston Orange編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)為慶祝植樹節 (Arbor Day) ，今 (26) 日率隊前往Chicopee的Stefanik小學，種下「綠化門戶城市」項目的第4000棵樹，並宣佈擴大實施促進社區環境正義的種樹計畫，改名「納涼迴廊 (Cooling Corridor)」。

「綠化門戶城市」項目在26個門戶城市中的23各城市中運作，新的「納涼迴廊」計畫則將擴大行動，連這26個門戶城市以外的地方，也會去種樹。

麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)表示，沒有比進入社區種樹更好的方式來慶祝地球週和植樹日了。「納涼迴廊」將不只有助於降低城鎮氣溫，位居民節省能源開銷，增加務業價值，還能創造薪資好的工作機會。

「綠化門戶城市」是環境及能源事務廳 (EEA)、保護級娛樂廳( DCR)合作，能源及資源署 (DOER)，住宅及宜居社區廳  (EOHLC) ，以及地方市鎮政府和草根社區組織協辦的種樹計畫，旨在降低市鎮的熱島效應，從雀喜市(Chelsea)、Holyoke市和秋河市,( Fall River)開始，如今已在26個門戶城市中的23各城市種樹。

這些樹由DCR的美化森林及城市和社區森林組聘請地方社區人士承辦，種6英尺到10英尺高的樹，目標是把特定鄰里的5%地表，都覆蓋上樹蔭，一般都在4至6月的春天，以及9到11月的秋天種植。在人口密集的城市區，平均每英畝面積種職5棵樹，可至少幫15到25戶人家更為陰涼。依照這樣的種樹速度，估計8年可增加1%的綠蔭覆蓋率，30年增加到5%的覆蓋率。

在1971到2000年間，麻州有過4天氣溫超過華氏90度，但是跨入本世紀中葉，氣溫衝到這種高度的日子，多達10到28天。

In Celebration of Arbor Day, Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces New Program to Expand Tree Plantings in Environmental Justice Communities 

Cooling Corridors will build on the successful Greening the Gateway Cities Program, which planted its 40,000^th Tree  

"We're thrilled to take part in this event, celebrating the achievements of the Greening the Gateway Cities program. General John J. Stefanik School was honored to plant the 40,000th tree, showing our support for this initiative. Hosting this ceremony at our school fills us with pride, and we were delighted to welcome so many visitors. The expansion of this program, along with the introduction of Cooling Corridors, reaffirms our dedication to creating sustainable urban environments and enhancing the quality of life for all Chicopee residents. At Stefanik, our stars truly shine the brightest,” said Gen. John J. Stefanik Memorial School Principal Amanda L. Theriault.  

The GGCP is a partnership between EEA, DCR’s Urban & Community Forestry Program, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), along with gateway cities and local grassroots organizations. These tree planting efforts help decrease the urban heat island effect, reduce energy use, address flooding from stormwater runoff, and improve the quality of life in these cities. The program began in Chelsea, Holyoke, and Fall River. Since then, the program has expanded into 23 of the original 26 gateway cities. GGCP plants trees in Environmental Justice areas within gateway cities that generally have lower tree canopy, older housing, and larger renter populations. The program is currently active in Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.   

Trees are planted by DCR’s Bureau of Forestry and Urban & Community Forestry crews hired from their local communities. The program plants trees ranging from six feet to 10 feet in height with a goal of covering five percent of the target neighborhoods in new tree canopy cover. Trees are planted from April to June in the spring, and from September to November in the fall, weather permitting. In high-density urban neighborhoods, planting an average of 5 trees per acre (roughly one third of a block) will provide benefits to 15-25 households, depending on building density. Planting this number of trees will increase canopy by an estimated 1% in eight years and 5% in 30 years.  

 Tree planting is an important strategy as the climate warms. Between 1971 and 2000, the Commonwealth experienced four days with temperatures over 90°F. By midcentury, it is expected to experience between 10 and 28 such days. Environmental justice populations are particularly at risk from extreme temperature–related health effects because they reside in temperature hotspots. Trees near a home directly shade structures, significantly lowering surface temperatures, while trees up to 1,500 feet away from a home still provide a benefit. Additionally, in the winter months, mature tree trunks and branches help to randomize wind patterns and decrease heat loss by air infiltration in poorly insulated homes. 

麻州政府撥款55萬元資助公校畢業生申請聯邦補助

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $550,000 to Gateway Cities to Boost FAFSA Completion for Schools in Massachusetts 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is providing grants to more than 100 Massachusetts public schools serving Gateway Cities to help high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These grants, totaling more than $550,000, follow an announcement that the state’s priority deadline to apply for Massachusetts financial aid via MASSGrant has been extended from May 1 to July 1, 2024. The awards today are also intended to support schools amid unique nationwide challenges with this year’s FAFSA. As of April 2024, 168,489 students or prospective students in Massachusetts have completed the FAFSA, a decrease from 232,560 in April 2023.
 
“We want high school seniors to know that there is still time to complete the FAFSA and pursue higher education this coming fall,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These additional funds will help reach students who have yet to complete the FAFSA but who aspire to attend college and may benefit from the significant financial aid programs available in Massachusetts.”
 
“These grants allow us to support schools in a final push to reach seniors before they graduate,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Students may have considered a college education but not begun or completed the FAFSA. We know how dedicated our school counselors are to helping these students, and the Administration is working to support them through these funds and by shifting the priority deadline for state financial aid.”
 
The FAFSA completion grants will be issued to public high schools at which 70 percent or more of the students served are from Gateway Cities. The funds are also granted to Massachusetts high schools taking part in the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. High schools will receive grant amounts equal to $30 per 12th grader.
 
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made historic investments in financial aid, but for many students the challenges of FAFSA completion pose barriers to accessing that aid,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It’s not too late for high school seniors to complete the FAFSA, and these grants support schools’ ongoing efforts to help students attend college affordably in the upcoming academic year.”
 
The grant funds for schools are being distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. School leaders and counselors can dedicate grant money to FAFSA completion events or celebrations, and they can purchase prizes such as gifts cards and school-branded merchandise for students who complete the FAFSA or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). Students who cannot complete the FAFSA due to their citizenship status should complete the MASFA.
 
“Students who complete the FAFSA by July 1 and qualify for need-based financial aid are guaranteed some financial support to attend college,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “We encourage students not to leave money on the table. We hope these grants will provide schools with meaningful support as they work with students who have yet to apply for financial aid, but who have the talent and drive to succeed in college.”
 
“We hope schools will use these grants to help encourage students to fill out the FAFSA or MASFA and take that concrete step toward college,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “While many students may have already applied for financial aid, there is still money available.”
 
Along with the later statewide deadline for FAFSA completion, colleges and universities are also moving their deposit deadlines to accommodate students who have yet to apply or have not received financial aid packages that are crucial making college-going decisions. Students should check college or university websites or reach out directly to individual campuses for information about deadlines.
 
Massachusetts public schools receiving funds to support FAFSA completion:

District	Award Amount
Attleboro	Attleboro Community Academy: $570; Attleboro High: $12,690; Attleboro Virtual Academy: $390
Barnstable	Barnstable High: $9,660
Brockton	Brockton High: $19,980; Brockton Virtual Learning Academy: $450; Edison Day Academy: $600; Edison Evening Academy: $1,680; Huntington Therapeutic Day School: $300; New Heights Charter School of Brockton (District): $2,190
Chelsea	Chelsea High: $10,320; Chelsea Opportunity Academy: $2,250; Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy: $510; Phoenix Academy Charter Public High School: $390
Chicopee	Chicopee Academy: $300; Chicopee Comprehensive High School: $8,490; Chicopee High: $6,480; Hampden Charter School of Science East: $1,650
East Boston	East Boston HS- GEAR UP students only: $5,130
Everett	Devens School: $150; Everett High: $14,940; Pioneer Charter School of Science: $1,140
Fall River	Argosy Collegiate Charter School: $1,560; Atlantis Charter (District): Atlantis Charter School: $1,560; B.M.C. Durfee High: $14,700; Diman Regional Vocational Technical High, $7,440; Resiliency Preparatory Academy, $1,680; Stone PK-12 School, $240
Fitchburg	Fitchburg High, $7,770; Goodrich Academy, $2,610; Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential School, $990
Haverhill	Gateway Academy, $300; Greenleaf Academy, $90; Haverhill High, $13,980
Holyoke	Holyoke High, $12,210
Lawrence	Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical, $11,400; High School Learning Center, $4,350; Lawrence High School, $21,630; Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Lawrence, $180; RISE Academy, $840 School for Exceptional Studies, $330
Leominster	Center For Technical Education Innovation, $3,660; Leominster Center for Excellence, $840; Leominster High School, $8,880; Leominster Personalized Virtual Learning Academy (LPVLA), $120
Lowell	Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, $750; Dr. Janice Adie Day School, $120; Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical, $13,380; Leblanc Therapeutic Day School, $270; Lowell High, $22,890; Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School, $870; The Career Academy, $960
Lynn	Classical High, $10,590; Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School, $750; KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, $3,570; Lynn English High, $14,520; Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, $7,920
Malden	Malden High, $13,170
Methuen	Methuen High, $13,830
New Bedford	Global Learning Charter Public School, $750; Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical, $10,980; New Bedford High, $18,120 Trinity Day Academy, $300; Whaling City Junior/Senior High School, $1,260
Peabody	Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program (Peabody P.R.E.P.), $570; Peabody Veterans Memorial High, $8,820
Pittsfield	Eagle Education Academy, $30; Pittsfield High, $5,400; Taconic High, $5,670
Quincy	North Quincy High, $10,980; Quincy High, $10,740
Revere	CityLab Innovation High School, $540; Revere High, $12,270
Salem	New Liberty Innovation School, $600; Salem Academy Charter School, $1,890; Salem High, $6,360; Salem Prep High School, $30
Springfield	Baystate Academy Charter Public School, $1,530; Conservatory of the Arts, $1,290; Gateway to College at Holyoke Community College, $420; Gateway to College at Springfield Technical Community College, $330; High School of Commerce, $7,020; John J. Duggan Academy, $1,950; Liberty Preparatory Academy, $30; Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Springfield, $300; Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, $9,330; Springfield Central High, $16,050; Springfield High School, $2,880; Springfield High School of Science and Technology, $5,730; Springfield International Academy at Sci-Tech, $30; Springfield International Charter School, $2,700; Springfield Public Day High School, $180; The Springfield Renaissance School an Expeditionary Learning School, $1,860; The Springfield Virtual School, $630
Taunton	Taunton Alternative High School, $2,310; Taunton High, $13,680; Taunton Public Virtual Academy (TPVA), $180
Westfield	Westfield High, $7,470; Westfield Technical Academy, $3,300; Westfield Virtual School, $450
West Springfield	Hampden Charter School of Science West, $1,020
Worcester	Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School, $2,340; Burncoat Senior High, $8,970; Claremont Academy, $2,070; Doherty Memorial High, $9,270 North High, $9,930; South High Community, $12,960; University Park Campus School, $1,350; Worcester Technical High, $9,780

波士頓市長吳弭慶祝麥特潘青年及家庭中心重新開幕

MAYOR MICHELLE WU CELEBRATES THE REOPENING OF THE BCYF MATTAHUNT COMMUNITY CENTER

BOSTON - Friday, April 26, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu yesterday joined Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), the Human Services Cabinet, the Public Facilities Department, elected officials, and Mattapan residents to officially reopen the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center which underwent a $12.7 million renovation. The center’s pool will reopen shortly in May. The multi-year renovation of the BCYF Mattahunt and its pool builds on Mayor Wu’s commitment to make Boston a home for everyone.  The Mattahunt pool reopening marks the latest in a number of recent pool renovations and investments. Because of a collaboration between Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the Public Facilities Department, and the Property Management Department, investments of City funding, and improved facilities assessment, the City is on track to have more pools open this year than in previous summers, including the BCYF Clougherty, Draper, Hennigan, Marshall, and Perkins pools. BCYF Marshall Community Center pool opened this fall. The Draper, Hennigan, and Perkins are expected to be open this summer as is the Clougherty Pool, which is undergoing a two-year renovation. This fiscal year, Mayor Wu allocated $34.3 million in the FY24-FY28 capital plan for repairing and renovating the city's pools. “The reopening of the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center and the upcoming reopening of the pool reflect our dedication to connecting families with the necessary resources and giving our youth the joy and lasting memories that come from these community centers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful for the team members that contributed to this and I am excited to see how this beautiful space will be used.” The renovations include the removal and replacement of floors and windows, the repairing and painting of the gym, lobby, vestibule, and multipurpose rooms, the addition of an accessible bathroom and accessible stage, a recording studio, the renovation of the gymnasium and pool area, a new fire suppression system to the building, and new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and lighting. The City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department managed the construction project working with STUDIO ENÉE architects and Paul J. Rogan Company, inc. general contractors.

“We are thrilled to be able to reopen this beautiful space and to restore programming to both this school community and the surrounding neighborhood of Mattapan,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services. “This renovated BCYF center will provide endless opportunities for youth and families to explore sports, arts, and other enrichment activities.” “We are delighted to welcome everyone to the newly renovated Mattahunt Community Center,” said Director of Public Facilities Kerrie Griffin. “It is now fully equipped to cater to the needs of every visitor. With updated floors, windows, and a freshly painted gym, complemented by an accessible bathroom and contemporary furniture and lighting, it serves as a hub where individuals of all ages can come together to collaborate, learn, and have fun.” “BCYF staff have been working hard to curate a range of diverse and enriching programs and events that cater to the interests and needs of the community members,” said Marta E. Rivera, Commissioner of Boston Centers for Youth & Families. “We can’t wait to get this center open and welcome back the families of Mattapan and beyond.” The center is designed to serve all ages and will offer diverse and enriching programs and events that cater to the interests and needs of the community members. Programming will include aquatics programming, basketball, soccer, badminton, rugby, and other sports and fitness programs for youth, along with enrichment courses such as music and STEM. There is currently no charge for membership or programming but visitors need to create a membership at Boston.gov/BCYF-Registration. Registration for classes and programs can be found on the center’s webpage, Boston.gov/BCYF-Mattahunt.

APIAVote推出紀念性亞美選民參與2024選舉週期活動

 APIAVote Launches Monumental Asian-American Voter Engagement Effort for 2024 Election Cycle

More Than $5 Million Effort Includes GOTV Activations, Presidential Town Hall, Voter Fact Sheets, Voter Surveys, Campus Partnerships, and a Youth Ambassador Program 

WASHINGTON, DC — Following the record-breaking turnout of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters in the 2020 elections, APIAVote is launching its most ambitious voter engagement and education campaign for the 2024 election cycle. Partnering with 60 organizations across 30 states, APIAVote aims to sustain and build upon growing civic participation in AAPI communities through a multi-layered strategy, including a multi-lingual direct mail campaign targeting 1.5 million AAPI households in key states, targeted phone and text banking, digital ads, a voter protection hotline, a presidential town hall, and on-the-ground GOTV efforts, among other activities and initiatives. 

“Asian Americans have been the fastest growing group of eligible voters in the U.S. over the past two decades, growing by 15 percent in the last four years alone, and Asian Americans have turned out in record numbers in every federal election since 2016,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director and Co-Founder of APIAVote. “This is all despite a historic lack of engagement by political campaigns and parties. In a year when voters across the board appear more disaffected and disillusioned than ever, our focus at APIAVote is to show that AAPI voters remain engaged in the democratic process and that political candidates and parties should never take them for granted.”  

Through generous support from donors including the Yield Fund, the Wallace H, Coulter Foundation, and Open Society Foundations, APIAVote is planning to spend more than $5 million during the 2024 election season, including $3 million in subgrants to local partner organizations’ civic engagement programs.  

Among the activities and initiatives APIAVote has planned during the 2024 election are:  

· Operating a dedicated, multi-lingual AAPI voter protection hotline (888-API-VOTE)

· A multi-lingual voter education video series will cover voting rights and registration procedures tailored to AAPI voters across 30 states via several local partner organizations

· Strategic multilingual digital ad campaigns to reinforce the importance of voting

· A multilingual direct mail campaign targeting 1.5 million AAPI households in collaboration with partners in key states

· Recruit and train student ambassadors from 50 college campuses nationwide to serve as APIAVote’s 2024 Youth Ambassadors and implement on-campus voter engagement programs

· Recently released AAPI Voter State Fact Sheets, which offer insights into voter engagement indicators for all 50 states and the District of Columbia

· Expanding APIAVote’s capacity to monitor and analyze disinformation trends as they pertain to voting rights, elections, democracy, anti-Asian hate, and harmful narratives about or originating from within the AAPI community

APIAVote will also convene a National AAPI Leadership Summit from July 11-12 and host its Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia on July 13, providing a crucial forum for engagement. Timed to the Summit and Presidential Town Hall, APIAVote will also release its biannual Asian American Voter Survey — the oldest and longest running pre-election survey that reveals key elections issues that matter most to Asian American voters including priority issues, political leanings, voting preferences and favorability scores on candidates. 

 APIAVote’s Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute (NYMLI) will also work with partners across the country to host trainings to equip community organizers with the skills and knowledge to drive impactful voter engagement and education initiatives. Focusing mainly on nonprofit staff, community leaders and volunteers, NYMLI is dedicated to engaging AAPI communities in successful electoral campaigns. The Institute hosts highly localized trainings to ensure that voting laws in each state are accounted for in order to share best practices and strategies specific to each locale.  

APIAVote Executive Director Christine Chen has been a champion for the empowerment of AAPI communities from the start of her career and has taken on organizing and leadership roles with organizations like Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) while also offering expert consulting and guidance services through Strategic Alliances USA — a firm built on her broad and deep pool of relationships and skills in the AAPI community and in government. Chen is the foremost expert on the important role the AAPI community plays in today’s political landscape. She currently serves on the Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board and the Center for Asian American Media and is also a member of the Election Assistance and Policy (EAP) Standing Committee at the American Political Science Association.  

This more than $5 million effort from APIAVote is just the latest in the leading AAPI civic and voter education nonprofit’s work to effectively engage the near 20 million Asian Americans across the United States who have been historically neglected and overlooked in mainstream political polling, campaign and party outreach efforts and other key conversations in election coverage. APIAVote has cultivated and amplified the rapidly-growing voter turnout and political participation of AAPI communities since 2007, investing in their capacity and infrastructure to mobilize voters. This investment, as well as proactively training and resourcing community leaders across the country, paid off in the 2020 election cycle and Census.

Mass Leads Act proposes a new ten-year strategy to make Massachusetts the climate innovation hub for the world

 Mass Leads Act proposes a new ten-year strategy to make Massachusetts the climate

innovation hub for the world 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey continued her Mass Leads Road Show with visits to Electric Hydrogen in Devens and Triton Anchor in Chelmsford.  

In Devens, she was joined by Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, MassCEC CEO Emily Reichert and other industry leaders to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Electric Hydrogen’s new gigafactory. Electric Hydrogen is a Massachusetts-based climatetech startup company that manufactures electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. They are designing electrolyzer systems to decarbonize critical industries such as steel, ammonia fertilizer, aviation, maritime shipping, chemicals, and heavy-duty transportation that account for about 20% of global GHG emissions. The company recently won two major awards from the U.S. Department of Energy: a $46 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the creation and deployment of American-made hydrogen and a Treasury tax credit for $18.3 million, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, for its electrolyzer manufacturing facility in Devens. Electric Hydrogen is also among

Time Magazine’s top 100 climate tech companies of 2024. 

In Chelmsford, she stopped at Triton Anchor into highlight the state’s long-term vision to lead on clean energy and climate tech innovation. Triton Anchor is the leading developer of anchor floating offshore wind and marine renewable energy platforms. The company spun out of Triton Systems, a developer of technology-based solutions for growing markets in energy, biotech, and security, in 2022. 

"Massachusetts is set to be a global leader in the climatetech, and both of these innovative and cutting-edge companties are excellent of examples of how we lead and what the climatetech industry means to our state,” said Governor Healey. “We believe in the mission of protecting our planet and our communities through innovative solutions, and we also believe in the opportunity this moment represents, to create great careers and drive our economy for generations to come. Our Mass Leads Act will support innovative companies like Triton and Electric Hydrogen and make Massachusetts the climate innovation hub for the world.” 

“Electric Hydrogen is a Massachusetts success story – and it’s one that’s going to have a tremendous impact across the United States and around the world. That’s why we secured $46 million in federal funding to boost the manufacturing of their high-capacity electrolyzers that will be essential in the creation of green hydrogen necessary to decarbonize heavy industries,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I’m proud to work alongside Governor Healey and her administration to support the Commonwealth’s incredible climate technology companies and their talented workers. Together, we’re committed to making sure climate tech isn’t just manufactured in America, but that it’s made right here in Massachusetts.” 

“We’re fortunate to have Massachusetts businesses dedicated to combatting climate change. Triton and Electric Hydrogen’s contributions are ensuring that we lead in the offshore wind industry and green hydrogen sectors,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “Through our Mass Leads Act, we aim to support these companies and all others in Massachusetts in scaling towards greatness. Together as Team Massachusetts, we’re advancing our state’s competitiveness and sustainability.” 

“Decarbonizing heavy industries such as steel, aviation, and maritime shipping is critical to reducing our global greenhouse gas emissions. Electric Hydrogen’s innovation is moving us closer to tackling this challenge right here in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We have made New England the hub for the offshore wind industry, and Triton Anchor’s technology will help lower costs for cutting edge floating wind turbines. These two companies represent Massachusetts’ thriving climatetech industry. Our Mass Leads Act will maintain our competitiveness as the industry grows globally.” 

Both of these visits are part of the Governor’s Mass Leads Act Road Show during which she is traveling to communities across Massachusetts to highlight the ways in which her recently proposed economic development bill will grow the state’s economy, support businesses and attract talent. The bill proposes a new ten-year, $1 billion strategy to make Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the world, and includes a framework for capital, tax incentives, and operations. 

“Our mission is to end fossil fuel use in heavy industry. We chose Devens for our first factory because of the incredible skilled workforce in Massachusetts and the environment Governor Healey, Representative Trahan, and the Congressional delegation are creating to help climate tech companies grow and create manufacturing jobs in Massachusetts,” said Raffi Garabedian, Electric Hydrogen Co-Founder and CEO.  

“Triton Anchor is grateful for the support of the Governor and the Mass CEC”, said David Model, Managing Director of Triton Anchor and COO of Triton Systems. “We have a 30 year history of innovation in Massachusetts, but bringing large capital intensive projects like floating offshore wind to reality requires a level of financial and infrastructural support well beyond one company.  We are excited to be part of the New Blue Economy, and Mas Leads will enable an entire ecosystem, from State support to our partner organizations around the Commonwealth.” 

“The Town of Chelmsford fully-supports Governor Healey’s strategic investments in climate technology,” said Chelmsford Town Manager Paul Cohen. “Triton Anchor’s innovate offshore mooring system research and development has provided quality jobs in the Town’s Route 129 economic corridor.”   

Governor Healey is proposing a $1 billion, 10-year climatetech initiative to make Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the world. The initiative would create jobs, support technology development and infrastructure to reduce emissions, and promote resilience locally. Massachusetts would be well positioned as a global leader in climatetech. The funds and programs would help companies start and scale in Massachusetts, creating well paying jobs across the state. The initiative has three core parts:  

1.       Capital Funding: The bill would provide significant capital resources to MassCEC for the first time. Bond authorizations can support research and development, innovation, manufacturing, commercialization, and the deployment of climatetech technologies, including offshore wind, across Massachusetts.  

2.       Tax Incentives: The bill would authorize funding for tax incentives, which will help ensure the state is competitive in attracting and retaining these businesses. The initiative proposes to establish a new Climatetech Tax Incentive Program to enable the state to invest in climatetech companies, expand employment opportunities and support research and development. The bill also seeks to continue implementation of the newly created Offshore Wind Tax Credit and proposes some strategic changes to further grow the program.  

3.       Operating Funding: This ten-year strategy underscores the critical importance of annual operating support through the state budget process for MassCEC, which is instrumental in fostering the climatetech industry and training a clean energy workforce. Operating funds will enable MassCEC to deploy stable programming and initiatives to reach areas that capital programs and tax incentives aren’t able to reach. This includes workforce development initiatives, internships, strategic partnerships, and operations. 

For more information about the Mass Leads Act, visit the Economic Development Bill website.  

逾百名支持巴勒斯坦在愛默生學院旁紮營抗議者被捕 移送法辦

                 (Boston Orange 編譯) 加薩的以巴衝突來到麻州，已從劍橋市的哈佛、MIT等院校延燒到波士頓市的愛默生學院 (Emerson College) ，還越演越烈，從學生對立，發展成波士頓警察局出動鎮暴警察，108名學生被捕，4名警察受傷。

                                            愛默生學院支持巴勒斯坦的學生們，在學校位於波約斯頓街 (Boylston) 旁的小巷子 (2B Alley)紮營已3天了。波士頓警察局和消防局人員在4月23日時已經警告學生們，在巷弄紮營違反了市府條例規定，執法機關很快就會採取行動。到24日凌晨1點半時，波士頓警察踏進紮營區清除了帳篷，還要學生們離開，隨後逮捕了那些不願意離開人。

                                        在衝突中，有108名學生被捕，4名警察受傷。

                                        目擊事件的學生形容警察採取的是強制行動，還動用手銬的把學生架走。

                                    愛默生學院校長Jay Bernhardt為因應此事，加以處理，在一份聲明上宣佈了24日停課，強調支持社區成員的抗議權力，但也指出需要遵守州市政府的規定。

                                目前全美各地許多校園都出現支持巴勒斯坦人的抗議行動。哥倫比亞大學4月17日才出現過類似行動。麻州的麻省理工學院，塔芙茨大學，哈佛大學都發生過類似的抗議活動。

                        根據愛默生學生報 Berkeley Beacon的報導，24日凌晨2點左右，7輛廂型警車開到波約斯頓街學生紮營區附近。沒多久，警察就開始逮捕人了。有人在現場拍到的照片顯示，警察們戴著頭盔，面罩，有些人甚至穿著作戰裝備。

                            愛默生學院大三學生Adam Nuñez說，警察來到離運輸大樓 (Transportation bldg..) 幾英尺之遙的波約斯頓街巷弄時，他正好在紮營區前面。結果他被人從衣領抓起來，壓到一張桌子上，再摔到地上，然後被拖進運輸大樓。大約30分鐘後，他就被羈押進警察局，在那兒過了一碗。

                                    另一名不願透露姓名的女學生說，她和同伴手臂牽手臂的在紮營區。警察把巷弄的兩端封鎖後，開始拆開人群，給她上了手銬。她覺得簡直就像在戰區一樣。

                                        被羈押的學生們在大約早上7點被釋放後，聚集到了波士頓地方法院5樓的17號房間前。大約早上10點半，他們一小群一小群的被叫去和全國律師協會 (National Lawyers Guild) 的律師Antonio Massa Viana商談。

                    Viana說，他不知道示威會面對什麼樣的罪名，不過其中有些人很可能被控以騷擾寧靜，其他人則會被控以”侵入”。他在法庭門外說，”我們得記得，這個國家是支持為正義發聲的，那是我們從人們年紀還很小時就教他們的，人們應該站出來，為他們認為是對的事發聲”。

                                他繼續說，”你有一群和平集會的學生，然後警察來了，把他們帶走。這代表美國最好的一面嗎”?

                                    波士頓市長吳弭在出席其他活動，被問到此事時，她說: “波士頓市是一個維護抗議權力對我們非常重要的城市，經常有許多抗議活動，卻從未發生過什麼事故”。她說，問題不在於示威，而是紮營造成的消防和安全危險。公眾通行權遭遇阻礙。

                                 吳弭市長說，警察和學生們為此溝通有段時間了，而且非常清楚知道目標是什麼，不是逮捕，不是互動，而是確保公眾安全，疏通該區域的公眾通行權，確保移除了消防危險。

             她也說，有關人員正在檢視驅散紮營警察們所穿戴的隨身相機。

             波士頓市議會議長Ruthzee Louijeune說，”任何針對和平抗議者的案件都應被駁回”。

             美國民主社會主義者波士頓分會 (Boston DAS) 也向各界發聲明，譴責愛默生學院與有關單位同謀，譴責麻州州長和波士頓市長容許暴力鎮壓。