麻州州長拜訪Moderna的Norwood實驗室 宣佈12到15歲青少年將可注射疫苗

麻州州長查理貝克參訪Merdona的Norwood實驗室。

            (Boston Orange綜合編譯)一旦聯邦政府批准，麻州就會開始讓12至15歲兒童，在父母同意後接種輝瑞(Pfizer)新冠病毒疫苗。麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今日下午參訪Moderna新近擴建的諾塢(Norwood)實驗室後，這麼宣佈。

                         這個年齡段的麻州人口，約有40萬。

             查理貝克也宣佈，麻州很快將推出雇主疫苗計畫，容許企業在七個大型疫苗站保留一批注射疫苗的預約機會，或要求流動疫苗注射門診去工作現場，為員工注射疫苗。

Moderna執行長Stephane Bancel表示該公司擴大產能，正在招聘。

             他表示，麻州公共衛生廳已聯絡初級照護及兒童科醫生，討論相關流程，以確保聯邦政府批准後，這些醫生的診所能夠施打輝瑞疫苗。如果家長有問題，也可以聯絡他們的初級照護供應者，或是他們的小兒科醫生，以獲取更多資訊。他也說已有不少12到15歲這年齡段的人，預約了注射疫苗。

             聯邦政府食物及藥品管理局(FDA)已於週一批准給12到15歲兒童及青少年注射輝瑞疫苗。聯邦疾病防治中心免疫做法顧問委員會訂今日投票。聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)主任Rochelle Walensky接著必須批准委員會的建議。

            “CVS健康”在聯邦食品藥品局批准需注射兩劑的疫苗，可在緊急使用下，為12到15歲兒童及青少年注射後，今日也宣佈，該公司位於全美各地的5600家藥房，現在開始可以為這一年齡段的青少年注射新冠疫苗。

             羅德島州的23家CVS零售藥房也將從週四起，在父母或法定監護人同意下，為12到15歲青少年注射新冠疫苗。CVS鼓勵各人預約疫苗注射，但在供應量足夠的情況下，也接受臨時出現的注射疫苗要求。

             由於目前聯邦疾病防治中心只批准了輝瑞疫苗用於12到15歲年齡段青少年。

             CVS迄今已在長照機構及零售店面為1700萬民眾施打了新冠疫苗。5月16日開始，將在全美50州，以及波多黎各，華府的9600零售店面，提供疫苗注射。

 Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will join Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, Moderna Therapeutics CEO Stephane Bancel, Moderna Therapeutics Head of Manufacturing Science & Technology Paul Chen and Moderna Therapeutics Senior Vice President of US Manufacturing Scott Nickerson to tour Moderna's laboratory facility and provide an update on COVID-19 vaccination

波士頓人口白人仍過半 明年市長肯定非白人

美國人口統計局資料。

             (Boston Orange)波士頓市申請提名表的最後一天，5月11日，剛過去了，下一任市長候選人有哪些，也基本落實了。現在可以很肯定地說，今年的波士頓市長候選人，不但多元化程度史無前例，還絕大多數是女性、是有色人種。

             目前有機會當選下一任波士頓士市長的主要6名候選人，無論誰當選，都將締造波士頓歷史。

             根據2019年的人口統計調查，波士頓市人口有684,379，其中52.8%白人，25.2%黑人，美國印地安及阿拉斯加土著0.3%，亞裔9.7%，夏威夷等太平洋島民0.1%，其他族裔ˊ6.7%，兩種以上族裔5.3%。

             這數據說明，波士頓市還未真正跨入少數族裔變成多數族裔時代，但整個大環境卻無可否認地變化很大。從Kim Janey今年四月上任代理波士頓市長，大量起用少數族裔起，到如今市長候選人絕大多數為有色人種，波士頓市政治權力由白人掌握的這歷史傳統，就幾乎註定了要翻頁。

             從新冠疫情爆發以來陸續出現「黑人的命也是命(Black Life Matters)」，「停止仇恨亞裔(Stop Asian Hate)」，在整個社會中掀起追求正義呼聲，也都推動著改變。

             6名主要的下屆波士頓市長候選人，其中4人為女性，全都是波士頓市市議員。Kim Janey因為前市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)被美國總統拜登(Joe Biden)指派為勞工部部長，到華府去了，她由市議會議長升任為代理市長，已經打破了波士頓市政治歷史。Andrea Campbell和Kim Janey同樣是黑人，吳弭(Michelle Wu)是亞裔，Annissa Essaibi George是阿拉伯人和波蘭人的混血後裔，被認為是有色人種。另外2名男性，參選前擔任波士頓市經濟發展長的John Barros是黑人，現任麻州眾議員Jon Santiago是拉丁裔人。

             根據波士頓市府選務局資訊，5月18日是各參選人繳交提名表的截止日期。凡參選市長的候選人，必須繳交3000個有效支持簽名。吳弭競選團隊在領取提名表的第一天就已宣佈取得3000個支持簽名，日前又再宣佈，陸續收得更多支持簽名，已繳交給市府的支持簽名超過5000。在競選市長路上，籌款金額每月結算時總要比吳弭多上幾千元的Andrea Campbell在母親節週末，也在推特上宣佈，已取得5000個支持簽名。不過波士頓市府目前只認證了吳弭，Kim Janey已確定將名列選票。

哈佛中國學子音樂會感恩母親 祝禱印度疫情緩解

音樂會結束前，表演者們雙掌合十，祝禱印度疫情緩解。

               (Boston Orange)哈佛大學中國學子5月8日晚在網上舉辦" 國際詩歌音樂節"，18  項表演節目，展現了10國感恩母親的不同樂音。

                       表演結束時，一眾表演者一起雙手合十，為印度人民和全世界人民祈願，期盼疫情早日消除，世界安泰和祥。

                   哈佛大學中國學子過去20多年來，每年一到母親節，就會舉辦音樂會，每逢端午，再辦詩歌會，今年礙於新冠疫情，兩會合一，5月8日這晚，藉由Zoom，在網上舉辦了一場”母親節暨端午節國際詩歌音樂會”。

                          這音樂詩歌會由哈佛大學的岳林博士和博士研究生樂琛主持，安排的節目包括中國古典詩詞歌曲，博茨瓦納、日本、毛利、俄羅斯等國民歌，還有墨西哥童謠，印度搖籃曲，哈薩克兒童舞蹈等。

當晚的所有節目，基本上都是為慶祝母親節特地安排的，包括京劇清唱“兒行千里母擔憂”，小提琴獨奏德沃夏克名曲“母親教我的歌”，詩朗誦孟郊“遊子吟”，以及俄語詩朗誦賽寧詩選"給母親的信"，諾貝爾文學獎得主聶魯達和帕斯捷爾納克的詩選。

其他的表演節目有大提琴獨奏巴赫選曲，大提琴、小提琴二重奏"河琴"選曲等。

詩朗誦屈原“離騷”選段摘句，則是呼應端午節。

根據音樂會海報，當晚表演者來自澳大利亞，博茨瓦納，加拿大，中國，印度，日本，哈薩克斯坦，墨西哥，新西蘭，俄羅斯，美國等11個國家，唱奏語言雖不相同，歌頌母愛之心卻四海皆一。(再次更新版)

麻州總檢察官辦公室:三家中國超市合共罰款約百萬元

             (Boston Orange編譯)麻州總檢察官辦公室5月11日宣佈，三家中國超市(C-Mart)違反多項勞工法，影響至少150名員工，罰款約一百萬元。

             中國超市在波士頓有2家分店，其中位於林肯街的那家已於2020年關門，另外在昆士市有一家。這3家超市因為不付加班費，以及週日上班須增額給付的薪資，不給有薪病假，拿不出員工們的每日，每週上班時間記錄表，雖然大部分員工是華人，卻未張貼中文版的最低薪資海報等等違反勞工法行為，從2006年起，已被傳訊15次。

             中國超市須賠償給員工的罰款總額，超過35萬元。

             中國超市有3名股東，方妙坤，Bao Song Qu，以及Quxiang Lin同時被告。

             麻州總檢察官辦公室表示，方妙坤在2008年時，曾經為類似犯行，和該辦公室和解過。最近他們再度調查中國超市，是因為昆士市Hayward街那家超市有員工舉報。

             麻州總檢察官辦公室籲請曾在中國超市工作，相信自己的勞工權益曾受侵犯者，和該辦公室調查員Lili Wu聯絡，電話   617-963-2337，或發電郵fldsettlement@mass.gov。

6月7日起，一週四天，民眾可進市府洽公

 (Boston Orange綜合編譯)波士頓市長Kim Janey於5月11日宣佈，波士頓市將從6月起，陸續開放面對面服務。民眾將可進市府洽公，使用波士頓公共圖書館，波士頓青年及家庭中心(BCYF)等設施。

       截至5月4日時，波士頓是居民已有44.3%完整注射了新冠疫苗，64.5%至少注射了一劑疫苗。全市確診率已下降到2.4%，而且沒有任何一個鄰里的確診率超過5%這門檻。上星期的波士頓市確診率下降了28%，平均每天只有80.1人確診。

         目前，波士頓市內醫院僅有75名新冠病毒病人，這是自從新冠病毒大流行以來人數最低的紀錄。

       波士頓公共衛生聽持續密切關注6項核心指標，並據以作為市府因應疫情採取措施的參考。

       由於疫情改善，波士頓市預定在未來數週內，陸續進一步開放。

       波士頓市政府將從6月7日，週一起，每週開放4天，在週二，週四，及週五之外，民眾將也可在週一，預約進市府當面洽辦公務。

       波士頓公共圖書館將在6月份內做有限度開放，以提供協助居民經濟及教育相關服務為優先，並將為成人及青少年安排豐富的夏季節目。

       波士頓青少年及家庭中心(BCYF)將增加符合麻州第四階段第一步驟開放計畫的服務項目，包括藝術及健身課，遊戲夜等活動。BCYF今夏也將在數個中心提供夏季日間項目，包括露營樂(Camp Joy)等。

 (Boston Orange綜合編譯)波士頓市長Kim Janey於5月11日宣佈，波士頓市將從6月起，陸續開放面對面服務。民眾將可進市府洽公，使用波士頓公共圖書館，波士頓青年及家庭中心(BCYF)等設施。

       截至5月4日時，波士頓是居民已有44.3%完整注射了新冠疫苗，64.5%至少注射了一劑疫苗。全市確診率已下降到2.4%，而且沒有任何一個鄰里的確診率超過5%這門檻。上星期的波士頓市確診率下降了28%，平均每天只有80.1人確診。

         目前，波士頓市內醫院僅有75名新冠病毒病人，這是自從新冠病毒大流行以來人數最低的紀錄。

       波士頓公共衛生聽持續密切關注6項核心指標，並據以作為市府因應疫情採取措施的參考。

       由於疫情改善，波士頓市預定在未來數週內，陸續進一步開放。

       波士頓市政府將從6月7日，週一起，每週開放4天，在週二，週四，及週五之外，民眾將也可在週一，預約進市府當面洽辦公務。

       波士頓公共圖書館將在6月份內做有限度開放，以提供協助居民經濟及教育相關服務為優先，並將為成人及青少年安排豐富的夏季節目。

       波士頓青少年及家庭中心(BCYF)將增加符合麻州第四階段第一步驟開放計畫的服務項目，包括藝術及健身課，遊戲夜等活動。BCYF今夏也將在數個中心提供夏季日間項目，包括露營樂(Camp Joy)等。

         (Boston Orange綜合編譯)波士頓市長Kim Janey於5月11日宣佈，波士頓市將從6月起，陸續開放面對面服務。民眾將可進市府洽公，使用波士頓公共圖書館，波士頓青年及家庭中心(BCYF)等設施。

       截至5月4日時，波士頓是居民已有44.3%完整注射了新冠疫苗，64.5%至少注射了一劑疫苗。全市確診率已下降到2.4%，而且沒有任何一個鄰里的確診率超過5%這門檻。上星期的波士頓市確診率下降了28%，平均每天只有80.1人確診。

         目前，波士頓市內醫院僅有75名新冠病毒病人，這是自從新冠病毒大流行以來人數最低的紀錄。

       波士頓公共衛生聽持續密切關注6項核心指標，並據以作為市府因應疫情採取措施的參考。

       由於疫情改善，波士頓市預定在未來數週內，陸續進一步開放。

       波士頓市政府將從6月7日，週一起，每週開放4天，在週二，週四，及週五之外，民眾將也可在週一，預約進市府當面洽辦公務。

       波士頓公共圖書館將在6月份內做有限度開放，以提供協助居民經濟及教育相關服務為優先，並將為成人及青少年安排豐富的夏季節目。

       波士頓青少年及家庭中心(BCYF)將增加符合麻州第四階段第一步驟開放計畫的服務項目，包括藝術及健身課，遊戲夜等活動。BCYF今夏也將在數個中心提供夏季日間項目，包括露營樂(Camp Joy)等。

         (Boston Orange綜合編譯)波士頓市長Kim Janey於5月11日宣佈，波士頓市將從6月起，陸續開放面對面服務。民眾將可進市府洽公，使用波士頓公共圖書館，波士頓青年及家庭中心(BCYF)等設施。

       截至5月4日時，波士頓是居民已有44.3%完整注射了新冠疫苗，64.5%至少注射了一劑疫苗。全市確診率已下降到2.4%，而且沒有任何一個鄰里的確診率超過5%這門檻。上星期的波士頓市確診率下降了28%，平均每天只有80.1人確診。

         目前，波士頓市內醫院僅有75名新冠病毒病人，這是自從新冠病毒大流行以來人數最低的紀錄。

       波士頓公共衛生聽持續密切關注6項核心指標，並據以作為市府因應疫情採取措施的參考。

       由於疫情改善，波士頓市預定在未來數週內，陸續進一步開放。

       波士頓市政府將從6月7日，週一起，每週開放4天，在週二，週四，及週五之外，民眾將也可在週一，預約進市府當面洽辦公務。

       波士頓公共圖書館將在6月份內做有限度開放，以提供協助居民經濟及教育相關服務為優先，並將為成人及青少年安排豐富的夏季節目。

       波士頓青少年及家庭中心(BCYF)將增加符合麻州第四階段第一步驟開放計畫的服務項目，包括藝術及健身課，遊戲夜等活動。BCYF今夏也將在數個中心提供夏季日間項目，包括露營樂(Camp Joy)等。

        (Boston Orange綜合編譯)波士頓市長Kim Janey於5月11日宣佈，波士頓市將從6月起，陸續開放面對面服務。民眾將可進市府洽公，使用波士頓公共圖書館，波士頓青年及家庭中心(BCYF)等設施。

        截至5月4日時，波士頓是居民已有44.3%完整注射了新冠疫苗，64.5%至少注射了一劑疫苗。全市確診率已下降到2.4%，而且沒有任何一個鄰里的確診率超過5%這門檻。上星期的波士頓市確診率下降了28%，平均每天只有80.1人確診。

          目前，波士頓市內醫院僅有75名新冠病毒病人，這是自從新冠病毒大流行以來人數最低的紀錄。

        波士頓公共衛生聽持續密切關注6項核心指標，並據以作為市府因應疫情採取措施的參考。

        由於疫情改善，波士頓市預定在未來數週內，陸續進一步開放。

                  波士頓市政府將從6月7日，週一起，每週開放4天，在週二，週四，及週五之外，民眾將也可在週一，預約進市府當面洽辦公務。

           波士頓公共圖書館將在6月份內做有限度開放，以提供協助居民經濟及教育相關服務為優先，並將為成人及青少年安排豐富的夏季節目。

            波士頓青少年及家庭中心(BCYF)將增加符合麻州第四階段第一步驟開放計畫的服務項目，包括藝術及健身課，遊戲夜等活動。BCYF今夏也將在數個中心提供夏季日間項目，包括露營樂(Camp Joy)等。

         查詢詳細資訊可上市府網站boston.gov/reopening。

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF IN-PERSON CRITICAL CITY SERVICES 

Increased in-person service hours at City Hall, reopening of some BCYF day programs, and staggered reopening of BPL all eyed for June

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the upcoming expansion of in-person city services at Boston City Hall, the Boston Public Library system (BPL), and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF). These services will expand access to in-person city services and programming and opportunities for Boston families ahead of summer, as public health metrics continue to improve.

“As the City prepares for summer and our continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we bring more city services back in person, especially as our public health metrics improve,” said Mayor Janey. “I want to thank all of our city departments that pivoted at the beginning of the pandemic to continue to deliver critical services to residents safely. I’m excited to welcome back more residents to City Hall and for the joy that reopening our libraries and city-sponsored summer programming will bring.”

As of May 4, 2021, 44.3 percent of Bostonians are fully vaccinated, and 64.5 percent have received at least one dose. The citywide community positivity rate continues to decrease, dropping to 2.4 percent, with no neighborhoods above the 5.0 percent threshold. New positive tests in the City of Boston decreased by 28 percent over the past week, averaging 80.1 new positive tests per day. The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in Boston remained stable at 2,960 tests, a decrease of 1% in the past week. COVID-related emergency room visits decreased by 6 percent over a two week period, and the percentage of occupied non-surgical ICU beds is 91 percent, under the threshold of 95 percent. We currently have 75 COVID-19 patients in Boston hospitals. That is one of the lowest numbers recorded since the start of the pandemic. 

The Boston Public Health Commission closely tracks six core metrics to monitor the progress of the City’s response, to guide decision making and to shape our response moving forward. The metrics being monitored include trends related to the number of positive tests, overall positivity and how COVID-19 is impacting our healthcare system. 

Due to continuing improvement in the City’s COVID-19 metrics, the following service changes will take effect in the coming weeks:

Boston City Hall

Starting Monday, June 7, 2021, Boston City Hall will be open to the public by appointment only for a fourth day each week. In addition to Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, residents will be able to make in-person appointments on Monday as well. For the latest status of City departments, visit here.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library will reopen for limited in-person services in June. With these expanded services, BPL will prioritize bringing back critical services that help residents with economic and educational recovery, and will be scheduling robust summer programming for both adults and youth. All reopening plans will follow the latest public health guidance, and BPL will provide further information in the coming weeks. 

Boston Center for Youth & Families (BCYF)

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) will increase its youth programming to align with Phase Four, Step One of the Reopening Massachusetts plan. This will allow for the expansion of programming for children and youth, including arts and crafts, fitness classes, and game nights. Additionally, BCYF will offer summer day programs at several centers this summer, including Camp Joy, which provides programming for children and young adults with special needs. BCYF will provide further updates about their summer programming in the coming weeks, all in accordance with public health guidance. For more information, visit boston.gov/BCYF.

“Boston’s long fight against COVID-19 is starting to bring the end of this pandemic into view,” said Mayor Janey. “I’ve asked my chiefs of Health and Human Services and Economic Development to take a look at accelerating Boston’s reopening timeline, in light of improving public health metrics across all of Boston’s communities.”

The City of Boston will continue to monitor public health metrics and adjust services and openings based on the latest COVID-19 data and trends. For more information on reopening, visit boston.gov/reopening

北美華文作家協會慶30週年 趙小蘭偕父出席祝賀 (圖片)

 

 

麻州政府讚許聯邦批准葡萄園島風電項目

 Baker-Polito Administration Applauds Federal Approval of Vineyard Wind Project

Massachusetts to Launch U.S. Offshore Wind Industry with First Commercial-Scale Project in Nation

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today applauded the Record of Decision issued by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) granting approval to the Vineyard Wind project and concluding environmental review of the project through the National Environmental Policy Act. The key federal permitting approval allows Vineyard Wind to advance its Construction and Operations Plan to bring 800 Megawatts of cost-effective, renewable offshore wind power to Massachusetts ratepayers, enough energy to power 400,000 homes. Following the announcement, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides will join Vineyard Wind CEO Lars Pedersen at the Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown to celebrate the decision. 

 

“Massachusetts should be proud that this decision launches the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project on the Commonwealth’s shores,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This groundbreaking project will produce affordable, renewable energy, create jobs and prove Massachusetts developed a successful model for developing offshore wind energy. We appreciate the federal government’s partnership to grant this approval and look forward to working with Vineyard Wind to create thousands of jobs and set the Commonwealth on a path to achieve Net Zero emissions.”

“Offshore wind represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities across Massachusetts, especially in the South Coast region, to pioneer this new clean energy industry in the U.S.,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Building this new industry will bring new jobs and economic development to cities and towns in the Commonwealth, while providing a significant clean energy resource that will save ratepayers money while helping to meet our ambitious climate goals.” 

 

Through a competitive procurement process established in comprehensive energy legislation signed by Governor Baker in 2016, the Vineyard Wind project was selected in May 2018 to provide 800 MW of cost-effective renewable offshore wind power to Massachusetts. Following the selection of the Vineyard Wind project, a second competitive procurement process resulted in the selection of the Mayflower Wind project in October 2019. Together the two projects represent major steps in meeting the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates and growing the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy.

 

“Offshore wind is critical to meeting Massachusetts’ nation-leading commitment to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050, and today’s decision by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is a monumental step in our shared effort to take on the generational challenge of climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “With this key federal approval, the Vineyard Wind project is positioned to break ground as the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the U.S., and the Baker-Polito Administration will continue to build on its national climate leadership by ensuring that all residents benefit from the affordable clean energy and economic opportunities offered by this new American industry.”

 

“Today’s Record of Decision is not about the start of a single project, but the launch of a new industry,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen. “Receiving this final federal approval means the jobs, economic benefits and clean energy revolution that have been long talked about can finally come to fruition. It’s been a long road to get to this point, but ultimately, we are reaching the end of this process with the strongest possible project. I want to thank BOEM, the Department of Interior and the Biden Administration for their efforts in finalizing the review of this project. I also want to thank Governor Baker, the Massachusetts federal delegation and State Legislature for their steadfast commitment to seeing this endeavor through to today. And of course, I want to extend my sincerest appreciation to all our supporters and stakeholders for all of their work, input and dedication. We could not have reached this milestone without you.” 

 

The 800 MW Vineyard Wind project will utilize 62 GE Haliade-X turbines, currently the world’s most powerful turbine with a capacity of 13 MW per machine utilizing wind blades spanning 107 meters. In November 2019, GE shipped a 107 meter Haliade-X blade to the Wind Technology Testing Center – the only facility of its kind in North America – for stress and durability testing that validated the technology can withstand more than 25 years of operation at sea, a key part of the technology development process.

 

“Cost-effective offshore wind energy plays a pivotal role in advancing the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote economic development, and ultimately meet our ambitious long-term climate goals,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “Today’s decision from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management marks a historic day for the country and Massachusetts and is the testament of the hard work of state and federal agencies over nearly a decade. Our leadership in offshore wind has established a new industry in the United States that has the opportunity to reduce emissions, boost our economy, and lower energy costs for our residents and businesses.”

 

“On behalf of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, I would like to congratulate Lars Pedersen and the entire Vineyard Wind team for today’s major milestone,” said Steve Pike, CEO of MassCEC. “We look forward to hosting Vineyard Wind at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal and continuing our mutual efforts to advance workforce and supply chain development as well as science, research and innovation for the Nation’s first commercial offshore wind farm.”

 

The Record of Decision concludes NEPA review by BOEM, outlining along with its final decision an approval of the project’s mitigation package. In response to extensive stakeholder engagement, including with the Massachusetts Fisheries Working Group, the Massachusetts Habitat Working Group, and other state and local entities, Vineyard Wind has agreed to provide millions of dollars to compensate Massachusetts and Rhode Island fishermen for potential loss of revenue and lost gear, and to enhance their ability to fish in and around the lease area. Vineyard Wind has also committed to continue funding pre- and-post construction survey studies with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) to measure any impacts to the marine environment.

 

To ensure that the project is developed in an environmentally responsible manner that protects and preserves marine wildlife, including the critically endangered North American Right Whale, Vineyard Wind will invest millions of dollars to develop and deploy innovative technologies and undertake scientific research to further safeguard marine mammals; institute comprehensive monitoring protocols to ensure that construction doesn’t take place when right whales are near the lease area; utilize acoustic monitoring technology throughout construction including in transit corridors, and employ trained protective species observers to spot right whales visually during transit and foundation installation.

 

In August 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the signing of lease agreements with Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind to utilize the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal as the primary staging and deployment base for the construction and installation of their offshore wind projects located in federal waters south of Martha’s Vineyard. The lease agreements commit the facility to full-time offshore wind work from 2023 into 2027 and are worth more than $32.5 million.

 

Constructed and operated by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal is a 29-acre heavy-lift facility and the first port in North America specifically purpose-built to support the staging and installation of offshore wind components.

 

On March 26, 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that increased the Administration’s authorization to solicit an additional 2,400 Megawatts of offshore wind, bringing the state’s total commitment to 5,600 Megawatts. On December 30, 2020, the Administration released two reports – the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) – that detail policies and strategies to equitably and cost-effectively reduce emissions and combat climate change. The 2050 Roadmap found that the most cost-effective, low-risk pathways to Net Zero share core elements, including a balanced clean energy portfolio anchored by a significant offshore wind resource, more interstate transmission, and widespread electrification of transportation and building heat.

 

On May 7, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration, in the third round of its offshore wind solicitation process, issued a Request for Proposals seeking up to 1,600 Megawatts of affordable, resilient clean energy. Bids are due on September 17, 2021, and a selection of project(s) will be announced by December 17, 2021.

美總統拜登和兩黨八州長網晤 查理貝克要全州7月4日時都打了疫苗

 Governor Charlie Baker will virtually meet with President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of Governors about the successes and best practices of state COVID-19 vaccination programs.

波士頓慈濟慶佛誕 為眾生祈福

 

 波士頓慈濟團隊和嘉賓留影，右起游勝雄，吳建發，陳裕逢，波士頓僑教中心主任
潘昭榮，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，波士頓慈濟聯絡人長金滿，慈濟人文學校校長
彭淑敏，簡小芳，主持人謝宜芳(左一)。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange)佛教慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處和紐約聯絡處合作，5月9日近午在該會牛頓市會址慶祝佛誕，舉行浴佛儀式，在感念佛恩，親恩，眾生恩之際，為眾生祈福。

               慈濟基金會在每年五月第二個星期天慶祝母親節，佛誕日和慈濟日，舉行三節合一的浴佛節。波士頓慈濟聯絡處今年由於新冠疫情稍緩，得以容許共約70人分批到牛頓市會所，現場參加浴佛節。

波士頓慈濟人和嘉賓一同禮佛。(周菊子攝)

穿著藏青色制服的慈濟委員、志工們，當天請出晶瑩剔透的多尊佛像，以鮮花，祝福卡襯飾，和陸續到場的嘉賓，會眾，在謝宜芳主持中，虔誠禮拜，祝禱，並由波士頓慈濟慈誠委員16人獻供，奉燈燭，香湯，香花，之後大眾繞佛，完成浴佛儀式。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，這天應邀出席。他們倆人去年7月上任，但礙於新冠疫情，孫儉元處長這天還是第一次踏進波士頓慈濟會所。

波士頓慈濟佛誕日活動，民眾出席禮佛。(周菊子攝)

浴佛結束後，波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿和慈濟志工向孫儉元處長和潘昭榮主任介紹波士頓慈濟人為關懷麻州弱勢團體或個人，過去一年來不畏疫情，親自出席許多社區服務活動概況，捐贈口罩不包括4月中，波士頓慈濟首次參加牛頓市的食物銀行及冰箱(Newton Food Bank)的社區服務項目，在每個月的第2，第4個星期六中安排3個時段，運送、分發食品；1月時為羅德島美國退伍軍人會募集兒童冬衣，平日也參與社區組織的地方服務，為患有重病及慢性病者與其家人提供熱食，營養餐。慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏也介紹該校在疫情期間的校務推動情況及未來展望。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元(左一)，僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右一)應邀出席
波士頓慈濟聯絡處佛誕活動，與波士頓慈濟富負責人齊君明(右二起)，負責人長金滿，
慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏留影。(周菊子攝)

由於印度目前疫情嚴峻，許多會眾當天出席浴佛活動後，還慷慨解囊，捐款支持慈濟賑濟印度新冠病毒災情。

慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處籲請有急需協助者和該處連絡，電話617-762-0569，電子郵件：TzuChiBoston@gmail.com。(更新版)