BLO 蝴蝶夫人舊劇新作 觀眾起立鼓掌 24日下午亞裔場

演員謝幕。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓抒情歌劇院 (Boston Lyric Opera) 製作，由陳肇中 (Phil Chan) 導演，何佳陵（Karen Chia-ling Ho）領銜，在古色古香的愛默生Colonial劇院演出的改編版「蝴蝶夫人 (Madama Butterfly) 歌劇，22晚贏得全場觀眾的起立，熱烈鼓掌。

何佳陵(中)和演員們一起謝幕。 (周菊子攝)

              這齣歌劇的故事源頭，有將近150年的歷史，波士頓抒情歌劇院刻意邀集許多亞裔表演，製作人員，耗時一年多精心打磨後推出，從9月14日迄今，幾場演出，全都非常成功，有1700個座位，從1900年營運迄今的這戲院，22日晚幾乎座無虛席。

有逾百年歷史的愛默生Colonial劇院古色古香。 (周菊子攝)

              「蝴蝶夫人 (Madama Butterfly)」這故事，原本是John Luther Long 以他自己於1898年撰寫的短篇小說「蝴蝶夫人」為藍本，再揉合他從姊姊 Jennie Correll那兒聽來，1887年由Pierre Loti所撰寫的法國半自傳小說「橘子夫人 (Madame Chrysanthème)」而成就的新篇章，後來再經由David Belasco做戲劇化處理，成為「蝴蝶屋人:一個日本悲劇」的一幕劇，1900年在紐約首演時，然後搬演到倫敦。

普契尼 (Giacomo Puccini)是在倫敦看到「蝴蝶夫人」這齣戲的。當該劇於1904年2月在米蘭首演，但彩排得不充分，票房慘澹後，經由普契尼改編，1904年5月28日在義大利Brescia演出，卻大獲成功，並開啟了「蝴蝶夫人」熱潮，後人至少推出5種版本，包括「西貢小姐」也是其中一個變異版。

愛默生Colonial劇院一景。 (周菊子攝)

              波士頓歌劇院 (BLO) 製作的這最新版本「蝴蝶夫人」，故事大綱基本不變，但時空卻拉近到1940年代的舊金山唐人街，把第2次世界大戰，日本偷襲珍珠港，美國在亞利桑納 (Arizona) 設立日本集中營的時代背景融入劇中，彰顯在美國出生的日裔美國人「蝴蝶夫人」，遭遇2重背叛，一是身為美國人，卻不被美國人當作美國人，一是純情等待Pinkerton回歸，卻等來郎君另娶的消息。在原版故事中，蝴蝶夫人刎頸自縊而亡，這新版本卻是蝴蝶夫人堅強的活了下來，並藉由整齣戲以舞台上有一名老太太比試衣服，做蛋糕，來展現今人憶往，帶出這齣戲與台下觀眾屬於同一時代的味道。

愛默生Colonial劇院一景。 (周菊子攝)

              這齣戲特地把創辦了「告別扮黃臉 (Final Bow for Yellowface)」非營利組織，改變了亞裔在世界芭蕾舞台機會的芭蕾舞者陳肇中，找來擔任舞台導演，也把亞裔近年又面歧視氛圍高漲這議題和歷史情境連結了起來。

愛默生Colonial劇院一景。 (周菊子攝)

              這齣歌劇的領銜主演者何佳陵（Karen Chia-ling Ho），畢業於國立台北藝術大學 (TNUA)，東海大學的聲樂表演系，獲有伊士曼 (Eastman)音樂學院音樂碩士學位，以及辛辛那提音樂學院的藝術家文憑，今年她以Cio Cio San，首次登上費城歌劇舞台後，回到紐約大都會劇院演出Mimi，Le boheme，再到舊金山演出Cio Cio San。她曾獲得Mildred Miller國際聲樂賽首獎，也曾和上海交響樂團合作演出，和美國作曲家交響樂團合作演唱過中國作交響樂團原創中心作曲家李劭晟的曲目。

                           其他的許多亞裔演員，工作人員包括飾演Suzuki的Alice Chung，歷史劇作家兼影人Arthur Dong，得過獎的燈光設計師Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew等等。

              24日下午3點，將是這次演出在愛默生Colonial劇院 (106 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116)的最後一場。由於全劇亞裔演員之多，在波士頓例來罕見，劇團特地向亞裔社團推出折扣票價，訂票時輸入AAPI50，就可解鎖50元的折扣票價。這齣歌劇的一般票價為40元到200多元。訂票可上網https://blo.org/butterfly/。

拜登總統在亞美服務機構週中頒發歷來第一份表揚公告

(Boston Orange 摘譯) 今天，拜登總統就全國亞裔美國人和美洲原住民太平洋島民服務機構(AANAPISI) 週，發布了有史以來第一個公告，以表彰AANAPISI 計劃在賦能許多世代未得到充分服務的學生上，發揮重要作用。 A Proclamation on National Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week, 2023

Today, President Joe Biden issued the first-ever proclamation on National Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week to honor the AANAPISI program’s essential role in empowering generations of underserved students.

THE WHITE HOUSE September 22, 2023   During National Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) Week, we celebrate all the possibilities that these institutions unlock for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) students, particularly those from low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented backgrounds. Every generation of Americans has benefited by opening the doors of opportunity to include those who have been left behind. By putting higher education within reach of AA and NHPI students, our Nation’s nearly 200 AANAPISIs embody my belief that diversity is our strength as a Nation. For so many, higher education is a ticket to a better life. But while talent, creativity, and determination are found in people all across this country, not everyone has an equal shot at higher education. AA and NHPI communities encompass more than 50 ethnicities with a variety of identities, cultures, histories, and backgrounds — many come from lower-income backgrounds, or are the first in their family to graduate college, indigenous, or recent immigrants, or have faced a legacy of discrimination in our Nation. That is why the work of our AANAPISIs is so critical for broadening the opportunity of higher education to more Americans and realizing the full potential of AA and NHPI communities.   AANAPISIs enroll nearly half of all AA and NHPI undergraduates, and they confer almost 50 percent of associate degrees and nearly 30 percent of baccalaureate degrees of all AA and NHPI students. These vital institutions empower students to earn degrees and reach their full potential while providing culturally responsive services and culturally sustaining programs that include tutoring, advising, career development and counseling, and more. With the Supreme Court’s recent decision to effectively end affirmative action in college admissions, the work to make higher education accessible to all is as essential as ever. We need to keep open the doors of opportunities and ensure that the promise of America is big enough for everyone to succeed. My Administration is committed to strengthening these critical institutions and supporting our Nation’s AA and NHPI communities. Through the American Rescue Plan, we have invested $5 billion in AANAPISIs. Further, I re-established the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and I released a National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities — addressing everything from combating anti-Asian hate to making Government services more accessible. We are also fighting to make higher education more affordable for students across the country. My Administration has increased Pell Grants for low-income families by the largest amount in over a decade and fixed the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program so borrowers who become teachers, police officers, social workers, service members, and other public servants get the debt relief they are entitled to under the law. When the Supreme Court wrongly struck down our most ambitious student debt relief plan ever, we moved immediately to open an alternative path to debt relief that could further reduce costs for many AA and NHPI borrowers. My Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan will cut payments on undergraduate loans in half, bring many low-income borrowers’ loan payments to $0 per month, and provide early forgiveness for borrowers with low balances.    This generation of students is the most gifted, talented, and tolerant in American history — and it is up to all of us to give them the resources and opportunity they need to reach their full potential. During Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week, may we recommit to supporting these institutions as they raise the next generation of AA and NHPI dreamers and doers. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 25 through October 1, 2023, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week. I call on public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the many ways these institutions and their graduates contribute to our country. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.   JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

拉脫維亞總統Edgars Rinkēvičs到訪 麻州府第二度鋪出紅地毯

拉脫維亞總統Edgars Rinkēvičs到訪。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 上任不到一年，麻州政府大樓前門鋪出2次紅地毯，繼今年4月的南韓總統尹錫悅之後，今 (22) 日又再接待一名總統，來自拉脫維亞的Edgars Rinkēvičs。

                     麻州州政府大樓的前門，一般只在3種情況下會打開大門，一是州長卸任和同僚揮別時，一是當麻州州旗被永久收藏時，還有就是當美國總統或是外國總統到訪時。

                     拉脫維亞總統Edgars Rinkēvičs最近到紐約參加聯合國會議，今早應邀到麻州華森市(Waltham)出席由美國拉脫維亞商會舉辦的「聚焦拉脫維亞2023」。這一活動主要目的是幫助美國人了解到拉脫維亞做生意的好處。

                  Edgars Rinkēvičs是歐盟國家的第一個公開的同性戀總統，和身為美國第一個公開同性戀州長的奚莉 (Maura Healey) 或心有戚戚焉。

                    拉脫維亞是北歐波羅地海地區，在蘇俄東邊的一個國家，在俄烏戰爭中，他一直很支持烏克蘭。

                 在全世界各國中，目前約有7個國家領袖是公開的同性戀者。1973年9月21日出生，昨天才過50歲生日，今年7月8日才上任總統一職的Edgars Rinkēvičs是其中最新的一個。

                 Edgars Rinkēvičs從2011年起出任拉脫維亞的外交部部長，2014年11月出櫃，公開他的同性戀身分。

              其他幾名公開同性戀身份的國家首長有冰島總理Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (2009-2013)，比利時總理Elio Di Rupo (2011-2014)，盧森堡總理Xavier Bettel   (2013迄今)，賽爾比亞總理 Ana Brnabić (2017迄今)，愛爾蘭總理 Leo Varadkar (2017-2020，2022迄今)，聖馬力諾執政長 Paolo Rondelli (2022年4月至10月)

Governor Healey Orders Statewide Maternal Health Review to Ensure Equitable Care in All Communities

 Governor Healey Orders Statewide Maternal Health Review to Ensure Equitable Care in All Communities 

Orders an immediate review of health services access in Northern Worcester County in wake of Leominster maternity closure  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today ordered two reviews to ensure that Massachusetts residents, particularly in rural and underserved communities, have access to high-quality health care, including inpatient services, prenatal, and postpartum care. The order comes after UMass Memorial Health Care confirmed to the Department of Public Health (DPH) that it could not delay the closure of the obstetrics inpatient service at its Leominster campus due to unsafe staffing shortages, despite state efforts to delay the closure.   

The unit is scheduled to close on September 23. DPH has been working closely with UMass Memorial as they develop a plan to ensure access to prenatal care in the Leominster region. The plan includes transportation services for OB patients to make sure they have access to high-quality birthing and inpatient care with other hospitals in the area. DPH will monitor the plan’s implementation as well as UMass Memorial’s commitment to continue providing high quality prenatal and postpartum care in the Leominster area.  

In accordance with the Governor’s directive, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services will lead a comprehensive review, with a focus on health equity and health outcomes, that includes consideration of access to specialized services like doula care and supports for nutrition, mental health and substance use issues. An additional review will focus on regional access to essential services in the Northern Worcester County area, in the wake of the Leominster campus closure.  

“Our administration is deeply concerned about the Leominster closure and health care access generally across northern Worcester County. We are committed to ensuring that all Massachusetts residents have access to high-quality health care, including safe and equitable maternal care. We have the greatest health care system in the country, but there is work we must do to ensure that all of our residents, especially in rural communities and communities of color, have access to comprehensive maternal health care,” said Governor Healey. “That’s why I’m ordering a review of maternal health services across the state, and a review of essential health services in the Northern Worcester County area following the closure of the UMass Memorial Leominster maternity unit.”  

 “We recognize the important role that each health care provider plays in our communities, and the access challenges that can come with the closure of a clinical service, especially in our rural areas,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “These reviews will complement the work of our Director of Rural Affairs in making sure that we have true regional health equity and a strong health care network available in every community across Massachusetts.” 

Governor Healey has instructed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kate Walsh, Undersecretary for Health Dr. Kiame Mahaniah and Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Robbie Goldstein to complete two projects to be completed by November 15: 

1. Conduct a review of prenatal, postpartum and birthing services across the state, through a lens of health equity and health outcomes, with a focus on availability of quality services in rural and other underserved communities and produce a set of recommendations for ensuring that high quality services are reasonably available to all Massachusetts communities.    

2. Conduct a review of access to all essential health services in the Northern Worcester County area and develop a plan to support or improve access where needed. This will include a review of hospital services, community-based care, and social supports. It will also include consultation and collaboration with providers and community leaders in the area to ensure that access to critical services is protected following the closure of the Leominster inpatient maternity unit. 

“We know that there is much work to be done to address racial and regional inequities in maternity care and health care across the state. We are committed to reviewing all of the factors impacting health equity, including maternal care, to improve health outcomes,” said HHS Secretary Walsh. “This review process will help guide policy decisions as we work to improve the health equity and outcomes for all people across the state.” 

### 

Governor Healey Announces U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Available for August 8 Flood Recovery

Governor Healey Announces U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Available for August 8 Flood Recovery 

The low-interest loans are available to residents, businesses, and nonprofits in Essex County and parts of Middlesex and Suffolk Counties 

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that, following a request by the Governor, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer low-interest federal disaster loans. Massachusetts homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations suffering substantial damage or economic injury not covered by insurance as a result of severe storms and flooding on August 8 can apply for a home, business physical, or economic injury disaster loan. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Essex County, as well as contiguous Middlesex, and Suffolk Counties.  

 

“Our administration continues to pursue every available form of support for communities affected by this summer’s significant flooding, including these low-interest loan opportunities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We're grateful for the responsiveness of our partners at every level of government, especially public safety officials at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. We want Massachusetts communities to know that we understand the devastating impacts of these floods and we will keep working to deliver them relief.”  

 

“Thank you to the SBA for offering low interest, emergency loans to communities impacted by the severe weather and floods that occurred on August 8,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration remains deeply committed to working alongside our federal, state and local partners to support communities with access to much-needed resources as rebuilding and recovery continues.” 

 

The low interest disaster loans available through the SBA declaration include: 

 

· Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are also eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. 

· Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. 

· Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. 

 

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.  

 

To assist prospective applicants and facilitate needed support, the SBA will open Disaster Loan Outreach Centers beginning Monday, September 25, in North Andover, and the following week in Lawrence. Customer service representatives will be on hand to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their electronic loan application. Applications will subsequently be reviewed by SBA to determine if the applicant is qualified for the loan. The deadlines to apply for physical loans and economic injury loans are November 20, 2023, and June 20, 2024, respectively. 

 

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers location and operating hours are available on the flood recovery website developed by the Healey Administration in response to several severe flooding events this year across Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts Wins Proposal to Host Northeast Microelectronics Hub through Federal CHIPS and Science Act

Massachusetts Wins Proposal to Host Northeast Microelectronics Hub through Federal CHIPS and Science Act 

MassTech Collaborative-Led Proposal Selected by U.S. Department of Defense Through Highly Competitive Process Aimed at Advancing Manufacturing of Microelectronics and Semiconductors 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts has been awarded $19.7 million in funding for fiscal year 2023 through the federal CHIPS and Science Act to establish the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC), a regional hub that will advance the microelectronics needs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) while spurring new jobs, workforce training opportunities, and investment in the region’s advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. 

  

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is supporting the hub with up to $40 million in matching funds from the Immediate Needs Bond Bill filed in January. The Administration, through the quasi-public economic development agency Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, assembled and led a coalition of more than 90 organizations from across the Northeast in submitting a proposal in February to the federal government to create the NEMC through the DoD’s Microelectronics Commons program.  

 

“We’re thrilled that Massachusetts has been selected as a regional hub to support the microelectronics needs of the Department of Defense,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This is a once in a generation opportunity for Massachusetts to be at the forefront of innovation and this cutting-edge sector. The Northeast Microelectronics hub will result in new jobs and workforce development opportunities, groundbreaking research development, and resources for business – all right here in Massachusetts.”  

 

“This award through the CHIPS and Science Act will boost industries that are keeping Massachusetts at the forefront of innovation and help us expand economic opportunity for our residents through job training and workforce development investments,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re honored to lead this regional coalition comprised of experts in industry, research, and academia who will provide unmatched technical expertise and partnership through the Northeast Microelectronics Hub.”  

 

The program is funded by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act that aims to onshore the manufacturing of microelectronics and semiconductor technologies and support workforce training for these industries. The DoD’s announcement of $238 million in funding for Microelectronics Commons is the largest award to date under President Biden's CHIPS and Science Act and will fund eight regional hubs across the country.  

“Massachusetts has always been a leader in advanced manufacturing, technology, and innovation. This award is a testament to that leadership position and to the strength of Team Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is grateful to the coalition members from across the public and private sectors who put together this successful proposal and the federal delegation for their support of the CHIPS and Science Act. We look forward to working together to invest in our state and our country’s economic and national security.” 

 

“We are incredibly grateful for the trust and collaboration of our coalition members and the Department of Defense to establish and launch the NEMC Hub for Massachusetts, for the northeast, and for the nation,” said MassTech Collaborative Executive Director Carolyn Kirk. “Our selection a demonstrates the power of partnerships and illustrates the immense talent that has come together to earn this designation.” 
 
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has focused on initiatives where we can harness the unique opportunity to tap into federal support, including the CHIPS and Science Act,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We’re proud that Massachusetts can be a part of advancing our nations national security and competitiveness in this critical global industry, while creating new jobs, furthering workforce development and creating opportunities for cutting-edge innovation here in the Commonwealth.” 

With $2 billion in funding for Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027, the Microelectronics Commons program aims to leverage these Hubs to accelerate domestic hardware prototyping and "lab-to-fab" transition of semiconductor technologies. This will help mitigate supply chain risks and ultimately expedite access to the most cutting-edge microchips for defense needs.  

Regional microelectronics hubs are expected to spur economic growth across their respective regions and the economy at large. Hubs are charged with developing the physical, digital, and human infrastructure needed to support future success in microelectronics research and development. This includes building education pipelines and retraining initiatives to ensure the United States has the talent pool needed to sustain these investments. The initiative focuses on six key technology areas critical to the DoD’s mission, areas where the Northeast and Massachusetts have a strong research focus: 

· Secure Edge/Internet of Things Computing 

· 5G/6G 

· Artificial Intelligence Hardware 

· Quantum Technology 

· Electromagnetic Warfare 

· Commercial Leap Ahead Technologies 

The DoD received 80 submissions to the Microelectronics Program, with over 600 unique organizations included as prospective team members. For more information, visit https://microelectronicscommons.org/. 

The NEMC proposal is a part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s whole-of-government strategy to compete for federal money that has included applications for more than $2 billion dollars in federal funding to advance priorities for equity, competitiveness, workforce development and climate resiliency in Massachusetts. The approach has brought in tens of millions of dollars to the Commonwealth in recent weeks, with additional funding still pending the decision of federal agencies.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES A NEW PILOT PROGRAM TO DECARBONIZE BOSTON’S HOUSING STOCK

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES A NEW PILOT PROGRAM TO DECARBONIZE BOSTON’S HOUSING STOCK New Pilot Program targets building sizes of up to 4 units, offering grants to support electrification

BOSTON - Thursday, September 21, 2023 - Today Mayor Wu announced the launch of the City’s  Healthy & Green Retrofit Pilot Program. This new initiative – led by the Mayor’s Office of Housing with support from Oliver Sellers Garcia, the Mayor’s Green New Deal Director – will support owners of two to four-unit owner-occupied buildings with funding to jumpstart the decarbonization and electrification of Boston’s smaller building stock, while preserving affordability and preventing tenant displacement. The program will support building owners with energy assessments, construction management, and forgivable loan financing to accelerate Boston’s Green New Deal. Videos explaining the retrofit program are available on Mayor Wu’s Instagram in English and Spanish. "With almost 80 percent of Boston's buildings requiring deep energy retrofits and decarbonization, our new Healthy & Green Retrofit Pilot Program signifies a pivotal movement toward achieving our city's carbon neutrality aspirations,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “By targeting the most common building type and preserving affordability, we are paving the way for a greener, healthier future for all Bostonians." The new pilot program will offer grants in the form of forgivable loans of up to $50,000 per unit and provide comprehensive energy assessment and construction management services. The pilot is designed to serve as a model for other communities, with the anticipation that lessons learned will be readily applicable to diverse building types and sizes beyond Boston. "With this launch, Boston is taking a groundbreaking step towards a healthier and greener future for our communities,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “The Healthy & Green Retrofit Pilot Program underscores our dedication to sustainable building practices and decarbonization. By focusing on two to four-unit owner-occupied buildings, we are making strides towards reducing the carbon footprint of the City. Together, we are building a more sustainable and equitable city for generations to come." The Healthy & Green Retrofit Pilot Program's initial scope will include building owners partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Housing’s Boston Home Center (BHC) to provide construction management services. The retrofit work will be performed by pre-qualified private general contractors. The BHC is expanding the pool of eligible general contractors who will be eligible to bid and oversee retrofit work on individual homes. The BHC will manage the program to ensure high-quality, sustainable retrofit installations.  “With our Green New Deal, Boston is making investments that directly deliver climate and quality of life solutions in an equitable manner,” said Oliver Sellers Garcia, Director of Boston’s Green New Deal. “The creation of this new program is pivotal in creating a new model for equity-first multi-family housing electrification.  BHC is scaling up to become a decarbonization department, and this pilot project will provide important lessons and proof of concept for growth in the coming years.”    Owners of the selected buildings will collaborate with BHC and partners who specialize in decarbonization to outline the optimal green retrofit plan for each individual project. The integration of heat pumps to either supplement or replace existing heating and cooling systems will be an important component of the program. These new heat pumps are anticipated to render homes cleaner, healthier, and more resilient, representing a significant step forward in Boston's commitment to a Green New Deal by lowering emissions across sectors. “National Grid looks forward to working with the Healthy and Green Retrofit Program, an innovative City of Boston pilot that advances our shared climate change, clean energy and equity goals,” said Chris Porter, Director, Customer Energy Management, National Grid. “Lessons learned from this groundbreaking program can be a model in helping all customers reduce their carbon footprint, more easily obtain clean energy solutions and ensure that health and wellbeing benefits from decarbonization are available to one and all.” The announcement of the Healthy & Green Retrofit Pilot Program follows the announcement in March of this year of the Large Building Green Energy Retrofits Program, as well as the City’s ordinance to adopt the Department of Energy Resources’ Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Energy Code. The Large Building Green Energy Retrofits Program targets large, aging, affordable housing developments in the City and is supported by $10 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for energy performance improvements. This program is supported with $5 million in ARPA funds and  will significantly improve the health, safety, and comfort for the owners and occupants of small multifamily buildings, while also creating jobs and reinvesting in housing and neighborhoods. The program will lay the groundwork for future, scaled-up efforts to upgrade the city’s housing stock and achieve decarbonization goals.