新英格蘭各州尋求聯邦大幅投資近地方上的轉運及能源儲存基礎設施

New England States Seek Federal Funding for Significant Investments in Transmission and Energy Storage Infrastructure

Two applications demonstrate continued regional and interregional collaboration on electricity infrastructure to bolster grid reliability and resilience  

BOSTON – A coalition of New England states jointly submitted two applications to secure federal funding to support investments in large-scale transmission and energy storage infrastructure to enhance grid reliability and resilience across the region. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, the New Hampshire Department of Energy, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, and the Vermont Department of Public Service submitted applications for the Power Up New England project, and, in collaboration with the State of New York, the Clean Resilience Link project for the second round of funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Innovation Program (GIP). The projects feature transformational investments in the power grid to strengthen grid reliability and resilience, unlock additional supplies of renewable resources, and reduce energy burdens across the New England region and beyond. 

· Power Up New England features new and upgraded transmission points of interconnection in Southeast Massachusetts and Southeast Connecticut to unlock up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of additional offshore wind and innovative battery energy storage systems in Southwest Connecticut and Northern Maine to enhance grid resilience and optimize delivery of renewable energy. Project developers supporting the Power Up New England application include Elevate Renewables, Eversource Energy, a multi-day energy storage technology provider, and National Grid.  

· Clean Resilience Link features an interregional transmission upgrade that would enable operation of a New York-New England transmission line at 345 kilovolts (kV), increasing transfer capacity between the two regions by up to 1,000 MW. Project developers supporting the Clean Resilience Link application include National Grid and Reactive Technologies. 

“The Northeast region offers DOE two compelling applications, highlighting our strong regional ties,” said Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “As we work to achieve our climate goals and increase the generation of renewable energy in the region, we need to invest in our transmission system and storage resources to deliver clean energy to our residents and businesses.” 

The GIP, administered through DOE’s $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, is intended to fund projects that improve grid reliability and resilience using advanced technologies and innovative partnerships and approaches. The maximum award per project is $250 million, or $1 billion for a project with significant transmission investment, like Power Up New England and Clean Resilience Link. Up to $1.82 billion in funding is available through the second round of the GIP. The deadline to submit applications to DOE is April 17, 2024.  

In pursuing federal funds, the New England states seek to capture significant benefits for the region and its 15 million residents and businesses. Funding through the DOE program would offset costs for transmission and storage infrastructure projects that support clean energy goals, enhance operational flexibility, grid reliability, and resilience during extreme weather events and periods of system stress, and provide necessary innovation in project planning and development. 

The applications include robust Community Benefits Plans that describe the actions project developers will take related to community engagement, workforce development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. An important objective of DOE’s GIP and of state energy offices is to advance the interests of and opportunities for disadvantaged communities as energy infrastructure is developed across the nation. 

Last September, the New England states issued an Invitational Call for Innovative Project Design Concepts to solicit proposals for possible submission to DOE for the second round of the GIP. Project proposals were due November 17, 2023. The New England states evaluated the proposals, with technical assistance from ISO New England, the region’s grid operator. In January, the states submitted concept papers for Power Up New England and Clean Resilience Link, for which they received encouragement from DOE to submit full applications. ISO New England continued to provide valuable technical assistance to the states throughout the application process.

DOE is expected to announce project selections this Fall.  

"These two applications for the Grid Innovation Program are the result of a whole-of-government effort to compete for federal funding, and close partnerships with our counterparts in neighboring states," said Massachusetts Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "The funding would be transformational for the development of renewable energy and grid resiliency across the entire Northeast region, and we look forward to the consideration of our proposals by the U.S. Department of Energy." 

"Connecticut is excited to submit these two innovative projects, together with our sister New England states, to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Innovation Program,” said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes. “If funded, these projects will provide critical support to our state, regional, and national efforts to affordably and equitably transition to a cleaner and more reliable grid." 

“A more modern and resilient electric grid is an essential component of Maine and the region's clean energy future," said Dan Burgess, Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. “This joint application to the Grid Innovation Program underscores the importance of continued collaboration with neighboring states and puts forth thoughtful proposals that will help strengthen and prepare our regional grid.” 

“New Hampshire appreciates opportunities for regional cooperation as we seek to improve our system’s reliability and resiliency,” said New Hampshire Department of Energy Commissioner Jared Chicoine. “We are excited to join New England in pursuing support for this multi-pronged approach with the expectation that it will provide ratepayer benefits." 

“Regional collaboration on significant energy projects is critical in advancing our collective clean energy and system reliability efforts. These DOE applications provide a great opportunity to make our regional energy system more resilient and reliable long term," said Acting Rhode Island Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns. 

“Vermont is encouraged by the interstate collaboration that took place to submit these two applications to the Department of Energy,” said Vermont Department of Public Service Commissioner June Tierney. “These projects promise to deliver on the values held by Vermont for electricity – reliability, affordability, resilience, and sustainability.” 

“Elevate believes we’re at a pivotal inflection point where reliability meets a reasoned, clean energy transition, and we’re excited to partner with the New England States and be part of the Power Up portfolio of innovative projects considered for partnership funding through DOE. Elevate is continuing to demonstrate the transformative addition of a carbon-neutral battery storage system to transform the operations of an existing generating facility to meet New England’s resiliency goals, repurpose existing brownfield sites with clean energy investments to benefit disadvantaged local communities, retaining and retraining a workforce for a new era, and provide resources to address customer energy burdens, while enabling the region for the clean energy transition,” said Eric Cherniss, Founder and Head of Development at Elevate Renewables.  

“Power Up presents an opportunity for a transformational investment in New England’s clean energy transition while improving grid reliability, reducing energy burdens for customers, uplifting local communities, and creating high-quality jobs,” said Bill Quinlan, President of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects at Eversource Energy. “Eversource is proud to be a partner in Power Up and help advance the nation’s goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy. We are confident our proposal will result in a new era of planning and development for New England’s electric grid and deliver resounding local economic and community benefits.” 

“National Grid is proud to partner with the six New England states, New York, and other developers to propose two projects that will drive our region toward a stronger, smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy future,” said Lisa Wieland, President of National Grid, New England.  “These projects will deliver more clean energy to our customers, create thousands of jobs, and bring significant economic opportunities to our communities. National Grid looks forward to partnering on these projects to help the region meet its clean energy goals.” 

麻州地鐵誌記自閉症接受月 舉辦首屆自閉症交通項目

 MBTA Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month with Inaugural Participation in the Autism Transit Project

MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng welcomed Autism Transit Project Founder Jonathan Trichter, local children with autism spectrum disorder, and their families before an exclusive tour of the MBTA’s Operations Control Center today. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is pleased to announce its first-ever involvement in the Autism Transit Project, an initiative that empowers children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to create public service announcements for transit systems across the country. In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month during April, starting today and through mid-May, the MBTA will play public announcements created by local children with ASD in stations across the system. The MBTA joins other transit agencies in this meaningful project organized by the Autism Transit Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization. 

“Our transportation system should be accessible to all of our residents and visitors. The Autism Transit Project is an extension of that commitment and supports one of the MBTA’s key goals, which is to make sure every single traveler can navigate the system successfully,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This is a great way to spread the word about Autism Awareness Month and to help educate other people in their same situation.” 

“We are honored to participate in the Autism Transit Project and celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with our community,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “This initiative not only raises awareness about autism, but also provides a unique platform for children with ASD to showcase their talents and make a positive impact on our public transportation system and help us lift up our values and our commitment of fostering a public transit system where everyone feels welcome, respected, and safe. Thank you to the children and families for being part of the T family with their participation today and recording these great public service announcements.” 

“Children with autism sometimes fixate on feats of everyday mechanical engineering,” said Jonathan Trichter, founder of The Autism Transit Project. “This is especially true of trains and transit systems—something frontline MBTA workers see every day. In addition, children with autism may not come to language naturally. Instead, they grab onto phrases they hear in places they love and use them to communicate with the world around them. As a result, it is not unusual for the first full sentence a child with autism utters to be a transit service announcement. This is why this project is so special. And today, the MBTA is creating a space for these kids to participate in civic life and be heard.” 

“From simply watching trains, to walking up and touching a train, to getting on and taking a ride on a train, to riding every line in the entire MBTA system, this program, while physically measurable in some ways, has an immeasurable impact on my son, Christopher. Thank you!” said Robin Long-Tarjan, whose son, Christopher (age 14), participated in the project this year. 

The Autism Transit Project and the MBTA collaborated with families from greater Boston within the MBTA service area on announcement scripts and produced the recordings. Announcements by the children included tips on how to safely board and disembark trains, offering seats to others, and remembering to be kind while riding the T. 

To further support the program and express gratitude to the participating children, the MBTA welcomed them for an exclusive tour of its Operations Control Center where they gained a behind-the-scenes look at the system and met bus and subway dispatchers. Additionally, the MBTA will feature the Autism Transit Project on its in-station digital screens and social media channels. 

The MBTA’s participation in the Autism Transit Project follows another recent initiative supporting young transit enthusiasts with disabilities. On March 21, the MBTA hosted a field trip from Boston Public Schools’s Horace Mann School for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing at its Emergency Training Center in South Boston. Staff from various departments led students through a hands-on experience with public transit in a controlled environment. 

About the Autism Transit Project 

The Autism Transit Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission it is to spread acceptance and awareness that people with autism are worthy and valuable parts of their societies—different perhaps, but no less. The project relies on its ability to channel the connection many with autism spectrum disorder ("ASD") have to mass transit systems in a positive way. It started with an idea when its founder, Jonathan Trichter, launched a widely praised initiative that allows autistic children who love trains to record subway service announcements that are then broadcast publicly throughout their local transit systems in conjunction with Autism Acceptance Months. Last year, in 2023, over 100 children and five major transit agencies across the country participated. This year, seven transit agencies participated with even more kiddos!

灣聲樂團美加巡演訂4/25抵波士頓

               (Boston Orange) 甫於2023年入圍「第34屆金曲獎傳統暨藝術音樂類」七個獎項的「灣聲樂團 (One Song Orchestra) 」，訂4月25日 (週四)晚7點，來到Newbury街上波士頓聖約教會 (Church of the Covenant Boston) ，舉辦該團2024年美加巡演的第四站演出。

              這次的巡演，「灣聲樂團」將演奏台灣經典樂曲，包括《草螟弄雞公》、《天公落水》、《綠島小夜曲》、《月亮代表我的心》，以及美國經典歌曲《We are the word》、《Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree》等人們熟悉，又有意義的曲目。

              「灣聲樂團」是一個由企業家雷輝與傳藝金曲獎得主李哲藝共同發起創辦，旨在藉由古典音樂揉合在地文化，讓全世界更加認識台灣的樂團，從2017年創立以來，堅持只演奏兩種音樂，一是臺灣人寫的音樂，二是以臺灣為素材的音樂。

從2019年起，灣聲還每年舉辦「台灣新年音樂會」，不只演奏給台灣人民聽，也透過電視和網路向全世界直播，有數千萬人觀看，在國際上的知名度和影響力，都在逐年提升。

              截至今年，「灣聲樂團」以各種形式及規模，已表演過500場，每年的演出票房，平均超過90%。這次美加巡演，繼西雅圖、溫哥華、休士頓之後，將來波士頓，再於4月27日到紐約演出。

                6月時，「灣聲樂團」將啟動 “世界十大音樂廳演出”的計畫，首站為東京「三得利廳 (Suntory Hall)」。

              4月25日在波士頓的這場演出，將在波士頓市紐百利街67號的聖約教會教堂 (Church of the Covenant Boston，67 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116）舉行。查詢詳情可洽Andy Lin， 917-442-6618，或andylinviola@gmail.com。

麻州府組5人委員會 搜尋下任糾正署署長

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Search Committee for Department of Correction Commissioner   

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an update on the search process to identify the next Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, following the retirement of Commissioner Carol Mici last month. The Administration has formed a six-member search committee, composed of diverse professionals and community leaders with wide-ranging expertise and lived experience, to guide a robust process to identify the new executive and administrative leader of the Department of Correction.     

With administrative support from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Committee will guide the search process and provide multiple opportunities for stakeholder engagement. During the ongoing search, the Department remains under the leadership of Interim Commissioner Shawn Jenkins.   

Search Committee members include:   

·          Deirdre Calvert, Director of the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services 

·          Reverend Rahsaan D. Hall, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts 

·          David C. Henderson, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Boston Medical Center and Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine 

·          Sakieth Sako Long, Director of Operations for the Northeast Region at the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services 

·          Scott Semple, Retired Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Correction 

·          Yolanda Smith, Executive Director of Public Safety at Tufts University and former Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Superintendent and Chief of Staff 

“Massachusetts leads the nation with historically low rates in incarceration and recidivism. The next DOC commissioner has a unique opportunity to shape the future of corrections in Massachusetts, advance the Department’s rehabilitative mission, and ensure the health and well-being of those working and living in DOC facilities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are grateful to the remarkable members of the search committee for their service and commitment to identifying strong applicants with the vision and values to lead the Department of Correction into the future.”     

“The selection of the Department’s future leader marks a pivotal moment for the DOC and a transformative opportunity to advance criminal justice reform, operational enhancements, rehabilitation, and recidivism,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We look forward to engaging with the search committee and appreciate their dedication to conducting a thorough and expedient search to identify highly qualified and diverse candidates.”   

The search committee will begin the process by seeking stakeholder input about the most valued qualities and criteria for the DOC’s next commissioner. The search committee will then conduct a robust search and interview process for qualified candidates, culminating in a selection of finalists to be recommended to the Governor.  

廖國瑋鋼琴獨奏會 樂評稱讚演繹精妙

廖國瑋以鋼琴演奏舒曼作品。(中華表演藝術基金會提供)

              (Boston Orange) 中華表演藝術基金會4月13日晚在紐英崙音樂學院喬登廳舉辦的廖國瑋 (Kuok-Wai Lio) 鋼琴獨奏會，讓200多名觀眾熱情歡呼，掌聲久久不歇。

在這場盛大而成功的音樂會中，廖國瑋演奏了舒曼的《兒童場景》Op.15、《克萊斯勒》Op.16，以及《幻想曲》Op.17等著名作品。

波士頓音樂情報 (The Boston Musical Intelligener) 樂評在這場音樂會後，撰文詳細討論廖國瑋演奏的每一首曲目，稱讚廖國瑋的表演精湛絕倫，既敏感、深思、創新，還手指靈活，在琴鍵上飛躍、觸控，令人驚嘆。他形容廖國瑋的藝術才華在《幻想曲》的靜謐時刻尤為突出，輕鬆自如的塑造精妙旋律，還把第三樂章中的空靈溫柔演繹得令人心馳神往。 彈奏安可曲時，廖國瑋為觀眾獻上巴赫《哥德堡變奏曲》中的詠嘆調，又讓觀眾為曲神傷，報以更熱烈掌聲中。

國際鋼琴雜誌英國版的資深樂評家史蒂芬·威格勒 (Stephen Wigler) 則在題為“深入其中”的評論中說，” 在19世紀的偉大鋼琴作曲家中，舒曼的作品可能是最難演奏得好的。這不僅僅是音樂界廣泛承認的技術困難，更關乎詮釋演奏者的勇氣。舒曼有探索靈魂深處的傾向，演奏其作品需要勇氣，而全場都演奏舒曼曲目，可得有更大勇氣。廖國瑋選擇一連彈奏三曲舒曼作品，簡直是瘋狂的勇敢，尤其是這幾首曲目不僅演奏時危險而艱難，還得在結束時那麼安靜。然而，事實證明，廖國瑋在智慧和情感之間取得了極佳平衡，能夠以非凡的流暢度，藉由音調的微妙變化，讓昂揚的音樂瞬間平息，讓熟悉這作品的人都聽出全新的狂喜。當晚的音樂會以舒曼最偉大作品《幻想曲》結束。”我從未聽過比當晚更美麗的表演，它揭示了人在進入寂靜的旅程中層層不同的深度。”

溫哥華太陽報 (The Vancouver Sun) 更是稱讚廖國瑋為“音樂家中的音樂家”，《紐約時報》也稱其演奏“細膩動人”。

澳門出生，畢業於柯蒂斯 (Curtis)音樂學院的廖國瑋，在音樂演奏路上，履歷標青，曾以獨奏身份和世界各地的管弦樂團合作演出。他在2013 年曾獲著名的艾弗里·費舍爾職業獎 (Avery Fisher Career Grant )，費城音樂基金協會職業發展獎，師從過Gabriel Kwok, Gary Graffman, Claude Frank, Peter Frankl, Boris Berman, Jack Winerock 等人。應安德拉斯·席夫 (Andras Schiff) 之邀，到歐洲參加許多大師班，並應里昂·弗萊舍爾 (Leon Fleisher) 之邀參加了一個指導計劃之外，他曾與喬納森·比斯 (Jonathan Biss) 和伊農·巴納坦 (Inon Barnatan) 一起在溫哥華舒伯特音樂節 (Schubertiade)上演出，並被選中在紐約代替傳奇的拉杜·盧普 (Radu Lupu)，廣受好評。

13日晚在音樂會結束後，有20位跨代的知名音樂家齊聚一堂，慶祝他的演奏會辦大為成功。

中華表演基金會表示，這場音樂會的視頻將上載到中華表演藝術基金會 YouTube頻道上 (Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FCPA/videos) 免費供大家欣賞。查詢或關注中華表演基金會，可上社交網站Instagram: @ cathychanfcpa。

麻州公共設施處響應全美"關注挖掘安全月"

 DPU Joins Dig Safe Awareness National Campaign 

Governor Healey signs proclamation declaring April as Dig Safe Month  

BOSTON — Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) join other New England states and utility companies around the country to highlight April as Dig Safe Awareness Month. The public awareness campaign, spearheaded by the nonprofit Dig Safe, Inc., reminds excavators, contractors, and residents to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. 811 is the line for Dig Safe, an organization that notifies gas, electric, telephone, and cable companies about any intended digging project to ensure underground lines and pipes are not tampered with. At no cost to the excavator, professional locators visit the requested dig site to mark the approximate locations of underground utility lines with flags, spray paint, or both.  

Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll recently signed a proclamation announcing Dig Safe Awareness month across Massachusetts, joining with other states and utility companies around the country to remind excavators, contractors, and residents to be vigilant of utility lines when digging and call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects.  The proclamation is just one of the many ways the state is promoting awareness of the free service that Dig Safe, Inc. provides. Road signs along Route 93, promoting trainings for first time offenders, emailing reminders to contractors, and a digital toolkit to promote Dig Safe on social media are ways in which the DPU is alerting the public to call 811 before digging.    

State law requires calling 811 at least three days before digging is to start. Accidentally striking an underground utility line can result in serious personal injury, property damage, and costly service disruptions for many. Additionally, failure to follow the provisions of the law and regulations can result in fines.     

“Utility accidents from damaged underground lines and pipes are both dangerous and costly,” said Chair James Van Nostrand. “Calling 811 is the best way to ensure a line won’t be hit when starting a new home project this year.”    

“Call 811: complying with the dig safe law is critical to preventing accidents, injury, and damage,” said Commissioner Cecile Fraser. “No one wants to disrupt utility services or worse, become seriously injured when tackling an outdoor project. Calling 811 ensures safety for all.”  

“Exercising caution by calling 811 keeps workers safe and prevents unnecessary costs for ratepayers,” said Commissioner Staci Rubin. “The spray paint markings promote safe digging practices.” 

Excavations are the leading cause of damage to underground utility infrastructure. In 2023, the Department investigated 1,421 excavation-related incidents involving possible violations to utility infrastructure in Massachusetts. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Examples of digging projects that require a call to 811 include: 

·      Installing a mailbox or fence; 

·      Building a deck; 

·      Installing a pool or basketball hoop; and, 

·      Planting trees and shrubs.    

For more information about 811 and safe digging practices, please visit https://www.mass.gov/dig-safe or www.digsafe.com.  

昆士市7-11便利店遭3名蒙面男子持槍搶劫

圖片來自Norwell警察局臉書

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 麻州昆士市法蘭克林街上一家7-11便利店，在4月17日早上遭遇3名蒙面男子持槍搶劫。警方正在確認，這3名嫌犯是否和半小時前，在Norwell發生的一件類似搶案有關。

               根據警察公佈的訊息，昆士市警察追一輛藍色現代 (Hyundai)車，一路追到水街 (Water) 和自由街(Liberty)交界處。該車逃過了警察追捕，不過還沒開多久，就在水街上撞上消防栓和電線杆。

             車上男子拔起腿，從當地住家庭院奔逃。警察搜尋，未找到嫌犯，但在撞車現場的調查，讓警察相信車內男子就是搶劫7-11的人。

             稍後，就在撞車現場附近，有人舉報車輛被偷。警察正在查，偷車賊是否就是搶便利店的那3人。

             根據Norwell 警察局的臉書網頁，以及WCVB的報導，3名蒙面持械搶匪中，有2人是講西班牙文的西語裔人士，在凌晨4點18分左右，從Norwell華盛頓街95號的7-11便利店偷了500元，開著一輛黑色轎車，朝向Hingham方向離去。

慶祝"照顧行動月"滿週歲 Healey 上白宮宣揚麻州托兒照顧更可負擔

At White House Event, Governor Healey Highlights Massachusetts’ Nation-Leading Work to Make Child Care More Affordable 

Proposed Workforce Training System would ensure workers have access to training, as well as critical supports like child care  

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today participated in the Biden-Harris administration’s “Making Care Work” event, in honor of Care Workers Recognition Month and the Month of Action on Care. The event marked the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers. During her remarks, Governor Healey highlighted her administration’s nation-leading efforts to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care, including for workers, and her aggressive approach to competing for federal funding. White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Shailen Bhatt, Governor Tina Kotek of Oregon, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, tradeswomen, care advocates, and business community representatives also participated in the event. President Biden’s Care EO directed every cabinet-level agency to determine how they can require, preference, or

encourage their own federal funding applicants to provide supportive services, including care, for workers. Governor Healey outlined her administration’s efforts to provide supportive services to Massachusetts workers with the help of federal funding. 

The MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board and its community partners are currently seeking a $20 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant through the CHIPS and Science Act called the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program. The proposal will create a Workforce Training System that will help provide child care, education, job training, and employment opportunities for workers in Springfield and Holyoke. The coalition applicants -- one of 22 other finalists across the country -- are currently working to finalize their application, which is due on April 25. 

Last year, as part of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s commitment to aggressively compete for federal funding, Massachusetts was awarded $19.7 million through the federal CHIPS and Science Act to establish the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC). NEMC is 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. Governor Healey has made expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care a top priority of her administration. Massachusetts is the only state in the nation to continue funding child care stabilization grants via the transformative Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program at the level the federal government did after the federal funding expired. C3 has helped to keep over

7,000 child care programs open and supported over 42,000 educators. The Governor has also proposed a Gateway to Pre-K agenda that would set a pathway for universal high-quality, affordable preschool access statewide and increase child care financial assistance. 

Governor Healey’s remarks are below and a recording of the event can be found here.  

I really appreciate the opportunity to be here today and to join you, Director Klein, Secretary Raimondo, Administrator Bhatt and of course my fantastic colleagues who you just heard from, Governors Kotek and Hochul, who are doing great things on so many fronts and certainly committed to this particular issue. 

I also want to thank all the advocates, employers, and tradeswomen joining us today. Special shout out to Nancy Luc who you'll hear today from Building Pathways in Boston, which is a great program.    

I just want to say at the outset how grateful I am to President Biden and Vice President Harris for prioritizing job creation and investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, and so much more. These investments have already produced historic economic growth across this country.    

They are empowering states like ours to not only create good jobs – but also fill those jobs, by reaching and supporting workers who have for far too long have been shut out.    

So, I just want to begin with thanks to the Biden-Harris administration for the many investments that we've been able to make as a result of their strategic investments and funding.  

When we talk about infrastructure, we're talking about child care, and that is something that the Biden Harris administration understands—that child care is an absolutely essential foundation for economic growth. You heard Governors Kotek and Hochul speak about that, and employers, both public and private, absolutely need to bring child care on board to work and power us forward. 

Here in Massachusetts, we've done a few things. We've leveraged ARPA funds to launch a stipend program for participants in workforce training programs – to help them by supporting their child care, transportation, and technology needs, among other resources.  

We are also partnering with labor on infrastructure projects: to support pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that deploy the supportive services model as a proven strategy for diversifying good careers in the Trades. And when I talk diversifying, I'm really speaking to bringing more women into the trades and into these jobs.  

I also want to talk about how our federal partnership with the Biden administration has enabled us to do new innovations. We are thrilled to be a finalist in the Commerce Department’s Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program through the CHIPS & Science Act. Just another example of the programming that is transformational that the Biden-Harris administration is making possible.  

We have an area in western Massachusetts that suffers from the highest level of poverty and unemployment in our state. It is also an area where there's a great opportunity for growth, one of our clean energy companies is about to build out there but we need to support a workforce. So, we now have a plan that we just built out with our regional workforce board that takes a new approach to addressing some of these deep inequalities of race and geography. 

Today I am announcing a $20 million plan that would create a workforce training system that provides not only access to skills and jobs there but also importantly child care, transportation and social support.  

The worker has to be the focal point here, making sure they have the support they need to be able to do these jobs and move into great careers. The focus on supportive services is really critical in this moment, not only for achieving equity but achieving sustained economic growth and recovery.  

Our economy is strong. The unemployment rate has been near historic lows. But many employers are having ahard time filling the jobs they have open because some of our residents are held back by barriers that are systemic. That is what these programs and opportunities through the Chips and Science Act enable.  

This partnership with the Biden Harris administration will enable us to provide affordable quality child care, that in particular has limited the ability of women to fully participate, achieve financial independence and overcome wage gaps. That is why it's a priority for the Biden-Harris administration and one that we embrace and that we will support. 

I am proud over the last two years to have been able to fund a program here we call the Commonwealth Cares program, which has kept 7,000 child care programs open here in Massachusetts and 4,200 child care educators working. We're also continuing to expand financial assistance for low- and moderate-income families. And we recently we have launched a plan called Gateway to Pre-K to achieve universal pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds in our state. 

Ultimately this is not just awhole-of-government approach, but a whole-of-society need.   

So we are bringing everyone to the table to solve this child care challenge – educators, employers, advocates, and labor. And we’re grateful to the Biden Administration, and their partners inCongress, for prioritizing care and supportive services – today, and every day.    

This is an unprecedented step forward in national economic policy, one for which I am particularly very grateful for. Thank you for the opportunity to share our story with you today. 

波士頓市氣候長訂6月換人 Brian Swett將接掌內閣

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市氣候長6月將換由萬寧路 (Tom Menino)市長時代的Brian Swett接任。吳弭市長指派的氣候長Mariama White-Hammond牧師將於4月26日離任，專心經營她創辦的”新根 AME教堂”。

              波士頓環球報今 (17)日刊登了這一消息。

              Brian Swett是在2012年時，首度由萬寧路聘為波士頓市的環境內閣首長，2014年馬丁華殊 (Martin Walsh) 接任市長後，他轉任旅遊局主任，接著2015年回到私營企業，目前是持續發展工程顧問公司Arup的首席顧問。

              Brian Swett將和波士頓市的新綠政策 (Green New Deal) 主任Oliver Sellers-Garcia組成新內閣，主導波士頓市的環境、能源及開放空間內閣。Oliver Sellers-Garcia將專注於經濟項目，例如清潔能源就業培訓，和公共衛生有關的倡議等。

              為波士頓市推出"氣候完備 (Climate Ready)"策略，辨識了波士頓市最易受氣候變化影響的溼度，海平面上升，極端炎熱等議題的Brian Swett說，以前波士頓市都處於計畫、制定目標階段，現在卻是要進入實施階段了。

              波士頓市長吳弭在她提出的2025會計年度預算中，列出了要爭取7500萬元聯邦氣候韌性補助款，推動她的環境及氣候議程。

利率高漲，房屋供應量大減 大波士頓居不易

               (Boston Orange 摘譯) 面對著居高不下的房價，持續看漲的貸款利率及房租，以及政府的估計全州約短缺20萬戶房屋，麻州無殼蝸牛們好為難。

               就連Sudbury這2023年中位價格已漲至113萬元的郊區，，地產經紀說，一有新房屋上市，潛在買家也立刻排成隊，有的甚至幾小時之內就售出，成交價格還經常比要價高15%。             

              過去幾年來，大波士頓的房屋市場，一直都供需不對稱，單家庭房屋的中位價格，去年已經漲到84萬5千元，比2020年漲了25%，但過去這2年，房屋買賣成交量卻下降了33%。

              造成這些情況的因素很多，貸款利率，例如30年期的固定利率，去年11月就已漲至7.8%，幾乎是2021年1月時的3倍，那些載2020和2021年以4%，或者甚至3%利率辦理了重新貸款的屋主們，幾乎都不願意出售手中的房屋。

              那些面對著麻州2睡房單位中位租金已高達每月3000元，波士頓許多社區更是每月超過3500元的承租戶們，就算想要買房子，也感嘆得準備的頭期款數額越來越大，簡直沒法存夠錢。