50+ ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER GROUPS RELEASE OPEN LETTER SUPPORTING JUSTICE FOR AKAI GURLEY AND THE INDICTMENT OF NYPD OFFICER PETER LIANG

50+ ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER GROUPS RELEASE OPEN LETTER SUPPORTING JUSTICE FOR AKAI GURLEY AND THE INDICTMENT OF NYPD OFFICER PETER LIANG

New York, NY — More than fifty Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) groups from across the country have released an open letter calling for justice for Akai Gurley, an unarmed, Black, 28-year-old father who was killed by NYPD Officer Peter Liang on November 20, 2014.

Officer Liang was conducting a vertical patrol in the Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York when he fired a shot that killed Gurley, who was visiting the home of his girlfriend.

The 50+ Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations who have signed the letter represent diverse constituencies across all regions of the U.S. They range from prominent national organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, the nation's oldest legal Asian American civil rights organization, and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), an AFL-CIO affiliate, to grassroots community organizations such as Khmer Girls in Action in Long Beach, CA and Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) in New York City.

The letter has also been signed by almost 200 leaders in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, including MacArthur Genius and TIME’s 100 Most Influential people honoree Ai-jen Poo; Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development Lisa Hasegawa; San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar; prominent blogger Phil Yu of “Angry Asian Man”; American Book Award-winning author Jeff Chang; and many more.

The release of the letter follows calls from some Asian Americans for the charges against Officer Liang to be dropped.

In the letter, the organizations and leaders strongly condemn such calls and express support for Akai Gurley’s family and all families impacted by police violence, writing, “We strongly oppose calls coming from some members of the Asian American community to drop charges against NYPD Officer Peter Liang for the death of Akai Gurley. This demand is misguided and utterly hurtful to Akai Gurley’s family and to communities that have been subjected to discriminatory and often deadly policing practices across the country. We stand with Akai Gurley’s family and all those who have lost loved ones to police violence. We firmly believe that Peter Liang must be held accountable for his actions...There is broad support in the Asian and Pacific Islander community for #JusticeforAkaiGurley and for the systemic overhaul of policing practices and other institutional policies that chronically defund and destabilize Black communities.”

“Our organizations have released this letter to make clear that there is broad support for Akai Gurley’s family and police accountability in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, including the Chinese American community,” said Cathy Dang, Executive Director of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities in New York, NY. “Efforts calling for charges against NYPD Officer Peter Liang to be dropped are divisive, hurtful, and misguided. We should all be standing with Akai’s family, who have lost a beloved brother, son, and father, and should be fighting to reform policing practices so that more families won’t have to suffer the pain they are going through.”

“Akai Gurley's tragic murder is not isolated. Black bodies are systemically and historically dehumanized in this country in ways the Asian American community will never face. Our solidarity work begins with organizing and transforming our community to understand the reality of anti-black racism,” said Sarath Suong, Executive Director of the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), a Providence, RI organization that works with Southeast Asian youth. “As Southeast Asians, we experience anti-black racism through invisibility and violence within the Asian American community because we are darker-skinned. We must connect that to the invisibility and violence that the Gurley family is experiencing right now, and not participate in using our systemic privilege as Asian Americans to avoid accountability for the harm we have caused to others."

“As South Asian communities, we know that we live in a racist society, in which we often are at the receiving end of racism, and sometimes we benefit from the racism. But the only solution to ending such racism is to fight for justice for all communities, not just only when it harms our communities,” saidFahd Ahmed, Executive Director, DRUM - Desis Rising Up & Moving, of New York, NY.

“The fact that Officer Liang is Chinese American doesn't mean that we as Asian Americans should support him unequivocally. It is quite the opposite — it should compel us to think about what justice looks like and how Chinese Americans and all Asian Americans can contribute to the movement for police accountability and broader racial justice. This is part of our history. Our Asian American identity was and continues to be about building solidarity with other communities of color, especially the Black community,” said Joyce Lam of the Chinese Progressive Association of San Francisco, based in the Bay Area.

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Text of open letter (English and Chinese):

As Asian and Pacific Islander community leaders and organizations from across the country, we strongly oppose calls coming from some members of the Asian American community to drop charges against NYPD Officer Peter Liang for the death of Akai Gurley.

This demand is misguided and utterly hurtful to Akai Gurley’s family and to communities that have been subjected to discriminatory and often deadly policing practices across the country.

We stand with Akai Gurley’s family and all those who have lost loved ones to police violence.

We firmly believe that Peter Liang must be held accountable for his actions.

The fact that Officer Liang is Asian American shouldn’t mean that we as Asians and Pacific Islanders support him unequivocally. Quite the opposite — it should compel us to think about what justice looks like and how Asian Americans can contribute to the movement for police accountability and broader racial justice.

Police violence against Black communities is a systemic problem, and when police officers are not held accountable, they are enabled to kill with impunity. Without accountability for police officers who use deadly force and a complete and thorough overhaul of policing practices and other institutional policies in the U.S., we will have more Akai Gurleys and more Officer Liangs, more Mike Browns and Darren Wilsons, more Rekia Boyds and Dante Servins. This should be unacceptable to all of us, especially as many of our own community members, from South Asians post-9/11 to Southeast Asian communities, are also targeted by police departments across the country.

Our history shows us that when Asian communities work together in solidarity with Black communities, we all benefit. We also recognize that the Asian community in the US has historically benefited from Black-led movements for racial and economic justice.

There is broad support in the Asian and Pacific Islander community for #JusticeforAkaiGurley and for the systemic overhaul of policing practices and other institutional policies that chronically defund and destabilize Black communities.

This is a flashpoint for Asian and Pacific Islander communities to come together and oppose police violence. In this moment, we stand together to show support for Akai Gurley’s family, other families who have lost loved ones to police violence, as well as the broader police accountability movement.

公开信：

作為全國各地亞裔美國人社區領袖和機構，我們強烈反對亞裔美國人社區中的一些人要求取消NYPD紐約警員Peter Liang為Akai Gurley死亡的刑事檢控。

這要求是很誤導人的，而且對Akai Gurley家人和受到警察歧視和生命威脅的社區來說是很傷人的。

我們與Akai Gurley家人和所有因為警察暴力而失去了親人的受害者同在。

我們堅信Peter Liang一定要為他的行為負責任。

我們亞裔美國人不能因為Peter Liang警員是亞裔美國人而無條件支持他。相反的，我們應該要因此思考什麼是正義，而且也要思考亞裔美國人如何可以為更廣泛的種族正義且向警察問責而貢獻。

警察對黑人社區的暴力是一個系統性問題，而當警察人員不用負責任的時候，他們可以有罪免責的殺人。如果殺人的警察不用負責任，我們會有更多像Akai Gurley和Peter Liang的案件。這是我們無法接受的，特別是像我們自己的社區一樣有很多911後的南亞人和東南亞人社區，也是警察部門全國針對的目標。

從我們的歷史中可以知道，當亞裔社區和黑人社區團結合作時，我們大家都受惠。我們也意識到，在美國的亞裔社區在過往因著由黑人帶領的種族和經濟公義運動而受益。

在亞裔美國人的社區裡，許多人支持#JusticeforAkaiGurley（讓AkaiGurley得到正義）的運動，也支持系統性檢討警方執法以及那些長期以來削減經費、動搖黑人社區的機構政策。

這是亞裔美國人社區的一個亮點。在這一刻，我們站在一起支持Akai Gurley家人、其他因警方暴力而失去親人的家庭，以及整個向警方問責的運動。

Signers:

Organizations:

18MillionRising.org

Anakbayan

API Resistance, Washington, DC

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), New York, NY

Asian American Resource Workshop, Boston, MA

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, San Francisco, CA

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Asian Americans United, Philadelphia, PA

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO

Asian Pacific Environmental Network, California

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon

Asian Women's Shelter, San Francisco, CA

Asians for Black Lives - Madison, Madison, WI

AYPAL: Building API Community Power, Oakland, CA

BAYAN USA

ChangeLab

Chinatown Community for Equitable Development, Los Angeles, CA

Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco, CA

Chinese Progressive Association - Boston, Boston, MA

Chinese Progressive Association - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter, New York, NY

Coalition of API Americans Collaborating Together to Unite the Southwest, Denver, CO

Damayan Migrant Workers Association, New York, NY

Dari Project, New York, NY

Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), New York, NY

Freedom Inc, Madison, WI

GABRIELA New York, New York, NY

Gay Asian Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY), New York, NY

HOBAK, Oakland, CA

Khmer Girls in Action, Long Beach, CA

Korean American Coalition to End Domestic Abuse (KACEDA), Oakland, CA

Korean American Historical Society, Seattle, WA

Muslim American Women's Policy Forum, Washington, DC

National Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans for Community Development (NCAPACD)

National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)

New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, New York, NY

Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, New York, NY

Oberlin College Asian American Alliance, Oberlin, OH

Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), Providence, RI

Queer Asian Pacific-Islander Alliance (QAPA), Boston, MA

RAISE: Revolutionizing Asian American Immigrant Stories on the East Coast, New York, NY

Reappropriate

Sahngnoksoo, Seattle, WA

Society for Asian American Graduate Affairs (SAAGA) at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

SALGA-NYC, New York, NY

Simmons College Asian Student Association, Boston, MA

Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

South Asia Solidarity Initiative, New York, NY

Tufts Asian American Alliance, Medford, MA

UNC Monsoon, Chapel Hill, NC

VAYLA (New Orleans, LA)

Individuals:

Ai-jen Poo

Aki Douthat

Alex-Quan Pham

Alex T. Tom

Alice Wong

Allison Budschalow

Alvina Wong

Andy Su

Angie Tran

Angry Asian Man, Phil Yu

Anita Chikkatur

Anna Lei

Annie Shaw

Annie Wu

Ashley Uyeda

Athena Pult

Aya Folk

Bao Phi

Becca Asaki

Betty Chen

Bob Wing

Bruce Reyes-Chow

C. Kee

Cam Nguyen

Cayden Mak

Celine Liu

Chandan Reddy

Chelsea Gao

Chris Le

Cynthia Fong

Darakshan Raja

Christen Lee

Dr. Christine T. Lipat

Christine "Xine" Yao

Claire Tran

Clara Iwasaki

Cristy Yeung

Cynthia Lee

Dahn Bi Lee-Hong

Prof. David Palumbo-Liu

Prof. David Shih

Dawn Lee Tu

Debby Cho

Deepa Iyer

Diane Wong

Dieu Huynh

Donna Gasapo

Donna Maeda

Eddy Zheng

Eliana Yu

Prof. Ellen Wu

Eric Hu

Supervisor Eric Mar, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Erica Qiao

Esther C.

Eugenia Beh

Fay Chiang

Felix Shiheng Huang

Francois Luong

Gareth Chen

Giao Tran

Glenn Omatsu

Gracelynne West

Gregory A. Cendana

Gwendolyn Mink

Hanna Sam

Helen Xu

Helena Wong

Henry Lee

Henry Pan

Hertencia Petersen

Hollis Wong-Wear

Jade Cho

Prof. James Lee

Janelle Wong

Jason Buell

Jason Fong

Jason McGraw

Jeff Chang

Jeffrey Lau

Jeffrey Pu

Dr. Jenny Phung-Payne, MD

Jessica Wu

Jillian Murray

Joan Chiou En Lin

Joan May Cordova

Johanna Puno Hester

Jonathan Tran

Joo-Hyun Kang

Joshua Wells

Joyce Nakamura

Judy Jun

Julia Katz

Juliet Shen

Karmen Cheung

Karen Fong

Karn Saetang

Kasey Shen

kat yang-stevens

Katharine Pong

Kathy Ko Chin

Katie Seitz

Katie Zheng

Keith Miyake

Kelvin Tam

Kevin Koo

Kristen Sun

Laina Yoswein

Lasitha Ranatunga

Le Tim Ly

LiJia Gong

Lily Wu

Linda Lam

Linh Chuong

Lisa Hasegawa

Lisa Lee

Londeka Ndukuda

Lorrayne Shen

Luke Patterson

Lydia Lowe

Lynna Zhong

M. Cesarre Perrin

Marcia Liu, Ph.D.

Mari Rose Taruc

Mark Tseng Putterman

May Fu

Mee-Ju Ro

Michael Pascual

Michelle Lau

Mimi Kim

Monica Tzeng

Monique Jones

Moon-Ho Jung

Moray Lee

Nga Bui

Nikhil Umesh

N'jaila Rhee

Olivia Evans

Pam Mintz

Patrick Chen

Prachi Patankar

Quynh Nguyen

Ray Jose

Rebekah Jaramillo

Rob Rusli

Roger Tang

Ryan Wong

Ryden Nelson

Samantha Ng

Scott Kurashige

Shaili

Sharifa King

Silvena Chan

Sine Hwang Jensen

Sonny Singh

Sophia Lamar

Soya Jung

Stephanie Mao

Stephen Mak

Sue J. Kim

Suey Park

Sunhay You

Suresh Dianand

Swati Rayasam

Taiyo Na

Tanya Tran

Tenzin Namdol

Tessa Kim

Theresa Tran

Dr. Thomas Chen

Tina Bartolome

Thomas L. Mariadason

todd ayoung

Toi-Sing Woo, New Directions Consulting

Tomie Arai

Tommy Wu

Toshi X. Tomori

Urooj Rahman

Victoria Wong

Vincent Fang

Vincent Pan

Vivian Truong

Wan Xia Ma

Wesley Alonzo

Wesley Chu

William Takamatsu Thompson

Yaejoon Kwon

YK Hong

Yonah Dylan Su-Chun Mott

藥明康德投資一千五百萬元 WuXi NextCODE和DNAnexus策略聯盟

藥明康德廿二日宣佈，投資一千五百萬元，讓位於麻州劍橋市的子公司WuXi NextCODE，和DNAnexus達成策略聯盟關係，進一步提高該公司在未來醫藥研發上的影響力，也展示出基因組學在全球市場上已成重要經濟推動力。

            藥明康德是在昨（廿三）日落幕的 2015年生物資訊科技世界（ Bio-IT World）會議及展覽中，做此宣布。

該會議聚集了來自三十二個國家的三千多名生命科學，臨床診斷，醫療，以及資訊科技界專業人士，探討資訊科技可以如何改善生物醫療的研究，臨床診斷及醫療。

            藥明康德總裁李革指出，藉著這投資一千五百萬元進DNAnexus的策略性投資及合夥關係，該公司將把全世界最好的科技，從世界上的任何角落，時間，提供給任何一家公司或機構，以充分發會基因組學分析及研發的能力。

藥明康德指WuXi NextCODE和DNAnexus這兩家公司攜手，將為基因組學提供一個全球性排台，製藥公司及診斷供應商可以在那兒儲存，詮釋序列數據，並經由單一雲端平台和全球各地的同僚合作。也讓他們得以把全球性的以雲端為基礎的基因組學平台，帶進中國

            藥明康德是全球最大的製藥界服務公司之一，百分之九十的客戶來自美國。中國是世界上第二大藥物市場，全世界有25%的基因測序是在中國進行。

            藥明康德今年二月才宣佈在劍橋市設據點，開分公司。沒多久之後就以六千五百萬元收購了位於劍橋市的 NextCODE公司，使得藥明康德的產業鏈更加健全。該公司指出，基因組學的發展迅速，數據量累積之快，也極為驚人。該公司雖有最尖端的基因分析能力，但無儲存機制，如今藥明康德投資，持有DNAnexus股份，他們就可從分析，儲存到再取用的擁有處理基因數據的完整能力，未來將有更多可能。

            近年來，麻州已成世界各地製藥及醫藥研發公司的兵家必爭之地。來自中國的公司中，華大基因，藥明康德是最知名的兩家。

圖片說明：

            WuXiNextCOD在2015年生物資訊科技世界（ Bio-IT World）會議及展覽中，擺了個小攤位。（菊子攝）

SHANGHAI, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – 22 April 2015 – WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: WX), whose leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform serves the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, WuXi NextCODE Genomics, which provides the most proven system for using sequence data to better diagnose and treat disease, and DNAnexus, the leader in cloud-based genome informatics and data management, have formed a strategic alliance that aims to accelerate the use of genomics to benefit patients worldwide. 

Now available via a single platform are the sequence data analysis suite that has analyzed more genomes than any other; pioneering Silicon Valley genomics cloud technology; and global, open-access drug discovery and development capabilities serving the life science industry:

• Bringing cloud-based genomics to China and Chinese genomics to the world 

• Speeding the development and delivery of sequence-based diagnostics worldwide

• Expanding research with collaborations and datasets of unprecedented scope and size

• Streamlining the development of personalized medicine and companion diagnostics

• Leveraging WuXi’s leading genomics and R&D through DNAnexus’ global cloud 

“This strategic investment and partnership bring together the world’s best technologies to enable any company or institution to leverage the full power of genomics and our R&D capabilities at any time, from anywhere,” commented Dr Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi PharmaTech. “By connecting through a compliant cloud everything from CLIA sequencing to drug discovery and development to companion diagnostics, we are empowering clinicians, institutions and life science companies to use genomics to benefit patients more globally and effectively than ever before.”

“This alliance with DNAnexus will fuel innovation across the science and business of genomics, and make our collective capabilities even more valuable to the range of our customers on four continents,” said Hannes Smarason, Chief Operating Officer of WuXi NextCODE. “We see this transforming the way large-scale sequence data is applied, underpinning virtual diagnostics enterprises, breakthroughs in rare disease and the rapid advance of more targeted, personalized medicine.”

“Our customers are global in scope and we’re teaming with WuXi NextCODE to extend the power and geographic reach of our cloud solution to support our partners’ efforts,” said Richard Daly, CEO of DNAnexus. “China has 20% of the world’s sequencing capacity and is a pillar of cutting-edge science worldwide. The DNAnexus platform enables research, drug development, and clinical diagnostic testing worldwide, and this alliance and investment allows us to expand our global network for genomic medicine.”

With WuXi NextCODE’s unique genomic database model and clinical and research interfaces directly available on the DNAnexus cloud, users will be able to store and interpret their sequence data and collaborate with colleagues around the world through one platform. The companies will also provide and host the same platform and capabilities within China, in full compliance with local regulations. Users will be able to use their genomic data seamlessly in tandem with the open access capability and technology platform that WuXi offers to the global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device industry. 

MAYOR WALSH INVITES DESIGN FIRMS TO REIMAGINE THE CITY'S WEB PRESENCE

MAYOR WALSH INVITES DESIGN FIRMS TO REIMAGINE THE CITY'S WEB PRESENCE

The City of Boston Releases Request for Proposal for City Website Redesign

Boston—Mayor Martin J. Walsh today released a formal request for design services, inviting design firms to help reimagine the City of Boston's website (Boston.gov).  Each year, this site is visited by over seven million users, providing news, information, resources, and digital services to Boston residents and visitors. Users can browse its over 5,000 pages and web forms to do everything from planning a trip to Boston, to seeing the assessed value of a property, to filing a report about a pothole.

"As the digital front door for Boston, it is important that information and services on the City's website are not just available, but are easily accessible for Boston residents and visitors,” said Mayor Walsh. "The City of Boston is building highly useful tools that are designed around the needs of our constituents, and we're looking for great partners on this effort."

The ‎user-centered redesign will involve extensive user research to make information and services more accessible for the City's diverse range of users, and will employ an iterative development methodology to incorporate user feedback throughout the process. The City expects to release a beta version of the new Boston.gov late this year, introducing an architecture that is thoroughly useful and features an improved design.

To view the request for design services or learn more about Mayor Walsh’s effort to reshape Boston.gov, visit Next.Boston.gov

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THE GET BIKING CHALLENGE FOR NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THE GET BIKING CHALLENGE FOR NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

To encourage K-8 students to increase the amount of time they bike during National Bike Month

BOSTON - April 23, 2015 - Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the Boston Bikes’ Get Biking Challenge, the first city-wide biking competition for youth. In celebration of National Bike Month in May, Boston Bikes is challenging K-8 students and teachers in Boston Public Schools to track participation in the Challenge by recording the number of minutes they ride each day.  A participation update will be shared halfway through the month to track progress as schools compete to win prizes.  Prizes include the Golden Pedal Award, free bike raffles, a bike field trip, and more.

“Good exercising habits start young, and the Boston Bikes Get Biking Challenge is a fun way to encourage kids to get active and get comfortable with cycling,” said Mayor Walsh.

The Get Biking Challenge is a part of Boston Bikes’ commitment to empowering youth through cycling education, safety and advocacy. Nine schools have already registered, including Mather Elementary, Nathan Hale Elementary, and William H. Ohrenberger Elementary.  For more information and to register a school for the Get Bike Challenge, please visithttp://www.bostonbikes.org/programs/get-biking-school-challenge/overview/ or call (617)-918-4253.

Boston Bikes is part of Mayor Walsh's vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens. It seeks to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all residents and visitors. Boston Bikes focuses on improvements in all six universal bike planning areas: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Encouragement, Equity, and Evaluation.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces LED Conversion Project

Baker-Polito Administration Announces LED Conversion Project

           

LYNN – Today, in celebration of Earth Day, Governor Charlie Baker was joined by Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton at Lynn Heritage State Park to announce a statewide energy efficiency initiative at Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) properties.  As part of an investment for energy savings, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and public safety, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that more than 4,500 street and outdoor lights across the Commonwealth will be converted to energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and associated fixtures.

“In celebration of Earth Day, I am pleased to announce this collaborative statewide LED program as an illustration of Massachusetts’ unrelenting commitment to energy efficiency and conserving the Commonwealth’s financial and energy resources,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This program highlights the type of strategic investments necessary to ensure a clean energy and environmental future for generations to come.”

The two-phase project is expected to save the Commonwealth more than $500,000 every year.  Since LED lights have a lifespan of approximately 15 years, DCR will also save on maintenance costs. 

Once completed, the project is projected to save approximately 3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, equivalent to annually providing electricity for 395 homes. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,000 metric tons, equal to taking 223 cars off the road each year.

“By converting to LED lighting at DCR facilities across the state, the Baker-Polito Administration has taken a crucial step in ensuring that Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in energy efficiency,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “This eco-friendly approach to lighting public recreation areas is a fiscally sound decision that benefits both the Commonwealth’s residents and our state’s natural environment.”

DCR is collaborating with the Department of Energy Resource’s (DOER) Leading by Example Program to support the conversion. DCR is investing $1 million in capital funding and will leverage $1.2 million in Non-Building Energy Efficiency Investment Program (NEEIP) funds from the Department of Energy Resources. NEEIP provides green bond financing for self-supporting energy projects that will cover the cost of financing through energy cost savings. Phase 1 of the project will also qualify for some $280,000 in Mass Save® incentives from Eversource, National Grid, and Chicopee Electric Light.

“The retrofit of these streetlights to LED will not only improve energy efficiency, it will also improve public safety along DCR’s many parkways across the Commonwealth,”said DCR Commissioner Jack Murray. “I thank Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton for their commitment to ensuring Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in energy efficiency.”

“These high efficiency lighting upgrades are a great illustration of how Massachusetts leads by example in saving energy, while reducing costs and our impact on the environment.” said DOER Acting Commissioner Dan Burgess.

“It’s good to be with the Governor and the Secretary at Lynn Heritage State Park to celebrate Earth Day and to kick off this statewide LED Initiative which will lead to significant energy savings and improved public safety across the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Thomas M. McGee.

“I am pleased that this DCR property within Lynn is taking part in this statewide initiative of converting to LED lights as it helps to make our city more energy efficient while cutting energy costs,” said State Representative Robert Fennell. “I applaud Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton on its implementation and look forward to working with the Administration over the next few years on other initiatives that will improve the quality of life for all citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Phase I of the project began on March 2, 2015, and includes the retrofit of approximately 2,000 cobrahead and shoebox luminaries from high intensity discharge (HID) lamps to LED lamps. Phase I is expected to be complete by the summer of 2015. Phase II of the project, which will be put out to bid this summer, will retrofit an additional 2,500 fixtures.

DCR has also converted its Geographic Information Systems Program into a complete ArcGIS Online (AGOL) web-map technology of the entire system. This system, located in 43 cities and towns across the Commonwealth, enables DCR staff to track the condition of each light, resulting in additional maintenance savings.

The Leading by Example (LBE) program works with state agencies to meet specific target for greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy consumption reduction and renewable energy procurement. Since 2007, state agencies have made significant progress, including meeting the 25 percent GHG reduction target, generating 15 percent of electricity demand from onsite renewable and combined heat and power energy, and reducing heating oil use by 72 percent. LBE results have been a factor in Massachusetts’ four years as the number one state for energy efficiency in the country, as ranked by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

ON EARTH DAY MAYOR WALSH CALLS ON BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS, AND GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE

ON EARTH DAY MAYOR WALSH CALLS ON BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS, AND GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE

Invites constituents to participate in Earth Day Twitter Chat at 3pm using #AskMJW

BOSTON - April 22, 2015 - On Earth Day Mayor Martin J. Walsh is encouraging Bostonians to help implement his recently released Greenovate Boston Climate Action Plan, and join him for an Earth Day Twitter Chat at 3pm using #askMJW. The Mayor will announce the new Greenovate Boston web platform where residents and business owners can learn what they can do for the environment, commit to action, and connect with others. The Mayor will also highlight a variety of recent and upcoming environmental actions, including two energy positive (E+) green building parcels in Dorchester, the Boston Public School’s Race to Recycle program, over 40 municipal energy efficiency projects, protected bike lanes in Dorchester and Allston, and the return of the goats to Boston Parks.

“Our Greenovate Boston Climate Action Plan sets ambitious sustainability goals and the community and city must work together to achieve them,” said Mayor Walsh. “Earth Day provides an opportunity to celebrate our progress and consider new ways we can integrate climate action into our lives.”

“Even small actions like switching to cold water wash, or turning your computer off at night can add up to significant impact,” said Austin Blackmon, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. “This new site not only encourages action, but it helps us better understand what actions people are taking and empowers the community to connect with each other and learn from one another.”

In addition to supporting community action, the City of Boston has made significant progress and continues to lead by example. In 2014 alone, the City, in partnership with Eversource Energy, implemented over 40 energy efficiency projects that will save over 9 million kWh and approximately $1.4 million per year. Over 80 percent of these savings came from the Public Works Department’s LED streetlight conversion program.

Mayor Walsh is also expanding efforts to encourage residents and small businesses to combat rising energy prices through programs and partnerships with Eversource, National Grid, and Mass Saves.

• Until the end of May, residents may purchase steeply discounted Renew Boston energy efficiency kits online, which include LEDs, water-saving shower heads, and smart power strips at Techniart.com/renewboston.

• For a limited time only, Mass Save and the utilities are offering generous rebates for replacing inefficient boilers and furnaces with more energy efficient heating equipment. Residents may be eligible to receive a rebate up to $4,000 for replacing a 30+ year old boiler or up to $1,000 for replacing a 12+ year old furnace. Learn more at RenewBoston.com or call 617-635-SAVE.

• Restaurants can take advantage of 70%-off rebates on EcoThermal Filter System, which is a series of grease filters that when mounted in the ventilation hood captures wasted heat from the cook line and generates hot water. These systems significantly reduce hot water heating costs and have the potential to save thousands of dollars a year. Visit www.EcoThermalFilters.com or call 866-867-8729 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation for your restaurant

The City’s sustainability initiatives continue to expand under the Greenovate Boston umbrella:

• The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) announced its Energy Positive (E+) program is expanding to a new site in Dorchester. The BRA, in partnership with the Department of Neighborhood Development, will be releasing an RFP for two vacant parcels at 36-38 Colonial Avenue to be developed into housing that produces more energy than it consumes.

• Boston Public Schools is hosting the Race to Recycle competition from May 1 - May 22. The Race to Recycle will measure school recycling improvements, and is a chance for schools to be rewarded for all their recycling efforts. Learn more at http://bostongreenschools.org/programs/recycling/.

• The Grove Hall, East Boston, and Mattapan branches of the Boston Public Library will once again be caring for and cultivating their seed libraries this spring through the fall, allowing local gardeners access to seeds, and preserving global plant diversity on a local scale.

• Since adding a recycling day in July 2014, recycling rates were up nearly 13%, or by 800 tons, in downtown neighborhoods.

• The Department of Neighborhood Development is making 3 new urban agriculture sites in Mattapan and Roxbury, totaling 34,203 square feet, available in Summer 2015.

• The Boston Parks and Recreation Department will be using goats again this year, to combat invasive plant species growing on their property. Exact dates and locations are forthcoming.

• In early April Mayor Walsh announced his support for the “Diesel and Vehicular Emissions Ordinance,” filed by City Councilor Stephen Murphy to help reduce harmful emissions from diesel vehicles and idling. The proposed ordinance requires all pre-2007 vehicles owned or leased by the City or used by its contractors to have been retrofit with more effective emission-reduction equipment. It also simplifies and unifies the authority for the City of Boston to enforce the current state-wide anti-idling laws in a consistent way.

• In 2015 the Boston Transportation Department expects to add its 100th mile of bike lane, and is planning to install two protected bike lanes on Mt Vernon Street in Dorchester and Commonwealth Avenue in Allston.

• Boston will have 90 Hubway stations located across the City this season.

Greenovate Boston will be hosting its second annual Community Summit this year on Saturday, June 6. The event will bring together over 500 Bostonians including city officials, residents, and the business and non-profit community to identify ways we can work together to implement the climate action plan. For more information, and to register, please visitSummit.GreenovateBoston.org.

Boston Arts Academy Touted as Educational Model

Boston Arts Academy Touted as Educational Model

Best-selling author lauds school for building curriculum around student’s interests to enhance student outcomes 

BOSTON --- Boston Arts Academy (BAA) is celebrated in a new book by New York Times best-selling author, Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D. and Lou Aronica. Robinson has given several TED talks about the importance of creativity in education, which have been seen by tens of millions of people worldwide - the most in the history of the TED program. 

Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That's Transforming Education is being released by Viking Press today, and is already being touted as the #1 new release in education on Amazon.com. The author devotes the first five pages of Chapter Eight to describing the BAA model as he captures the heart of Boston Arts Academy, the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts.  

Sir Ken states that "The Boston Arts Academy model substantiates what I've seen in all my work with schools around the world: building the curriculum around students' interests leads to them performing at higher levels in all areas."

“Boston Public Schools is a leader in urban education and Boston Arts Academy is a shining example of our innovations,” stated Boston School Committee Chairman Michael O’Neill. “Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized education expert and we are deeply honored that he has recognized BAA, and the amazing work they do, as a model for success.” 

“I could not be more proud of Boston Arts Academy and their efforts to build a top-notch educational experience for our scholar artists,” stated Interim Superintendent John McDonough. They have shown time and time again that they have developed not just a model that works, but staff and, as Sir Ken states, ‘leadership who are visionary and passionate’ about successful outcomes for students.”

Founded in 1998 and serving over 440 students from across the city, Boston Arts Academy is a full inclusion pilot school charged with being a beacon for artistic and academic innovation. The academic curricula prepare a diverse community of aspiring artist-scholars to be successful in their college or professional careers and to be engaged members of a democratic society.

In addition to specializing in one of five arts subject areas, each student’s schedule also incorporates a full college preparatory course load, including humanities, mathematics, science, and a foreign language. 94% of graduates are accepted to college annually.

 “This book affirms what all of us at BAA - including our generous supporters - have known all along.” stated Headmaster Ann Clark. “We are just so pleased to have national recognition for our work, none of which would be possible without the dedication and passion of our amazing staff, faculty and students.”

Sir Ken Robinson discussed BAA on CBS This Morning! BAA is mentioned starting at 4:28.