波士頓華商會慶新春(黃定國圖片輯)

黃定國圖片專輯

黃定國攝

黃定國攝

黃定國攝

黃定國攝

黃定國攝

黃定國攝

Mayor's Office Photo by John Wilcox

波士頓華商會首慶新春 17名董事浩蕩亮相

波士頓華埠商會慶新春，嘉賓雲集。波市警局第一區警長梅志強，波士頓洪門致公堂主席梅少華，(前排右起)薩福克郡地方檢察官候選人Greg Henning，波士頓安良工商會會長陳仕維，麻州眾議員麥家威，中華總會會長陳毓禮，波士頓華商會共同會長蔡倩婷，波士頓市長馬丁華殊，波士頓華商會共同會長陳文棟，波市警察局長伊凡斯，麻州參議員賓加利，駐波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，薩福克郡地方檢察官丹康利，費雪學院校長Alan Ray，波士頓市議員吳弭，波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)  波士頓華商會3月28日晚首度舉辦慶祝新春晚宴，在波士頓市長，麻州參眾議員，波士頓市議員等政要紛紛到賀中，近500人歌舞同歡，慶祝戊戌狗年，也在銧籌交錯中聯誼，交流如何兼顧經商與服務社區。

波士頓華商會會長陳文棟(中)向波士頓市長馬丁華殊(右)介紹
理事譚達兒。(周菊子攝)

               波士頓華商會成立已有20多年，直到近幾年才比較活躍。今年首度舉辦春宴，就有將近500人出席，盛極一時，波士頓市長馬丁華殊在離場前，還約波士頓華商會會長陳文棟餐敘，顯然波士頓華商漸正整合出影響力。

               這場盛會由譚達兒、陳文珊擔任司儀，在洪青體育會的金、紅兩頭瑞獅採青獻桔中拉開序幕。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(右三起)和波士頓華商會共同會長陳文棟，蔡倩婷
及一眾理事。左起，方嘉樺，黃國強。右起，梅宇，林汝蘭。(周菊子攝)

               到會嘉賓包括波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)，麻州參議員賓加利(Joe Boncore)，麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，波士頓警察局局長伊凡斯(William Evans)，波士頓警察局第一區隊長梅志強(Ken Fong)，波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)，愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉等人。

               已宣佈不再競選連任的薩福克郡地方檢察官丹康利(Daniel F. Conley)，這天也帶著他支持的候選人Greg Henning到會拜票。

波士頓警察同聚一桌。(周菊子攝)

               馬丁華殊在致詞時，稱許波士頓華商會的為社區服務，也藉機闡述自己的政績。他指出，波士頓華埠很特別的一點是商鋪入住使用率高達98%，這在美國任何其他社區都很少見，可見波士頓華埠商戶之成功。他也說明市政府在華埠投資建可負擔住宅，以容許居民留在社區內，還在州市議員協助下，把缺席60年的公共圖書館帶回了華埠，並翻修了大同公園。

               晚會中的一個特殊嘉賓是費雪學院(Fisher College)校長Alan Ray。他在今年三月把原任波士頓市長亞裔聯絡員的翁耀漢(Denny Ching)聘為校長特別助理。他在致詞時說明，費雪學院建校150年，一向致力於幫助年輕人生活得更好，去年該校學生中有39%是家中第一個上大學的人。他稱許中國人的勤奮美德，相信該校可和華人家長攜手，塑造其子女的未來。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(右)和麻州參議員賓加利(左)交換資訊。(周菊子攝)

               波士頓華商會會長陳文棟在致詞時語重心長。他感謝逾百名商家會員，讓該會陣容壯大，也希望來年有更多商戶加入，好讓該會發聲更有力量。他還報告該會做了不少幫助華埠商家改善經商環境的事，包括逢年過節，在街頭燈柱懸掛燈籠，旗幟，增加氣氛；和市府開會討論垃圾收集，處理等。尼倫街停車位一夕之間不見了的問題，他們也正在持續收集簽名，預定月底左右和波士頓市府開會，討論如何改善。

洪青體育會的兩頭瑞獅。(周菊子攝)

              在嘉賓雲集，各色致詞之外，波士頓華商會慶新春的節目也十分精采，既有世界旗袍聯合會波士頓分會的美女旗袍秀，也有曾燕琴這專業歌星，以及梅凱生，潘潔等人獻歌。

譚達兒(左)，陳文珊(右)擔任司儀。(周菊子攝)

                          波士頓華商會有會員逾百人，名譽會長陳毓禮，現任幹部七人，兩名共同會長，陳文棟，蔡倩婷，中文書記翁偉健，英文書記陳文珊，財政余麗媖，核數韓幼文，外交梅宇，陳李佩。董事十人，包括陳仕維，單鳳琴，黃國強，梅少華，王信武，林汝蘭，譚達兒，羅繁亮，曹品慈，方嘉樺等人。

   

費雪學院校長Alan Ray(左)介紹他新聘了翁耀漢(右)擔任他的
特別助理。(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長馬丁華殊稱許波士頓華商會對社區的貢獻。(周菊子攝)

            

波士頓市長馬丁華殊和波士頓華商會會長陳文棟已成好友。(周菊子攝)

左起，麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，波士頓華商會共同
會長陳文棟，蔡倩婷，麻州參議員賓加利(Joe Boncore)，以及兩名
華商理事梅宇，黃國強。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華商會一眾理事。右起，曹品慈，陳文珊，黃國強，梅少華，方嘉樺，陳李佩，羅繁亮，蔡倩婷，陳毓禮，陳文棟，余麗媖，韓幼文，梅宇，陳仕維，林汝蘭，單鳳琴，譚達兒，王信武。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華商會會長陳文棟，陳婷婷夫婦(後)和波士頓警察局局長伊凡斯
(前左)，第一區警長梅志強(前右)。(周菊子攝)

美女旗袍秀。(阮鴻燦攝)

波士頓公校2019會計年度預算11億美元

Boston School Committee Approves FY19 Boston Public Schools Budget

Unanimous Vote In Favor of $1.1 Billion Allocation

BOSTON — Thursday, March 29, 2018 — Last night, the Boston School Committee passed the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) Boston Public Schools (BPS) budget with a unanimous vote. The $1.109 billion BPS budget marks the largest in City history, and a $48 million increase over last year’s budget. “This budget is the largest in Boston’s history and represents an investment in our students, our schools, and education in Boston,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “We will always prioritize high-quality education for all our students, and this strong investment will help ensure our young people have the tools they need to succeed.” Mayor Walsh has increased the BPS budget by $170 million, or 18 percent, over the past five years. During the same time, BPS has continued to achieve its highest four-year high-school graduation rate and more high-ranking Level 1 and 2 schools than ever before. The FY19 budget features investments in individual school budgets, extended learning time, hiring effective teachers, supports for students experiencing homelessness, and an empowerment program for young men of color, among other vital supports. “I would like to thank my fellow Boston School Committee members for listening to public feedback and carefully deliberating before taking this important vote,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael Loconto. “The FY19 budget sustains our position as a national leader in urban public education and continues to increase supports for students who need them most.” The FY19 budget increases funding to individual schools by $40 million, which includes approximately $30 million toward higher teacher salaries and an additional $10 million in further investments.   Those additional investments are focused on the district’s highest-need schools and supporting schools in transition due to enrollment shifts. In the FY19 budget, no school will see a financial impact for the first one percent of an enrollment decline. In total, BPS has proposed dedicating $3.4 million to ensure smooth transitions for schools with fluctuating enrollments, including a $1 million reserve to support lower performing schools with declining enrollment.   Additionally, using a new formula that measures student need and is in adherence with the BPS Opportunity and Achievement Gaps Policy, BPS will be reallocating $5.8 million in external partnership funding to schools with our highest-need students. The district will also be providing an additional $3 million to schools to assist high-need students. “BPS students are the leaders of today and tomorrow,” said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. “The proposed budget for next year invests in programs and initiatives meant to support students’ growth, facilitate authentic learning experiences, and help them embark on a successful path in college, career, and life.” The increased funding from the City comes despite the Governor’s proposed budget that would decrease net state aid to Boston by $17 million. While Mayor Walsh has increased BPS' annual budget by $170 million since taking office, the state’s Chapter 70 funding has only increased by $8 million. The Commonwealth also continues to underfund charter school reimbursements for cities and towns, which under the Governor’s proposed budget translates into $27 million in lost funding in Boston in FY19 alone and more than $100 million over the last five years. The City is bridging this gap and contributing additional resources to strengthen BPS' efforts to provide each of its students a high-quality education in a 21st-century learning environment.  The approved budget will be submitted to the Boston City Council for final approval later this spring. Key Initiatives and Programs   Early Childhood Education: In the last five years, BPS and the City of Boston have increased participation in K1 (pre-K) programs by 725 students, for a total of 2,947 K1 students projected for FY19. BPS has invested $5 million into K1 expansion since 2014, totaling about $22.7 million for next year. BPS oversees a nationally recognized early childhood education program that is child-centric, highly developmental and is shown through research to lead to academic gains for several years, helping close the opportunity and achievement gap.   Extended Learning Time: In the past three years, 57 schools serving K-8 have extended the school day by 40 minutes, which is the equivalent of adding 20 school days per year. BPS is investing $17.4 million to maintain extended hours at these schools next year. Not only does the additional time allow students more opportunity to learn crucial 21stcentury skills, it provides them time for an array of enrichment opportunities — everything from art and woodworking to robotics and yoga — that research shows bring learning alive by making lessons more relevant for young people.   Effective Teachers: BPS strongly believes in ensuring high quality teachers are in every classroom. BPS is proud to offer competitive salaries for educators, making them among the highest paid in the country. Approximately $30 million in the FY19 budget will support higher salaries and an additional $8 million will fund benefits. BPS also invests in ongoing retention and training programs, such as the Lynch Leadership Academy, which has aspiring school leaders spend a year learning and leading with our best mentor principals in Boston. Over the past five years, BPS has transformed how teachers are attracted and retained to work for the district, ending a system in which teachers were hired by Central Office, and adopting a process called Early Mutual Consent Hiring, in which school principals, their hiring committees, and the candidates all agree on hiring decisions. Through this process, all hiring begins earlier in the year — typically in March — compared to the traditional school hiring season in June. This has allowed BPS to select from larger and more diverse pools of applicants.   Excellence for All: BPS is allocating $700,000 to grow the academic-enrichment program Excellence for All for the third year, serving 1,700 students in grades 4-6 at 16 schools and bringing the total allocation to $2.6 million. Excellence for All aims to match the high-quality rigor that many students receive in the Advanced Work Class (AWC) program in an inclusive setting that also provides for enrichment, such as foreign languages and robotics.   Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness: For the second year in a row, BPS is providing funding to individual schools to assist students who are experiencing homelessness. The amount will total $1.8 million, which is a $500,000 increase from last year. Schools have discretion over how the funding is used. Some schools have used the funds to hire support staff; while others have expanded clothing closets. The Edison K-8 School in Brighton used the funds to launch a weekend “boost bag” program, which allows students in need to receive a bag of supplemental food on Fridays.   Becoming a Man: Becoming a Man is a Chicago-based, nationally-recognized program that successfully serves young men of color using school-based group counseling and mentoring to teach valuable life skills. Boston Public Schools is the first district outside of Chicago to adopt this program, which research has shown increases school engagement, social-emotional skills, and graduation rates, while decreasing arrest rates. Now serving four schools in BPS due to a $600,000 philanthropic donation, Becoming a Man will receive an additional $549,000 in the FY19 BPS budget to expand to three more schools.

RAFAEL HERNANDEZ SCHOOL IN ROXBURY had a new playground

MAYOR WALSH, STUDENTS AND FACULTY CELEBRATE RIBBON CUTTING OF NEW PLAYGROUND AT RAFAEL HERNANDEZ SCHOOL IN ROXBURY

New addition to school after fundraising effort from former students

BOSTON - Thursday, March 29, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined students, faculty and staff of the Rafael Hernandez K-8 Dual Language School in Roxbury for a ribbon cutting celebration of their new playground. The playground features a new synthetic turf field, permeable paving that will reduce stormwater runoff, and site improvements for the benefit of all students at the school. The new playground is made possible thanks to students at the Rafael Hernandez School who advocated for a new schoolyard, built community support, conducted research, met with architects and brought their findings to the city. After meeting with students last April, Mayor Walsh announced that funding for the playground would be included in the city's Imagine Boston 2030 Capital Plan, which set aside $1.25 million for improvements to the playground. "I was inspired by the initiative students at the Hernandez School took in advocating for a better, more safe playground for all students to enjoy, and am proud that today we see their vision come to life," said Mayor Walsh. "These students had a big idea, and made it happen -- we're all proud of this great job done by our BPS students." As part of the project, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) helped install an outdoor classroom to teach students about drainage and how we can improve the health of the Charles River by sending cleaner water into our sewer systems. BWSC has invested $280,700 towards the project. "I am so proud of our students for learning how to collaborate with one another and advocate for positive change in their school community," said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. "Their efforts will not only make their playtime more fun, but it will benefit future students and the community for years to come." "It's been incredible to see our students, families, and teachers coming together to help make our school community better for everyone," said Hernandez School Principal Ana Tavares. "This was a truly collaborative effort and a positive lesson that will last a lifetime for these students." "The community deserves a wonderful playground. We turned this playground into our legacy, and we can look back in the next 15 years and reminisce about what we have accomplished, and how many future kids will be able to enjoy what we worked so hard to do," said student Lorraine Sanchez. For more information on the project, please visit here.

MAYOR WALSH TO HOST OPEN HOUSE IN ROXBURY

MAYOR WALSH TO HOST OPEN HOUSE IN ROXBURY

Open House being held to help people learn more about city services, capital projects and ongoing programs from the City of Boston

BOSTON - Thursday, March 29, 2018 - On Monday, April 23rd, Mayor Martin J. Walsh will host a City Hall Open House in Roxbury, inviting residents from all across Roxbury and other neighborhoods to learn more about city services, capital projects and ongoing programs from the City of Boston.  Representatives from various departments will be present including the Boston Planning and Development Agency, the Boston Transportation Department, the Public Works Department, the Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Health Commission, and the Office Economic Development and more will be in attendance to answer questions and share resources.  WHEN:     Monday, April 23, 2018                  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. WHERE:  BCYF Shelburne Community Center                  2730 Washington St., Roxbury WHO: Representatives from:  Assessing Department BOS:311 Boston Fire Department Boston Home Center Boston Housing Authority Boston Planning and Development Agency Boston Police Department Boston Public Health Commission Boston Public Schools Boston Transportation Department Department of Neighborhood Development Imagine Boston 2030 Inspectional Services Department Office for Immigrant Advancement Office of Fair Housing and Equity Office of Recovery Service Office of Small Business Development Office of Women's Advancement Parks and Recreation Department Public Works Department

Governor Baker Receives Habitat for Humanity American Dream Award

Governor Baker Receives Habitat for Humanity American Dream Award for Increasing Affordable Housing in Massachusetts

At this year’s Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston American Dream Awards Ceremony, Governor Baker was honored for his work to increase affordable housing options for low-income families.

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker received the American Dream Award from Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston in recognition of the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to create more affordable housing across the Commonwealth.

“Our administration is grateful for the tremendous work that groups like Habitat for Humanity are doing to help bridge the gap between housing demand and housing supply across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “While our administration appreciates this recognition, there is more work to do and I look forward to partnering with the Legislature, local officials and stakeholders to increase housing production in Massachusetts.”

In December, the Baker-Polito Administration unveiled a new Housing Choice Initiative and its accompanying legislation An Act to Promote Housing Choices, which aims to substantially increase and incentivize housing production across the Commonwealth with a goal of creating 135,000 new units by 2025. The administration has also filed a housing bond bill seeking $1.287 billion in additional capital authorization to support development, and is on course to invest $1.1 billion over five years in affordable housing.

科技部長陳良基與教育部次長姚立德主動出擊 攜手率團赴海外攬才

                         (Boston Orange)為延攬國外優秀學術研究人才加入臺灣科研行列，科技部陳良基部長將與教育部姚立德次長親自率團至美國，於當地時間4月1日至4月7日，分別在舊金山、洛杉磯、紐約、波士頓四個城市，舉辦四場海外攬才說明會，會中將針對科技部「年輕學者養成計畫」(包含愛因斯坦培植計畫與哥倫布計畫)，與教育部「玉山計畫」，向與會的研究學者與新聞媒體進行介紹，以吸引海外優秀學者返國或來臺服務。

                     本次海外攬才陣容堅強，除了陳部長良基與姚次長立德共同領軍外，另包含臺灣十一所頂尖國立大學校長或副校長、研發長，亦加入本次海外攬才的行列，堅定表達為臺灣求才留才的決心，也將為與會學者們提供面對面的交流機會。

                     科技部「年輕學者養成計畫」(Young Scholars Grant)提供相當優渥的補助誘因。其中「愛因斯坦培植計畫」(The Einstein Program)以跳躍思考、勇於創新、大膽逐夢為主軸，鼓勵研究者多元與自由地嘗試各種研究發想，發掘有潛力的新興議題進行探索。本計畫每年將提供50位補助名額，每人每年新臺幣500萬元的多年期計畫補助經費。

                    科技部「哥倫布計畫」(The Columbus Program)則以探索未知、放眼國際、追求卓越為方針，鼓勵研究者投入具有潛力的研究構想，建立跨領域合作團隊，或至國外的研究機構進行交流研究，增進國際視野及影響力，提高我國學者於國際學術社群的能見度。本計畫每年提供30位補助名額，每人每年新臺幣1,000萬元的多年期計畫補助經費。

                    教育部「玉山計畫」(Yushan Project)之「玉山學者方案」，目的在協助各大專校院延攬國際頂尖人才，藉由提供符合國際競爭之薪資待遇，吸引國際人才來臺任教。延攬對象分為「玉山學者」及「玉山青年學者」，經由學校延攬後由聘任學校提出申請。教育部姚次長表示，希望透過此次攬才活動，吸引美國學人來臺任教，促進參與攬才的大學校長親自與國際學者交流互動，並具體說明學校提供優惠措施，增進人才延攬的機會。教育部預計每年將提供100名玉山學者供各校申請，若各校將獲得的玉山學者名額改聘為玉山青年學者，則可以1比3的比例聘任。

                  「玉山學者」須具10年以上任職於國際一流學術研究機構或知名公司經驗或於所屬學術領域具卓越貢獻，獲選玉山學者除由聘任學校提供本薪外，教育部每年外加薪資最高新臺幣500萬元，ㄧ次核給3年；「玉山青年學者」須符合取得最高學歷十年內，並具有優異產業界工作經驗或學術經歷，除本薪外，教育部每年外加最高新臺幣150萬元薪資，ㄧ次核給5年。教育部將提供每年至多150萬元的行政支援費用，供其聘任祕書或助理，協助其行政工作。

                     陳良基部長表示，此刻正值臺灣科技發展的關鍵時刻，唯有透過長期且充分的研究資源，並鼓勵年輕學者大膽探索、發揮想像力，才能促使我國科學研究產生突破式的創新，讓我國學者在國際學術社群間，取得足夠發言權及影響力，長期而言，對臺灣學術發展有正面的效益。期望透過此次大規模的攬才活動，召募全球優秀年輕人才為臺灣效力，建構充滿無限潛能與創造力的科技臺灣大未來。

              有關「科技部與教育部海外攬才說明會」的詳細內容，請參考以下官網資訊：

第一場  科技部與教育部海外攬才說明會（舊金山場）

日期：107年4月1日(星期日) 下午14:00~17:00

地點：舊金山(Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront)

網址：https://goo.gl/NWZNLN

第二場  科技部與教育部海外攬才說明會（洛杉磯場）

日期：107年4月3日(星期二) 下午17:00~20:00

地點：洛杉磯(CNSI Auditorium, UCLA)

網址：https://goo.gl/tu7w1s

第三場  科技部與教育部海外攬才說明會（紐約場）

日期：107年4月5日(星期四) 晚上18:30~21:30

地點：紐約(Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York)

網址：https://goo.gl/94Uiie

第四場  科技部與教育部海外攬才說明會（波士頓場）

日期：107年4月7日(星期六) 早上09:00~12:00

地點：波士頓(MIT Sloan School of Management Building)

網址：https://goo.gl/xLK7L3

(文稿由駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處提供)

AG HEALEY CALLS FOR SHUT DOWN OF INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL COMPETITIVE SUPPLY INDUSTRY TO PROTECT ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS

AG HEALEY CALLS FOR SHUT DOWN OF INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL COMPETITIVE SUPPLY INDUSTRY TO PROTECT ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS

Two-Year Study by AG’s Office Shows Competitive Supply Customers Paid $176.8 Million More; Companies Appear to Have Targeted Low-Income, Minority Neighborhoods in Gateway Cities

BOSTON – Citing aggressive sales tactics, false promises of cheaper electric bills and the targeting of low-income, elderly, and minority residents, Attorney General Maura Healey today issued a report calling for an end to the competitive electricity supply market for individual residential customers in Massachusetts.

AG Healey made the announcement today standing with Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, along with consumer and civil rights advocates. The report found that Massachusetts electric customers who switched to a competitive electric supplier paid $176.8 million more than if they had stayed with their utility company during the two-year period from July 2015 to June 2017.

“Competitive electric suppliers promise big energy savings but are actually burdening customers with hundreds of dollars in extra costs,” said AG Healey. “In two years, Massachusetts residents lost over $176 million to these predatory companies. I’m calling for an end to this industry because that’s the best way to protect our seniors, low-income residents, and minority communities from these persistent scams.”

According to the AG’s report, nearly 500,000 residents in the state receive their electricity from a competitive supplier, but certain communities are particularly hard hit. The report found that 36 percent of low-income households received their electricity from a competitive supplier, double the rate among other customers. The study found that competitive suppliers appear to have targeted low-income and minority residents in many of the state’s gateway cities including Worcester, Springfield, Brockton, Lynn, Lowell, Lawrence, Fall River, Quincy and New Bedford. Participation was greatest in zip codes with the highest percentage of low-income and minority populations.

“Door-to-door competitive electric suppliers have been such a problem in our city that the Quincy Police Department has issued warnings to the public,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch. “For too long, these companies have sold Quincy residents, particularly seniors, a bill of goods. I am proud to join with Attorney General in an effort to stop these scammers.”

“The competitive market for electricity was supposed to lower prices for households in Massachusetts, but for years it has done the opposite," said Jenifer Bosco, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center in Boston. “As the Massachusetts Attorney General has documented in this report, millions of dollars in overcharges have been picked from the pockets of Massachusetts families, especially low-income families, as the result of this failed deregulatory experiment. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and our Legislature should act now to protect Massachusetts families from further financial harm."

“For far too long, these energy companies have been preying on the city’s vulnerable residents. They send door-to-door salespeople that take advantage of our elderly and non-English speaking residents and sign them up for costly contracts that rob them of hundreds of dollars,” said Marci Pina-Christian, Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission & Human Services Coordinator for City of New Bedford’s Department of Community Services and Executive Board Member of the New Bedford NAACP. “We stand with the Attorney General in her efforts to stop this scam practice.”

In Massachusetts, residential customers, like commercial and industrial customers, can “shop around” for electricity rates. Customers can choose to get their electric supply from their utility – National Grid or Unitil or Eversource – or from a “competitive supplier.” When customers do not choose a supplier, they receive "basic service" electricity from their utility.  The utilities buy basic service electricity in bulk through a competitive bidding process. Utilities pass the wholesale cost of basic service to customers and are not allowed to earn any profit from basic service rates. Under state law, the Department of Public Utilities reviews utilities' basic service rates but does not review the rates charged to residential customers by competitive suppliers. 

The AG's report found that the average low-income customer enrolled with a competitive supplier paid $231 more than if the customer was receiving their electricity from their utility company. The report found some low-income households lost more than $541 by switching to a competitive supplier.

In the last three years, the AG’s Office has received more than 700 complaints about competitive suppliers engaging in aggressive and deceptive tactics. Complaints include suppliers pretending to be a utility company to induce customers to turn over sensitive information; suppliers harassing customers with repeated calls or home visits; and door-to-door salespeople forcing their way into elderly customers’ homes and refusing to leave without a signed contract. 

As a follow on to the study, the AG’s Office will work with the Legislature, the Department of Public Utilities, the energy industry and civil rights and consumer advocates to close down the market for individual residential competitive electric supply in Massachusetts. The AG's Office does not propose any changes to Massachusetts cities’ and towns' municipal aggregation programs or the markets for commercial and industrial competitive supply.

            Today’s announcement is part of the AG’s ongoing efforts to address unfair and deceptive practices in the competitive electricity supply market, including ongoing investigations into third-party suppliers who violate the state’s consumer protection laws.

Earlier this week, AG Healey announced a $5 million settlement with Viridian Energy, LLC for deceptive marketing and sales tactics that misled residents into contracts with high electric supply rates. The settlement requires the company to pay $4.6 million in restitution to affected customers and an additional $400,000 to the state’s general fund, to offset the cost of the investigation, and to fund future enforcement actions by the AG’s Office against deceptive electric suppliers.

In December 2014, Just Energy agreed to pay $4 million in restitution to over 40,0000 consumers for deceptive marketing and sales, entering consumers into agreements without their consent, and charging costly termination fees.

Any consumer or retailer with concerns about these deceptive marketing practices should file a complaint with the AG’s Office or call the consumer hotline at (617) 727-8400. Consumers with questions can also contact the Consumer Division of the Department of Public Utilities at (877) 886-5066. 

The AG’s report was prepared by the Susan M. Baldwin Consulting firm.

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Elizabeth Anderson, Joseph Dorfler, Alexander Early, and Elizabeth Mahony, and Deputy Division Chief Nathan Forster, Division Chief Rebecca Tepper, and all of AG Healey’s Energy & Telecommunications Division, along with Energy and Environment Bureau Chief Melissa Hoffer.