星期二, 5月 11, 2021
麻州政府讚許聯邦批准葡萄園島風電項目
Baker-Polito Administration Applauds Federal Approval of Vineyard Wind Project
Massachusetts to Launch U.S. Offshore Wind Industry with First Commercial-Scale Project in Nation
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today applauded the Record of Decision issued by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) granting approval to the Vineyard Wind project and concluding environmental review of the project through the National Environmental Policy Act. The key federal permitting approval allows Vineyard Wind to advance its Construction and Operations Plan to bring 800 Megawatts of cost-effective, renewable offshore wind power to Massachusetts ratepayers, enough energy to power 400,000 homes. Following the announcement, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides will join Vineyard Wind CEO Lars Pedersen at the Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown to celebrate the decision.
“Massachusetts should be proud that this decision launches the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project on the Commonwealth’s shores,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This groundbreaking project will produce affordable, renewable energy, create jobs and prove Massachusetts developed a successful model for developing offshore wind energy. We appreciate the federal government’s partnership to grant this approval and look forward to working with Vineyard Wind to create thousands of jobs and set the Commonwealth on a path to achieve Net Zero emissions.”
“Offshore wind represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities across Massachusetts, especially in the South Coast region, to pioneer this new clean energy industry in the U.S.,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Building this new industry will bring new jobs and economic development to cities and towns in the Commonwealth, while providing a significant clean energy resource that will save ratepayers money while helping to meet our ambitious climate goals.”
Through a competitive procurement process established in comprehensive energy legislation signed by Governor Baker in 2016, the Vineyard Wind project was selected in May 2018 to provide 800 MW of cost-effective renewable offshore wind power to Massachusetts. Following the selection of the Vineyard Wind project, a second competitive procurement process resulted in the selection of the Mayflower Wind project in October 2019. Together the two projects represent major steps in meeting the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates and growing the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy.
“Offshore wind is critical to meeting Massachusetts’ nation-leading commitment to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050, and today’s decision by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is a monumental step in our shared effort to take on the generational challenge of climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “With this key federal approval, the Vineyard Wind project is positioned to break ground as the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the U.S., and the Baker-Polito Administration will continue to build on its national climate leadership by ensuring that all residents benefit from the affordable clean energy and economic opportunities offered by this new American industry.”
“Today’s Record of Decision is not about the start of a single project, but the launch of a new industry,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen. “Receiving this final federal approval means the jobs, economic benefits and clean energy revolution that have been long talked about can finally come to fruition. It’s been a long road to get to this point, but ultimately, we are reaching the end of this process with the strongest possible project. I want to thank BOEM, the Department of Interior and the Biden Administration for their efforts in finalizing the review of this project. I also want to thank Governor Baker, the Massachusetts federal delegation and State Legislature for their steadfast commitment to seeing this endeavor through to today. And of course, I want to extend my sincerest appreciation to all our supporters and stakeholders for all of their work, input and dedication. We could not have reached this milestone without you.”
The 800 MW Vineyard Wind project will utilize 62 GE Haliade-X turbines, currently the world’s most powerful turbine with a capacity of 13 MW per machine utilizing wind blades spanning 107 meters. In November 2019, GE shipped a 107 meter Haliade-X blade to the Wind Technology Testing Center – the only facility of its kind in North America – for stress and durability testing that validated the technology can withstand more than 25 years of operation at sea, a key part of the technology development process.
“Cost-effective offshore wind energy plays a pivotal role in advancing the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote economic development, and ultimately meet our ambitious long-term climate goals,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “Today’s decision from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management marks a historic day for the country and Massachusetts and is the testament of the hard work of state and federal agencies over nearly a decade. Our leadership in offshore wind has established a new industry in the United States that has the opportunity to reduce emissions, boost our economy, and lower energy costs for our residents and businesses.”
“On behalf of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, I would like to congratulate Lars Pedersen and the entire Vineyard Wind team for today’s major milestone,” said Steve Pike, CEO of MassCEC. “We look forward to hosting Vineyard Wind at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal and continuing our mutual efforts to advance workforce and supply chain development as well as science, research and innovation for the Nation’s first commercial offshore wind farm.”
The Record of Decision concludes NEPA review by BOEM, outlining along with its final decision an approval of the project’s mitigation package. In response to extensive stakeholder engagement, including with the Massachusetts Fisheries Working Group, the Massachusetts Habitat Working Group, and other state and local entities, Vineyard Wind has agreed to provide millions of dollars to compensate Massachusetts and Rhode Island fishermen for potential loss of revenue and lost gear, and to enhance their ability to fish in and around the lease area. Vineyard Wind has also committed to continue funding pre- and-post construction survey studies with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) to measure any impacts to the marine environment.
To ensure that the project is developed in an environmentally responsible manner that protects and preserves marine wildlife, including the critically endangered North American Right Whale, Vineyard Wind will invest millions of dollars to develop and deploy innovative technologies and undertake scientific research to further safeguard marine mammals; institute comprehensive monitoring protocols to ensure that construction doesn’t take place when right whales are near the lease area; utilize acoustic monitoring technology throughout construction including in transit corridors, and employ trained protective species observers to spot right whales visually during transit and foundation installation.
In August 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the signing of lease agreements with Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind to utilize the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal as the primary staging and deployment base for the construction and installation of their offshore wind projects located in federal waters south of Martha’s Vineyard. The lease agreements commit the facility to full-time offshore wind work from 2023 into 2027 and are worth more than $32.5 million.
Constructed and operated by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal is a 29-acre heavy-lift facility and the first port in North America specifically purpose-built to support the staging and installation of offshore wind components.
On March 26, 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that increased the Administration’s authorization to solicit an additional 2,400 Megawatts of offshore wind, bringing the state’s total commitment to 5,600 Megawatts. On December 30, 2020, the Administration released two reports – the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) – that detail policies and strategies to equitably and cost-effectively reduce emissions and combat climate change. The 2050 Roadmap found that the most cost-effective, low-risk pathways to Net Zero share core elements, including a balanced clean energy portfolio anchored by a significant offshore wind resource, more interstate transmission, and widespread electrification of transportation and building heat.
On May 7, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration, in the third round of its offshore wind solicitation process, issued a Request for Proposals seeking up to 1,600 Megawatts of affordable, resilient clean energy. Bids are due on September 17, 2021, and a selection of project(s) will be announced by December 17, 2021.
美總統拜登和兩黨八州長網晤 查理貝克要全州7月4日時都打了疫苗
Governor Charlie Baker will virtually meet with President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of Governors about the successes and best practices of state COVID-19 vaccination programs.
波士頓慈濟慶佛誕 為眾生祈福
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| 波士頓慈濟團隊和嘉賓留影，右起游勝雄，吳建發，陳裕逢，波士頓僑教中心主任 潘昭榮，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，波士頓慈濟聯絡人長金滿，慈濟人文學校校長 彭淑敏，簡小芳，主持人謝宜芳(左一)。(周菊子攝) |
慈濟基金會在每年五月第二個星期天慶祝母親節，佛誕日和慈濟日，舉行三節合一的浴佛節。波士頓慈濟聯絡處今年由於新冠疫情稍緩，得以容許共約70人分批到牛頓市會所，現場參加浴佛節。
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| 波士頓慈濟人和嘉賓一同禮佛。(周菊子攝) |
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，這天應邀出席。他們倆人去年7月上任，但礙於新冠疫情，孫儉元處長這天還是第一次踏進波士頓慈濟會所。
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| 波士頓慈濟佛誕日活動，民眾出席禮佛。(周菊子攝) |
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| 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元(左一)，僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右一)應邀出席 波士頓慈濟聯絡處佛誕活動，與波士頓慈濟富負責人齊君明(右二起)，負責人長金滿， 慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏留影。(周菊子攝) |
慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處籲請有急需協助者和該處連絡，電話617-762-0569，電子郵件：TzuChiBoston@gmail.com。(更新版)
星期一, 5月 10, 2021
張聖儀參選北美台商聯合總會總會長
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| 張聖儀(前中)參選北美洲台灣商會聯合總會總會長，到波士頓請益。前排右起， 波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，波克萊台灣商會理事蘇鴻昌，顧問游勝雄，會長徐小玲， 財政郭競儒，秘書長陳玉瑛。(周菊子攝) |
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，當晚應邀出席，特地趁著新冠疫情稍緩，聚會禁令放寬的難得機會，頒發波士頓僑務委員證書，恭喜郭競儒上任。
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| 張聖儀請波克萊台灣商會支持。(周菊子攝) |
張聖儀今年參選第34屆北美洲台灣商會聯合總會會長，雖然將同額當選，但她非常認真，還是擬定了拜票「請益之旅」，繼4月份先和紐約台商會創會會長蔡仁泰聯絡，前往拜會後，五月第一站就來到波士頓，敦請有著18張選票的波克萊台灣商會，以及共有5張選票的新英格蘭台灣商會支持。
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| 張聖儀到訪波士頓，和經文處處長孫儉元夫婦合影。(周菊子攝) |
張聖儀的參選政見以「承先啟後，贏向未來」為主軸，既要保留台商會的優良傳統，也強調鼓勵傳承，將委任青年聯誼委員會，舉辦師徒講座，推行會務電子化，還要充分利用台積電到亞利桑那州設廠，有著百工百業需求等情勢，擴大台美加交流，帶出更多商機，並協助政府洽簽台美雙邊貿易協定，促成台美教育合作，為未來再創高峰。
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| 波士頓經文處處長孫儉元致詞。(周菊子攝) |
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| 張聖儀發表"承先啟後"的參選政見。(周菊子攝) |
張聖儀參與，迄今仍擔任的職務，也十根指頭都數不完，不但是2015年起，亞利桑那州聯邦眾議員Paul Gosar的亞裔諮詢委員會主席，2016年起的大鳳凰城台美商會會長，
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| 游勝雄稱許張聖儀(左)年輕有為。(周菊子攝) |
2016年，張聖儀獲僑委會遴選為全球26名台裔傑出女企業家，同年應邀返台晉見總統，還促成亞利桑那州錢德樂市副市長Jack Sellers率團訪問台灣，和時任台南市市長的台灣現任副總統賴清德簽約締結姊妹市。
波克萊台商會創會會長游勝雄看著年輕一輩出來爭取擔當重任，很是欣慰，會末開懷地和眾人一起舉手喊「凍蒜」。
星期日, 5月 09, 2021
摩頓市宣佈5/9-16為「台美人傳統週」
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| 麻州摩頓(Malden)市長Gary Christenson 宣佈2021年5月9號至16號為摩頓市的 「台美人傳統週」，鍾佳君代表收受證書。 (圖片取自臉書) |
Gary
Christenson在回覆本刊時表示，他認為支持摩頓市居民花時間和其他居民分享其本土特色，是很重要的，以台灣來說，代表了民主、自由與人權這概念。摩頓市會做此宣佈，是由該市居民鍾佳君(Chia-Chun
Chung)的推動。
鍾佳君在臉書上分享了這一喜訊。她感謝摩頓市長Gary Christenson撥冗和她們見面，進一步的了解了台灣及台美關係現況，以及「多年來對台灣、台美人群體及整個亞裔族群的關心和他的各種行動支持」。
由於五月份是美國的亞裔傳統月，有些人並不知道有「台美人傳統週」，鍾佳君也特地在臉書上貼出其歷史來龍去脈，說明1999年5月，美國首次慶祝了「台美人傳統週」，也從那年起，每年的母親節週末，都是「台美人傳統週」。
查詢「台美人傳統週」歷史，可上網www.taiwaneseamerican.org/2006/05/taiwanese-american-heritage-week。
波士頓公園天鵝船5/8起開放遊湖
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星期五, 5月 07, 2021
麻州亞美局推出小額獎助金 5/17截止申請
Applications due: Monday, May 17, 2021 @5PM EST
Go to our website to download the application:
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Eligibility and Criteria:
- Your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designated by the Internal Revenue Service or you are a small business located in Massachusetts with no more than 500 employees (or which meets the applicable size standard for the industry as provided by SBA’s existing regulations).
- Applicants must have the ability to work with low-income AAPI communities in the Commonwealth.
- Request amount should not be below $250 and not exceed $1,000.
Required Documents:
- Completed grant application.
- Your organization’s Letter of Determination (sent from the IRS confirming 501(c)3 status) or a copy of your Business Certificate (obtained from your city of operation).
- Your organization/business’ W-9 form (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf) have to be submitted with the grant proposal to be eligible.
- Please submit your completed application to yasmin.padamsee@aacommission.org
https://www.aacommission.org/aac-small-grant-fund/?fbclid=IwAR1uBf8JqhbMHrMimFUAWITESsX4xr_x1mXsmbQv5-ZfqbDl9WQc17BsQM4
5月10日起 麻州主題公園等戶外場所營運量可提高至50%
(Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府宣佈，5月10日起，列於第四階段開放的遊樂場，主題公園等戶外行業，將可以50%營運量重新開放，預定5月29日，8月1日會陸續有更進一步的開放。麻州政府將採取在公共衛生數據持續向好方向發展中，繼續重新開放麻州經濟。
3月22日時，麻州的重新開放腳步已進一步的放寬至第四階段。那以後，麻州的每日新增新冠病毒確診率下降了45%，住院率下降了23%，死亡人數也下降了69%，所有這些指標和今年年初相比，下降了約80%。麻州的施打新冠疫苗比率，在全美仍然名列前茅，已有390萬人完整地打了二劑或至少一劑疫苗。估計到6月初，麻州就可達到有400人完整接種了疫苗的目標。
5月10日起，麻州將重新開放某些戶外第四階段行業，包括樂園，主題公園，戶外水上樂園等，像麻州公共衛生廳遞交安全計畫後，營運量可增加至50%。
道路競賽，以及其他的大型戶外業餘或專業群集體育活動，可以向地方衛生局或麻州公共衛生廳遞交安全計畫後，在分批次，或有其他適當安全措施中舉行。
在第四階段第一步驟開放中，目前只能以12%的容納量經營的室內或戶外體育館，球場等大容量場所，營運容量將可增加到25%。
危險性中等或高的青年及成人業餘體育比賽，將獲准許舉行。
在表演場所，餐廳，活動場所及其他企業嚴格遵守距離要求下，可以室內演唱。
有藥鋪的雜貨店及零售店，應考慮撥出耆英專用時段，但不再規定必須如此做。
5月29日，週六起，還將有更多變動。
在公共衛生趨勢，以及疫苗接種數據持續向好發展下，5月29日時，將有更多行業獲准開放，聚會人數限制也將增加至室內200人，戶外250人
向地方衛生局遞交包括維持社交距離，員工人數及營運計畫，衛生及清潔規定及安全計畫後，將可獲准開放的行業包括，遊行，街頭慶典，以及農業節慶。
酒吧 ，啤酒花園，釀酒廠，酒廠及蒸餾商將依照餐館業規定，只可提供入座服務，限逗留90分鐘，不准設舞池。
視乎公共健康及疫苗數據，餐館業的食物必須和酒品一起出售這指導原則將取消，每桌人數限制也將提高為10人。
麻州已於上週放寬某些戶外場所的戴口罩規定，同時宣佈計畫8月1日進一步開放。 查詢更多詳情，可上政府官網mass.gov/reopening。
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Reopening of Additional Phase 4 Industries to Go Into Effect May 10th
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will move forward in the Commonwealth's reopening plan to reopen certain outdoor Phase 4 industries effective May 10th, as previously announced. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction.
On March 22, Massachusetts loosened restrictions and advanced to Phase IV of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. Since then, daily new COVID-19 cases have dropped by 45%, hospitalizations have dropped by 23%, and deaths have dropped by 69%. All these metrics have dropped by around 80% or more since the beginning of the year. The Commonwealth also remains a national leader in COVID-19 vaccinations, and over 3.9 million people are fully or partially vaccinated, and Massachusetts is on track to meet its goal of vaccinating over 4 million people by the beginning of June.
Effective Monday, May 10th:
The Commonwealth will reopen certain outdoor Phase 4 industries.
- Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.
- Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts and other appropriate safety measures after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.
Additionally, large capacity venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open at 12% capacity as part of Phase 4, Step 1 will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.
Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high-risk sports.
Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.
Grocery stores and retail stores with a pharmacy department should consider dedicated hours of operation for seniors, but will no longer be required to offer senior hours.
Additional Changes Anticipated to be Effective Saturday, May 29th:
Contingent on continued positive trends in the public health and vaccination data, on May 29th, additional sectors will be permitted to re-open and gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.
The additional sectors that will be permitted to open include:
- Parades, street festivals and agricultural festivals, after submitting safety plans to the local board of health including measures for maintaining social distance, staffing and operations plans and hygiene and cleaning protocols.
- Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, which will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.
Subject to public health and vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table size to 10.
Last week, the Administration also relaxed the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings and announced further reopening plans for August 1st.
For more information, visit mass.gov/reopening.大波士頓土地信託網慶成立五週年 持續努力爭取可負擔住宅
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| 大波士頓土地信託網在網上開會慶祝成立5週年。 |
波士頓華埠土地信託會成立於2015年，接著在2016年和其他地區的土地信託會攜手創立目前已有8個會員組織的「大波士頓土地信託網(Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network)」。
波士頓華埠土地信託會當初也是抱著穩定華埠未來，使之成為工人階層家庭及波士頓華人社區中心的這心意而成立的。
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| 波士頓華埠土地信託會主任駱理德。 |
波士頓華埠土地信託會在2018年和其他機構合作，成功推動波士頓市府通過條例，管制短期出租後，2019年收購兩棟排屋，為社區留住7戶可負擔住宅。
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| 華人前進會共同主席黃夏儀。 |
目前波士頓華埠土地信託會除了繼續關注收購華埠內土地，房屋機會，同時推出了「社區土地信託之家」計畫。亦即購買華埠土地信託會房屋者，在擁有住宅自時，也成為共管公寓(condo)協會成員，每月繳交租貸土地費給擁有土地的土地信託會，以確保土地及房屋供做可負擔住宅之用。「屋街29號公寓協會(29 Oak St. Strret Trust)」就是一個例子。
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| 慶祝會上解釋何謂土地信託會。 |
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