道富集團執行長 Ronald P. O’Hanley 7/1 任波士頓商會董事會主席

 Boston Chamber of Commerce Announces Ronald P. O’Hanley,

Chairman & CEO of State Street, as incoming Chair of Board of Directors 

BOSTON, MA –The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”) is proud to announce the new Chair of the Board of Directors, Ronald P. O’Hanley, Chairman & CEO of State Street, who will begin his term on July 1, 2022. O’Hanley follows Micho F. Spring, Chief Reputation Officer at Weber Shandwick, who served as Chair of the Board of Directors from 2020 to 2022. The Chamber celebrates and applauds the extensive leadership of Spring, who envisioned and successfully established the Chamber’s Higher Education Leadership Council, a public call to action for Board Diversity, and served as the leading business community voice during the City of Boston’s mayoral transition.

 

The Board Chair, in partnership with James E. Rooney, the Chamber’s President & CEO, convenes and leads the region’s most influential leaders that are committed to the Chamber’s mission to make Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive.

 

In addition to the incoming Board Chair, the Chamber is proud to announce the Vice Chairs and Treasurer of the Board:

 

• Vice Chair: Dr. Anne Klibanski, President and CEO, Mass General Brigham
• Vice Chair: Jerry Sargent, President, Citizens Bank
• Vice Chair: Corey Thomas, Chairman and CEO, Rapid7
• Vice Chair: Pallavi Verma, Senior Managing Director, Accenture
• Treasurer: David Foss, Managing Partner, Northeast PwC

 

“It is an honor to begin my term as Board Chair at the Chamber. We will continue the great work of the previous Board Chairs, including my predecessor Micho Spring. In partnership with Jim, Micho not only launched a new leadership council and prioritized equity, she also elevated the reputation of the Chamber, further solidifying the Chamber as the voice of the business community. I applaud her robust efforts and transformative leadership. I also applaud, Jim Rooney, and his continued success in elevating business leadership at the local and national level. I look forward to working with Jim and the Board to influence and define the future of the Commonwealth,“ said Ronald O’Hanley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of State Street.

 

“During a time of immense challenges, including the height of the pandemic, economic shifts, the most recent racial reckoning, international conflicts, and challenges to gender equity, the Board quickly responded, pivoted and found opportunities to lead and support businesses and people throughout the Commonwealth. Together, the Board, the Chamber team, and the business community worked purposefully to ensure a more equitable future for the people and families that are living and working in Massachusetts. Now is the perfect time for a leader of Ron O’Hanley’s stature to take the reigns,“ said Micho F. Spring, Chief Reputation Officer, Weber Shandwick.

 

“Thank you to Micho Spring, my friend and colleague, for her vision and leadership of the Board during the challenges of the pandemic, the most recent racial reckoning, and the economic shifts that followed. With Micho’s vision, the Chamber and the business community are ready to tackle the next chapter as a united business voice,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “I am grateful that Ron has agreed to serve as our next Chair – his expertise will be invaluable for the future of the Chamber. The future of commerce and our competitiveness as a state, the future of our downtowns, and the future of the office are critical issues that demand solutions, and I know that Ron will be an excellent partner as the Chamber delivers solutions.”

 

Ron brings to the role of Board Chair expertise and a demonstrated track record, including efforts to advance climate, corporate governance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. He holds national and international leadership roles at Unum Corp., the International Business Council, Institute for International Finance, Focusing Capital on the Long Term, the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, and the Vatican Summit on the Just Transition with Notre Dame University. He also serves on the Federal Reserve’s Federal Advisory Council.

 

To learn more about the Chamber’s Board of Directors, visit the website for the Board of Directors. 

AG HEALEY ISSUES STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION IN ‘REMAIN IN MEXICO’ CASE

AG HEALEY ISSUES STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION IN ‘REMAIN IN MEXICO’ CASE 

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Biden v. Texas case, ultimately ruling in favor of the Biden Administration’s decision to end the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy which had effectively halted the asylum process at the southern border. 

 

“Many immigrants turn to this country for refuge, safety, and the chance to seek a better life for themselves and their families. Today’s decision is a win for all of us, and in particular for our refugee and immigrant communities who deserve, at the very least, the opportunity to make their claims for asylum and be treated with fairness and dignity.” 

波士頓新公校總監出爐 Mary Skipper訂8月上任

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu，右)於6月30日一早在波士頓科技學校門前為新任
波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper舉行記者會。(周菊子攝) 

           (Boston Orange 編譯) 下一任波士頓公校總監今 (29) 晚出爐了。波士頓學校委員會以4比3票，選出尚莫維爾市的公校總監Mary Skipper接任。

              波士頓市是個有學生4萬9000名的大學區，昨天才更剛和麻州中小學教育廳達成協議，州政府暫停接管波士頓市公校。波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會日前公佈，將於今晚的委員會例會中做出2選1的最後決定。另一名候選人為波士頓市的現任區域總監Tommy Welch。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)邀集多名波士頓學校委員會委員，以及相關人士出席記者會，
彰顯各界對Mary Skipper的支持。(周菊子攝)

              Skipper現年55歲，曾在波士頓拉丁學院 (Boston Latin Academy)交拉丁文，之後在波士頓公校體系內一路晉升，歷任校長，監管30多所高中的學區行政主管，從2015年起，她擔任學生約4700人的尚莫維爾市公校總監。

             Skipper在帶領學校創新上，已奠定名聲，大約10年前，奧巴馬總統 (Barack Obama) 在她當校長的TechBoston學院發表演講，稱該校為全美模範。

              Mary Skipper表示，在她看來，老師有如學生父母的替身，在她的生命中曾有重要分量，也因此她覺得教書是她必須做的事。

Mary Skipper。 (圖片來自尚莫維爾公校網站)

              週三晚上出席學校委員會的民眾，對2名入圍候選人的支持度不相上下，但支持Mary Skipper的人稍多些，另外一些人則要求延期投票，重新搜尋，而且要納入更多有色人種進入候選行列。

                         在Mary Skipper八月底接任之前，波士頓公校學術副總監Drew Echelson將暫時代理波士頓市公校總監一 職。

圖片來自推特。

                               波士頓前鋒報稱，波士頓學校委員會投票時，有至少3個團體表達了不同意見，「波士頓學校事實 (SchoolFacts Boston) 」這個團體支持Tommy Welch，認為他對波士頓公校了解較深，而且有急迫感。「波士頓教育正義聯盟(Boston Education Justice Alliance) 」則對搜尋新任公校總監的過程，抱持不信任態度，認為波士頓市需要對大學區有更豐富經驗的人。「波士頓教育平等聯盟 (Boston Coalition for Education Equity) 」認為，既然麻州教育局局長 Tommy Riley不再建議麻州中小學教育委員會把波士頓市公校列為表現不佳學區，就可以展延搜尋新任公校總監的流程。

              波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)今年2月和現任波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius達成協議，Cassellius將於6月30日卸任後，波士頓市斥資7萬5千元，聘請了一個主管搜尋公司來執行尋覓適當人選工作，另外還指派了一個包括邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔在內的9人顧問委員會，來審核共34名申請者。 (更新版)

PROPERTY OWNER TO PAY FOR CLEANUP COSTS FOLLOWING HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPLOSION IN SHREWSBURY BACKYARD

PROPERTY OWNER TO PAY FOR CLEANUP COSTS FOLLOWING HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPLOSION IN SHREWSBURY BACKYARD  

 

            BOSTON — A Shrewsbury resident has agreed to pay $120,000 to reimburse the state for the cost of responding to a 2016 explosion and fire caused when his contractor demolished a backyard shed at his residential property, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The explosion and fire released hazardous chemicals and fumes, causing workers and a neighbor to develop respiratory problems. 

The consent judgment, entered in Suffolk Superior Court today, resolves a lawsuit the AG’s Office filed in April 2019 against the property’s owner, Edgar Muntz, Jr., a realty trust he owns and manages, 393 Oak Street Realty Trust, and his demolition contractor, P&M Asphalt Services, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants violated the state’s hazardous materials laws when P&M Asphalt Services, Inc., hired by Muntz, demolished the backyard shed, which was filled with hundreds of containers of dangerous chemicals, including dynamite, mercury, arsenic, chloroform, and sodium cyanide. The dangerous chemicals were released into the air and soil when the shed burst into flames during the demolition, and the AG’s Office alleges that, in further violation of state law, the defendants failed to report the explosion or contamination to state authorities.  

            

“These defendants ignored our state’s important environmental protection laws and exposed workers and nearby residents to hazardous materials,” said AG Healey. “Today’s settlement ensures that our taxpayers won’t foot the bill for these dangerous  actions and should deter others from such reckless conduct.” 

 

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) responded to the scene and took remedial action to clean up the hazardous materials after a neighbor notified the department and other state and local agencies. 

 “This case shows that when responsible parties fail to respond to a significant release of hazardous materials, MassDEP will, as appropriate, step in to protect human health and the environment,” said MaryJude Pigsley, Director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “MassDEP will also, with its partners at the Attorney General’s Office, work diligently to recover the Commonwealth’s costs from the responsible parties. MassDEP now looks forward to seeing the responsible parties take remaining needed response actions pursuant to the court-approved consent judgment.” 

In 2020, the AG’s Office obtained a separate $120,000 payment as part of a settlement with the demolition contractor. 

 

Today’s settlement money will go toward reimbursing the state for the cost MassDEP incurred when it assessed, contained, and removed the hazardous material from the property. As part of the settlement, Muntz must also complete certain remaining remediation activities at the property.   

 

 This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Tracy Triplett of AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division, with assistance from AG Healey’s Investigations Division, along with MassDEP’s Lucas Rogers, Chief Counsel in the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, Rhonda Russian, Senior Enforcement Counsel, and Bernadette Hayes, Enforcement Counsel, as well as Mark Baldi, Kevin Daoust, Jason Ward and Marc Collins of MassDEP’s Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup. 

美國洪門致公總堂總理出巡 波士頓洪門擬增派一名中華公所董事

美國洪門致公總堂總理出巡，到訪波士頓合影。後右起，阮偉昌，湯偉立，阮振強，李偉強，伍伯和，李志聯，余麗媖，陳光劍，梅少華，
鄺炎彬。前排右二為洪青會長周志強。 (周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 美國洪門致公總堂的年度總理出巡，今年從互相拜會開始。駐在地為紐約的現任總理李志聯，上週末與元老李偉強聯袂來到波士頓，拜會該堂首名女總理余麗媖，以及波士頓的同門兄弟。余麗媖訂下週回訪紐約。

余麗媖與李志聯這2名總理，隨後將聯袂陸續辦訪巴爾的摩，芝加哥，華府，克里夫蘭，費城等洪門其他堂口。

洪門總理到訪波士頓時，正好遇上余麗媖忙於「台灣夜市」活動，抽空安排在新月宮設宴洗塵，次日又逢紐英崙至孝篤親公所設宴慶祝宗親陳孔恩榮升波士頓警察局社區參與總監，獲至孝篤親元老陳仕維邀請，也往帝苑大酒樓同慶，和洪青體育會的後輩們也都見了面。

美國洪門致公總堂16種職務，共有65名職員，其中來自大波士頓本地的有7人，包括總理余麗媖，盟長謝仲安，元老伍伯和，專員司徒彥鏗 (今年辭世)，顧問余共才，總外交專員陳光劍，外交專員鄺國添。

洪門和安良同是波士頓市內歷史最悠久，成立已逾百年的華人組織，但在紐英崙中華公所董事大會中，安良有2席董事位，洪門只有一席。中華公所5月底召開本年度第3次董事大會時，洪門已遞出文件，正式申請增派一名董事。

波士頓洪門指出，該堂歷來人才輩出，歷屆紐英崙中華公所主席中，就有多人為洪門兄弟，包括黃培潤，司徒彥鏗，黃毓興，黃述沾，黃國威，何遠光等人。近年會員人數增加，為加強該堂服務僑社能量，他們希望能增派一名董事進入紐英崙中華公所的董事大會。

波士頓洪門2022年度職員，在任職總堂的總理余麗媖，元老伍伯和，監堂阮振強之外，主席為湯偉立，梅少華，秘書翁偉健，財政葉偉綱，外交伍少武，鄺炎彬，理財黎亦置，核數胡振勝，康樂陳國航，幹事鄧安，洪青會長林向榮、周志強。

Governor Baker Nominates Attorneys Jason Yu-Ting Chan and Nicole A. Colby Longton as Associate Justices of the District Court

 Governor Baker Nominates Attorneys Jason Yu-Ting Chan and Nicole A. Colby Longton as Associate Justices of the District Court

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Baker nominated Attorneys Jason Yu-Ting Chan and Nicole A. Colby Longton as Associate Justices of the District Court.

 

“With the addition of Attorneys Jason Yu-Ting Chan and Nicole A. Colby Longton as Associate Justices of the District Court, Massachusetts will receive two candidates well-suited for the judiciary,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to submit their nominations for consideration.”

 

“Attorneys Chan and Longton both possess years of courtroom experience and extensive community service that makes them well-qualified candidates for the District Court,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am pleased to submit these nominations to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent.”

 

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.

 

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.

 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

 

About Jason Yu-Ting Chan

 

Jason Yu-Ting Chan began his legal career in 2007 as an Assistant District Attorney at the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, where, until 2009, he tried over 50 cases as a prosecutor. Since 2013, Attorney Chan has worked at Seed, Chan and Associates, LLC., as an attorney and partner, practicing criminal defense in state and federal court. Attorney Chan is also an active member of the community, serving on the boards of the OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates of New England, the Asian American Lawyers of Massachusetts and the Kwong Kow Chinese School. He has also volunteered with the AAPI Civil Rights Conference as well as the Boston University Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. Attorney Chan received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 2000 and his Juris Doctorate from New England Law School in 2007.

 

About Nicole A. Colby Longton

Nicole A. Colby Longton began her legal career in 2002 as a legal intern with the Drug Task Force in the United States Attorney’s Office. After graduating law school, Attorney Longton then joined McDermott, Will and Emery as an associate in the trial department. Since 2009, Attorney Longton has owned Longton Law Office, where she focuses on criminal defense, personal injury and business litigation. Attorney Longton is also an active member of the community, working with Girls on the Run, Life Skills Inc., Yarock Memorial Housing and the Worcester County Toy Drive. She has also worked with the American Moot Court Association and is a member of the Holy Cross Lawyers’ Association. Attorney Longton received her bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 2000 and her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 2003.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Additional $7 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Efforts

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Additional $7 Million for

COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Efforts

 

Funding supports ongoing efforts to increase awareness and access to vaccines in communities hardest hit by the pandemic

 

BOSTON (June 29, 2022) – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced an additional $7 million in funding to support organizations working in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is a component of the Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness and access to the COVID-19 vaccine and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. The latest grants are part of the Administration’s investments of over $58 million to promote vaccine access and confidence, primarily in communities of color.

 

The grants are the result of budget appropriations from the Massachusetts Legislature, building on the state’s investment to increase vaccine awareness and acceptance. These funds support community organizations to continue the work of reducing barriers to vaccine access and promoting vaccines and boosters for communities and populations most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

 

“Throughout the pandemic, we have turned to trusted community-based organizations who know their communities best,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “They continue to tap their knowledge and relationships to expand and support our Vaccine Equity Initiative by addressing the unique health equity needs of the populations they serve – needs that continue to be exacerbated by COVID-19.”

 

$5.9 million has been awarded to 72 community- and faith-based organizations, including five Tribal and Indigenous People-serving organizations, in partnership with Health Resources in Action (HRiA).

 

The organizations will provide culturally appropriate outreach and education on COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation and will host and promote vaccine clinics for priority populations most impacted by COVID-19. Funded organizations will engage families and children for pediatric vaccinations and boosters.

 

HRiA will also engage in a new partnership with Health Care for All (HCFA), which received close to $1 million of the new funding to conduct tailored community outreach in communities most impacted by COVID-19. This amount includes $415,000 to fund seven additional community- and faith-based organizations.

 

Award Recipients for Community Outreach and Education (HRiA) ($5.9 million total)

Grant size: $38,500 - $125,000 per organization

 

• African Community Education Program, Worcester
• African Cultural Services, Inc., Waltham
• Asian American Civic Association, Boston
• Asian Women for Health, Boston
• Asociacion Ministerial Evangelica Del Area de Lawrence, Lawrence
• Autism Sprinter, Randolph
• Black Springfield COVID-19 Coalition, Springfield
• Black Boston COVID-19 Coalition, Boston
• BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for the Integration of Diverse Groups and Education), Lee
• Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., (BAMSI) Brockton
• Building Audacity, Lynn
• Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell (CMAA), Lowell
• Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, New Bedford (TIPSO)
• Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF), Lawrence
• Chappaquiddick Tribe of the Wampanoag Indian Nation Corporation, Edgartown
• Chelsea Black Community, Chelsea
• Chica Project, Boston
• Chinese Culture Connection, Inc., Malden
• Coalition for a Better Acre, Lowell
• Community Economic Development Center, New Bedford
• DEAF, Inc., Allston
• Dwelling House of Hope, Inc., Lowell
• Extreme Kid Inc. (Fiscal sponsor: New North Citizens’ Council), Springfield
• Fishing Partnership, New Bedford
• Greater Framingham Community Church, Framingham
• Greater Lowell Health Alliance, Lowell
• GreenRoots, Chelsea
• Haitian Community Partners, Brockton
• Haitian Health Institute, Boston
• Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Plymouth (TIPSO)
• Immigrants Assistance Center, New Bedford
• JAHAN Women and Youth Intercultural, Boston
• Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, Framingham
• La Colaborativa/Chelsea Collaborative, Chelsea
• Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts, Everett
• Leaving the Streets Ministries, Inc, Haverhill
• Love Your Menses, Boston
• Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health (MassCOSH), Boston
• Massachusetts Council of Churches, Boston
• MOCHA (Fiscal sponsor: YMCA of Greater Springfield), Springfield
• New American Association of Massachusetts, Lynn
• New Life Community Empowerment Center, Brockton
• New North Citizens’ Council, Springfield
• Next Leadership Development, Boston
• Nigerian American Multi-Service Association (NAMSA), Shrewsbury
• North American Indian Center of Boston, Boston
• Ohketeau Cultural Center, Ashfield
• OneHolyoke CDC, Holyoke
• People Affecting Community Change (PACC Global), Boston
• Pinnacle Partnerships Corp, Brockton
• Pioneer Valley Project, Springfield
• Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Northampton
• Randolph Community Partnership, Randolph
• Sarepta Women and Children Empowerment Center/Synergy Partnership, Taunton
• Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE), Everett
• South Asian Workers' Center, Boston
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Worcester
• Spanish American Center, Leominster
• Springfield Boys and Girls Club, Springfield
• The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative Project, Inc., Quincy
• The Boston Project Ministries, Dorchester
• The Center for Hope and Healing, Lowell
• The Everett Haitian Community Center, Everett
• The Joint Committee for Children's Health Care, Everett
• The Latino Health Insurance Program, Inc., Framingham
• The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Lynn
• UHAI for Health, INC, Worcester
• Who's Got Morale, Roxbury
• Women Encouraging Empowerment Inc., Revere
• Worcester Interfaith, Worcester
• YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston
• YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts, New Bedford

 

Award Recipients for Tailored Community Outreach (HCFA) ($415,000 total)

Grant size: $52,000 - $77,000 per organization 

• ACEDONE: African Community Economic Development of New England
• Authentic Caribbean Foundation: Boston, Brockton, Mattapan, Worcester, and Springfield
• Brazilian American Center: Framingham
• Making Opportunity Count: Fitchburg and Leominster
• NewVue: Fitchburg and Leominster
• The Learning Center for the Deaf: Framingham
• True Alliance Center: Mattapan, Brockton, and Randolph

AG HEALEY LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR CUSTOMERS SEEKING HELP WITH THIS SUMMER’S RECORD HIGH ELECTRICITY RATES

 AG HEALEY LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR CUSTOMERS SEEKING HELP WITH THIS SUMMER’S RECORD HIGH ELECTRICITY RATES

Monthly Bills Expected to Increase Significantly over Last Year; AG’s Office Working with Organizations to Raise Awareness About Available Assistance

 

              BOSTON – With electricity rates set to soar to record high prices this summer, Attorney General Maura Healey today launched a campaign to educate customers across the state about the programs available to help them reduce their energy usage and lower their bills.

 

            Inflation, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and other factors are driving up fossil fuel prices and in turn energy rates for customers across the country this summer. Starting July 1, Eversource basic service rates in the company’s eastern division will rise to 17.871 cents/kWh – a more than 30 percent increase on a monthly bill in comparison to last summer’s rates of 10.753 cents/kWh. With this new rate residential Eversource basic service electric customers with average usage will see their monthly bill jump to $212.15 from $160.29 last summer. Customers with Eversource’s western division or other utilities should also expect to see a smaller but still significant increase to their bills over last summer. As part of this new education campaign, the AG’s Office is working with service organizations and municipalities across the state to educate customers on the new rates and the available financial assistance programs. The campaign will include multilingual radio PSAs, multilingual flyers, an updated website, as well as trainings and webinars.

 

            “As temperatures rise this summer, so will your monthly bills. We want families who are worried about paying their monthly bills to know that help is available to manage these record high energy rates,” said AG Healey. “My office will continue to be a resource for customers looking for guidance on lowering energy usage and ways to cut down on costs in the coming months.”    

Lower your energy usage

The AG’s Office recommends that customers consider contacting Mass Save for an energy efficiency audit to see how they can reduce their overall energy use, which should result in lower monthly utility bills over time. Customers can also lower their bill by adjusting their air conditioner setting, either manually or by installing a programmable thermostat – for every degree higher, the unit will use 1 to 3 percent less electricity. Closing window coverings on hot sunny days can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. Customers who are interested in reducing energy usage through solar panels or community solar programs should first visit the AG’s Office FAQ with consumer tips at www.mass.gov/ago/solar.

 

            Enroll in a payment plan with your utility

 

Massachusetts utility companies offer several financial assistance programs for customers, including flexible payment plans – regardless of income. The AG’s Office encourages customers who are experiencing difficulty paying their monthly bills to contact their utility as soon as possible to learn about the options available to them and other ways to reduce energy use and lower bills.

Customers who enroll in and follow a payment plan with their utility company are protected from having their service shut off for the duration of the plan. Most utility companies are providing payment plans for up to 12 months. Customers should also consider enrolling in budget billing with their utility, which will establish more predictable payments and can thus help customers better manage utility costs that often fluctuate depending on the season, the price of energy, and customer usage.

 

Look into income-eligible assistance programs

 

The AG’s Office encourages customers who are struggling financially to consult with their utility company to see if they qualify for an income-eligible rate, which provides a discount on the customer’s entire bill. Customers could be eligible for low-income assistance, even if they have not been eligible in the past, as eligibility is based on the last four weeks of gross household income. Customers may also qualify for a balance forgiveness or arrearage management programs (AMP). The AMP provides for an individualized payment plan that, if followed, allows all or a portion of a customer’s outstanding unpaid balance to be forgiven.

 

Customers who have a household income that is between 60 to 80 percent of the state median income may be able to seek help from the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.

            Beware of competitive suppliers

 

The AG’s Office urges customers to beware of deceptive competitive electric suppliers who may try to take advantage of this summer’s high rates and lure customers in with a promise of cheaper electricity. A report released by the AG’s Office in April 2021 showed that Massachusetts customers who received their electricity from competitive suppliers were charged $426 million more on their bills than if they would have stayed with their utility. The AG’s report also found that these suppliers charge low-income residents and residents in communities of color higher rates for their electricity.

 

            As the ratepayer advocate for Massachusetts, AG Healey’s Energy and Telecommunications Division works to ensure reasonable prices, access to clean energy for all customers, and to educate them on the available programs that will help them keep the lights on and stay cool.

 

For more information on electric prices and the available assistance programs view the AG’s new resource flyer and webpage, which includes contact information for the state’s utility companies. The resource flyer – which is available in Spanish and Portuguese and will be available in Haitian Creole, Mandarin, and Vietnamese – will be provided to community organizations including consumer advocates, municipal associations, nonprofit service organizations, and food pantries. Customers who have concerns about their utility rights should contact the AG’s consumer assistance hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint online.