Franklin TV schedule for Monday, Jan 27, 2020

All Access

Monday
08:00 AM Cooking Thyme: Fish
08:30 AM SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
09:30 AM Commons Concert: Sharon Band
12:00 PM Brook'n'Cookin: Pork
12:30 PM Sandhya: Macaroons

Franklin TV schedule for Monday - All Access

01:30 PM Pizzapalooza: Pizzetta
02:00 PM N. E. Candlepins Fall '18 Pt 2
03:00 PM Candlepin New Gen Spring '19 8
03:30 PM Physician Focus: Kids' Health
04:00 PM Franklin Garden Club 05/23/15
04:30 PM Extended Play Season 10 Show 10
05:30 PM Senior Connection: Scams
06:00 PM Veterans' Call: Social Security
07:00 PM Frank Presents: Jeff Roy
08:30 PM Circle of Friends: Freebo

Franklin Pride

Monday
07:00 AM Horace Mann Winter Music
08:30 AM Sullivan Winter Music

Franklin TV schedule for Monday - Franklin Pride

10:00 AM Girls Hockey v King Philip
12:00 PM Parmenter Talent Show 2019
02:00 PM Franklin Garden Club 05/23/15
02:30 PM SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
03:30 PM FHS Winter Music Pt. 1
05:00 PM Lifelong Music 05/15/17
06:30 PM Culture Fest: One-Act Plays
09:00 PM History of Baseball

Franklin TV schedule for Monday - Town Hall

Town Hall

Monday
08:00 AM Planning Board 01/06/2020
02:00 PM Planning Board 01/06/2020
06:55 PM Planning Board LIVE


For the full week's schedule check the Programing Guide
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Metrowest Visitors Bureau Announces New Executive Director - Erin Lynch

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce Erin Lynch of Franklin as its new executive director, effective immediately. 

“We are excited to welcome Erin to the organization. She has a solid background of professional achievements working in the MetroWest region. Her enthusiasm, experience and skill set makes her the right candidate to lead the Visitors Bureau. The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce has a long history of working together with the MetroWest Visitors Bureau and we look forward to our continued collaboration with both Erin and Jill Schindler who has been serving as Interim Executive Director.” Says Jim Giammarinaro, Board Treasurer and Search Committee member.

Lynch holds a B.S. in Recreation Management and Tourism from Arizona State University, National Certification in Nonprofit Management, and International Certification in Group Facilitation from the Institute of Cultural Affairs. She brings twenty years of leadership experience focused on collaborative community initiatives.

An alum of the MetroWest Health Foundation’s Health Leadership Program and former Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, her work with the Healthy Futures project continues to serve as a model for hunger relief organizations throughout Massachusetts. The collaborative effort garnered a VIP visit to the White House during the Obama administration. Previously Lynch secured and administered the Arizona Department of Economic Security Volunteer Services contract, and served as Executive Director of the Maddie’s Project, a strategic alliance which secured a multi-million-dollar community grant for the Phoenix area.

Schindler is looking forward to resuming her role as Outreach and Development Director. According to the Bureau’s Board Chair Steve Levinsky, “The Bureau owes a huge debt of gratitude to Jill for stepping up during this past year of transition. She worked tirelessly taking on two jobs at once, ensuring the successful production of our Annual Visitor’s Guide and MetroFest 2019.” Schindler was honored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce in November with the Peter Barbieri “Service Above Self” Award.

Follow the Bureau on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @VisitMetroWest for the latest MetroWest happenings. Stay tuned for the soon to be released 2020 MetroWest Visitor’s Guide which will be circulated throughout the region. Save the date for the annual MetroFest on June 13, 2020.

About the MetroWest Visitors Bureau

The Bureau’s mission is to stimulate the MetroWest economy by marketing the region's assets to visitors and residents. Through 2010 legislation proposed by current Senate President Karen E. Spilka, the MWVB was designated as the state’s 16th Regional Tourism Council (RTC), making it eligible for state funding through the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau serves organizations and businesses in 30 municipalities throughout MetroWest and its bordering towns. For more information, including a complete list of towns designated as “MetroWest” in the state legislation please visit www.metrowestvisitors.org.

www.metrowestvisitors.org

"the Governor's budget is where the conversation starts"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

A state senator who has advocated for education funding reform is pushing back against Gov. Charlie Baker’s description of his fiscal 2021 budget proposal as “fully” funding the new school finance law.

In keeping with the law Baker signed in November, the $44.6 billion budget he filed Wednesday recommended a $303.5 million increase in Chapter 70 aid to local schools. Baker said his budget “will fully fund the first year of the Student Opportunity Act,” which committed the state in $1.5 billion in new funding for K-12 education over seven years.

But state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, D-Boston, who filed one of the bills on which the Student Opportunity Act was based, said Baker’s budget does not fully fund “both the letter and spirit of the Student Opportunity Act.” She said its overall Chapter 70 number “is in the right ballpark,” but the total “is not distributed in an equitable way across the four categories” specified in the law.

Pointing to information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Chang-Diaz said Baker’s plan “takes a 14% step toward full implementation” for health care, special education and English learners, but a 4% step for low-income students.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200126/chang-diaz-questions-bakers-ed-funding-claim

Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz is not the only one with questions on the education funding and following through on the Governor's commitment.  Tracy Novick, a field director for the MASC as well as a school committee member in Worcester, has an extensive analysis of the education funding in the House-2 budget. (House-2 as it is Governor Baker's second budget in the Legislative term).

"It is the first year of the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act, so the first question is, was it implemented?
I think my answer on that is "mostly, but," as I said to Commonwealth Magazine when they called me this week.

• The estimation was the 1/7th of implementation of the Student Opportunity Act would take an additional $300M in Chapter 70 aid statewide; that was hit. 
• The new law guarantees $30/pupil minimum increases with hold harmless; that was done. 
• House 2 does increase health insurance by the GIC three year average increase of 2.34%, rather than the inflation rate for the rest of the foundation budget, which is 1.99% (which is not great at all). "

Continue reading Novick's analysis
http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2020/01/on-governor-bakers-fy21-budget-proposal.html

Franklin residents will have a chance on Feb 4 to address our legislative representatives at the Legislative Forum hosted by the School Committee at FHS.

"the Governor's budget is where the conversation starts"

“Actually getting there is really going to take everything Massachusetts can muster”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Massachusetts Senate plans to take up a far-reaching package of climate bills whose major components include an electric MBTA bus fleet by 2040, carbon-pricing mechanisms for transportation, homes and commercial buildings, and a series of five-year greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements that ramp up to net-zero emissions in 2050.

The three bills, teed up for debate on Jan. 30, with amendments due by Monday, amount to what Senate President Karen Spilka called a “comprehensive plan for the state” to respond to an international issue – global climate change.

“This is a race against time,” Spilka told reporters. “Climate change is changing not only Massachusetts and the United States, it is changing the face of our planet, and our planet’s survival is at stake.”

The carbon pricing and net-zero emissions provisions are both contained in one piece of legislation, dubbed An Act Setting Next-Generation Climate Policy (S 2477). The other bills address energy efficiency (S 2478) and electric vehicles (S 2476)."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200126/carbon-pricing-is-cornerstone-of-senate-climate-package

Links to the specific legislation referenced

• An Act setting next-generation climate policy https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2477
• An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks and Buses to Carbon-Free Power https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2476
• An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2478

The post earlier this week with the MA Senate press release can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/massachusetts-state-senate-unveils-next.html

Lifelong Learning Institute - Summer Program 2020

Registration opens January 29, 2020

Join us for a fun and enriching summer experience! Our high-quality Summer Program is primarily staffed by Franklin Public Schools teachers and educational support professionals who are excited to share their passion and talent with students.

Extended day options through Solutions Summer Adventure are available both before and after enrichment programming to help meet the needs of working families.

Our Summer Program is open to students from Franklin as well as those from surrounding communities.

As a self-sustaining department within the Franklin Public Schools, the success of our program relies on your participation and tuition. We look forward to seeing you in July!

Full program info and registration
http://franklinlifelonglearning.com/summer_program/index.php

Lifelong Learning Institute - Summer Program 2020

2019 Franklin/Medway Jail Diversion Annual Report

2019 Franklin/Medway Jail Diversion Annual Report

"It has been just over a year since the introduction of the Franklin/Medway Jail Diversion Program. Our clinician, Kallie Montagano has been instrumental in making this an extremely successful program. Our officers have come to find more uses for the JDP program than were initially expected, and all of this has lead to better care for our residents who may be suffering from an acute crisis, or long term issues. The program aims to help the police solve problems for the longer term, and not just take an action that leads to an incident ending for the moment, only to resurface again shortly.

The Jail Diversion Program aims to help people in mental health crisis get the assistance they need, and not direct them unnecessarily into the Criminal Justice System. The Clinician rides with police officers in cruisers and responds directly to calls. They will help evaluate and make recommendations for further care and follow up. This shortens the time on scene for officers, and ultimately leads to a better outcome for those involved.

The JDP clinician can assist individuals and families who are seeking resources to help themselves or a loved one get care.

The Jail Diversion Program is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health at no costs to the Town of Franklin or Medway. The program is administered by Advocates Inc.

You can read the annual report here: 2019 Franklin/Medway Jail Diversion Annual Report"
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin-medway_2019_annual_report_1.pdf

Funding from MA Dept of Mental Health
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health 

Program administered by Advocates Inc  https://advocates.org/

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/2019-franklinmedway-jail-diversion-annual-report 

Kallie Montagano (Town of Franklin photo)

FHS girls basketball, and both girls and boys indoor track teams post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Friday


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 73 @ Attleboro, 41 – Final
– The Panthers continued to dominate, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, and remained unbeaten and one game up in the Kelley-Rex standings. Ali Brigham put up 20 points to lead Franklin, which also got 12 points apiece from sophomore forwards Olivia Quinn and Emma Sousa.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ Algonquin, 3 – Final

Boys Indoor Track = Oliver Ames, 49 vs. Franklin, 51 – Final

Girls Indoor Track = Oliver Ames, 31 vs. Franklin, 69 – Final

Boys Basketball = Attleboro, 63 @ Franklin, 51 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"Behind a blazing start and a strong finish, the Attleboro boys basketball team earned a crucial division win on the road in Franklin on Friday night. 

Senior Bryant Ciccio ignited the Bombardiers from the start, scoring half of Attleboro’s 22 first quarter points, and the visitors connected on four three-pointers in the opening quarter to build a lead they would never relinquish. 

And to finish, it was a 12-2 run that spanned the first six minutes of the fourth quarter that propelled the Bombardiers to a 63-51 decision on the road. 

“I think the biggest thing about tonight was that we stuck to the game plan,” said Attleboro head coach Mark Houle. “We weren’t just shooting on the first available shot, we really tried to get some paint shots. We didn’t get a lot but I think working the clock, making them work defensively, and looking to see where we had opportunities on skips and seals, I think that helped us."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/attleboro-boys-basketball-starts-finishes-strong-win-franklin/

For a photo gallery of this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Attleboro-Boys-Basketball-01-24-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-24-20/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

View my photos at: https://t.co/NIM8escWsb@fhsboysbball @joelaz35

— Kevin papa (@kevinjpapa) January 25, 2020

Jv pulled out the W with a nail biter!!! 45-44 over Attleboro! Great job!!

— FHS Boys Basketball (@fhsboysbball) January 25, 2020

Tough loss for the Freshmen to a very good Attleboro team!! Chin up boys back at it on Tuesday!!

— FHS Boys Basketball (@fhsboysbball) January 25, 2020

Attleboro senior Bryant Ciccio goes up for a shot against Franklin’s Andrew Cunningham in the third quarter. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Message to the Community on School Safety - safety drills to be conducted

January 24, 2020

Dear Franklin Community,

Our schools will soon be engaging in a second round of lockdown drills in collaboration with our School Resource Officers. Specific communications about these drills will be issued from the schools directly in the coming weeks.

We thought this to be a good time to share the following information with FPS staff and families regarding the District's threat assessment protocol, communication, and general school safety practices. This message will become part of our regular back to school information in the future.

As referenced in the Superintendent's September Message to the Community on School Safety, Franklin Public Schools is committed to ensuring a safe and nurturing educational environment for our students, staff, and community.

This overview is generalized to preserve a level of operational security for the school district and law enforcement. However, we feel it is important to share this information as a means to be as transparent as possible.

For more information, please see the attachment.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMEU0WnNvNTIzOUZjR3ZxMDMzbUY2SVBJYU8w/view?usp=sharing

Keller-Sulivan sign in early Jan 2020

FTC Consumer Alerts: New year, new credit blog series

by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

With the start of a new year, many of us want to get our finances in order. We often think about budgeting, but what about credit? To help you get a handle on credit, we’ve put together a four-part blog series: (1) why does your credit matter; (2) getting your credit report; (3) reading your credit report; and (4) fixing your credit report.

Before you dig in to work on strengthening your credit, you may wonder: what is credit and why does it matter? When people talk about your credit, they mean your credit history. Your credit history is a record of how you have used money in the past. That includes things like how many credit cards you have, how many loans you have, and whether you pay your bills on time.

Continue reading Part 1
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/new-year-new-credit-blog-series

Part 2 - Getting Your Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/getting-your-credit-report

Part 3 - Reading Your Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/reading-your-credit-report

Part 4 - Fixing Your Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/credit-repair-fixing-mistakes-your-credit-report

FTC Consumer Alerts:  New year, new credit blog series

“Everyone’s really exposed to a toxic soup of these PFAS chemicals”

While the MA DEP is making the rounds seeking public input on proposed regulations, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has come out with a report showing the problem might be more than estimated.

"The contamination of US drinking water with manmade “forever chemicals” is far worse than previously estimated with some of the highest levels found in Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans, said a report on Wednesday by an environmental watchdog group. 

The chemicals, resistant to breaking down in the environment, are known as perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Some have been linked to cancers, liver damage, low birth weight and other health problems. 

The findings here by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) show the group’s previous estimate in 2018, based on unpublished US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, that 110 million Americans may be contaminated with PFAS, could be far too low."

Continue reading the article online 
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/22/us-drinking-water-contamination-forever-chemicals-pfas

The link to the EWG report  https://www.ewg.org/research/national-pfas-testing/

Video link = https://youtu.be/R_D0tbKQGis

MBTA - Franklin Line - Reminder: shuttle bus service on weekends through March 2020

South Station – Forge Park/495

Weekends through March

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

Learn about Positive Train Control

See all Franklin Line service changes

MBTA - Franklin Line - Reminder: shuttle bus service on weekends through March 2020

Franklin residents: Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

Interested in installing a rain barrel at your home? The Great American Rain Barrel Company is offering Franklin residents discounted barrels for just $69. 

Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $19 (rebates are limited to two per household)! 

Order before midnight, Thursday, April 30 and pick up at the DPW Admin Office (257 Fisher St, Franklin) on Wednesday, May 6, from 4-6 PM.


Click here for more information or to order. 
https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

Apply for a water conservation rebate here
https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-conservation-rebates-now-available

Franklin residents: Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/time-order-your-rain-barrel-0

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jan 24 to THU - Jan 30

Friday, January 24

8:00am

 FDP Networking Breakfast

10:00am

 Knitting Group

10:30am

 Happy Feet

Saturday, January 25

10:00am

 Winter Farmers Market

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Library-Chinese New Year Celebration!- Whole Family

1:00pm

 Library- Girls Who Code- Ages 6th-8th Grade

2:00pm

 Art in Bloom!

7:30pm

 Moliere's Tartuffe

Sunday, January 26

1:00pm

 FBRTC 2020 Pour Richard’s FUNdraiser

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm

 Moliere's Tartuffe

3:00pm

 Acrylic Pour Workshop

Monday, January 27

10:30am

 Library-Move Along- Ages 0-5

3:30pm

 Library- D&D for Kids- Ages 7-13

6:00pm

 String School Concert

7:00pm

 Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 28

9:30am

 Library- Cool Cruisers- 8mo-18mo

10:30am

 Library-Get Ready for Kindergarten- 3-5yrs

4:00pm

 Library-Toe-Tapping Tuesdays-Ages 2-4!

6:00pm

 Band School Concert

6:00pm

 Franklin School Committee - Student Services Workshop

7:00pm

 School Committee meeting

7:00pm

 Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wednesday, January 29

10:30am

 Library- Terrific Toddlers- Ages 18mo-3yrs

3:30pm

 Library- Creation Station!- Ages 4+

Thursday, January 30

9:30am

 Library- Tummy Time- Ages 0-12mo (pre-walkers)

10:30am

 Library-Story Xplorers- Ages 0-5

4:00pm

 Library-Chess Club for Kids-Ages 8-13

4:00pm

 Library- Bookworm Bounce Storytime!- Ages 0-5

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jan 24 to THU - Jan 30

Massachusetts State Senate Unveils Next Generation Climate Policy

Amid increasing reports of environmental devastation worldwide, the Massachusetts State Senate has taken major new steps in advancing the state's approach to combating global warming. The Senate's next generation climate policy package, including An Act Setting Next Generation Climate Policy, An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks and Buses to Carbon-Free Power, and An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency, were released by the Senate Ways and Means Committee today, and are scheduled to be debated by the full Senate next week.

"The young people of Massachusetts have told us in no uncertain terms that they are looking to state leaders to take bold action on climate change," says Senate President Karen Spilka. "The Massachusetts State Senate has listened. I'm proud of Senator Barrett for his diligence in crafting a thorough legislative package that takes concrete steps to reduce emissions and provides a plan to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future. I would like to thank Senator Barrett and Senator Michael Rodrigues for their contributions to this next generation of climate leadership."

"As a result of a collaborative stakeholder process, the package of bills polled out by the Committee today proposes a comprehensive plan to reduce our carbon footprint and boldly confront the impacts of climate change," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I applaud Senate President Spilka for her leadership and Senator Barrett for his thoughtful collaboration and partnership, which helped shape our efforts to put forward a series of bills to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and transform our energy delivery system to benefit our climate and future generations. I look forward to a robust and energetic debate next week on the Senate floor."

"Getting to net zero is absolutely necessary but it's also a big lift," said State Senator Mike Barrett, lead author and Senate Chair of the Utilities & Energy committee. "This bill is all about the how of it, as in 'Here's how we are going to get there.'"

Key provisions of the climate policy package include:

• Setting a statewide greenhouse gas limit for the year 2050 of "net zero" emissions. To achieve this, An Act Setting Next-Generation Climate Policy requires the state to hit near-term limits in 2025, 2030, and every five years thereafter; set sub-limits for transportation, buildings, solid waste, natural gas distribution, and other major sectors; and make implementation plans that are "clear, comprehensive, and specific."
• Establishing the Massachusetts Climate Policy Commission. The commission would be a new, independent public watchdog to oversee government's handling of the unfolding crisis of climate change. Commissioners will be charged with offering a nonpartisan, science-based view of the problem as it plays out in Massachusetts with its attendant natural, economic, and demographic impacts and risks.

"We want this commission to be an independent guardian of the future, notably the future of younger generations, insulated from political pressure and consisting of the most authoritative and credible Massachusetts voices we can find," stated Senator Barrett. "Job one for the Commission is to tell us if we're on track in bringing down emissions. Job two is to advise us on what to do next. The commission will give us objective information about the performance of both government and the private sector and will pay special attention to the impact on low-income and other disadvantaged communities. If the commission works as intended, it will be a new voice, standing apart from politics as usual and committed to shedding light on a very hard problem."

Reflecting the price of carbon. Under the bill, the Administration would be free to choose among various market based forms of pricing carbon—including a revenue-neutral fee or a regional "cap and trade" system similar to the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI)—but he or she would have to do so by Jan. 1, 2022, for transportation; Jan. 1, 2025, for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings; and Jan. 1, 2030, for residential buildings. Any mechanism would be implemented so as to minimize the impact on low-income households, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable manufacturing sectors.

Providing legislative direction to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the state's primary energy oversight agency, for the first time. Compensating for a decades-long omission, the bill assigns the DPU a mission statement. It requires the agency to balance five priorities: reliability of supply, affordability, public safety, physical and cyber security, and, significantly, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Jumpstarting efforts to supply low-cost solar electricity to low-income communities. To reverse the failure of state programs to incentivize solar energy projects in low-income neighborhoods, as well as spur job creation, the bill requires the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to set aside future solar allocations for such neighborhoods.

Letting cities and towns adopt a "net zero" stretch energy code. The bill allows the state to support communities that choose on their own to move away from fossil fuels as the source of heating for new buildings. The state's contribution is to promulgate a "net zero" energy code, so that localities have the option available if they want to use it. The bill shifts responsibility for the code's development from the Board of Building Regulations and Standards to the DOER.

"When it comes to bringing down emissions, buildings are the toughest nut to crack," Barrett says. "We need to move on multiple fronts."

Nudging natural gas utilities to adapt. The bill authorizes utilities to test technology and pipelines that generate and transport "renewable thermal energy," an emissions-free way to heat buildings that draws on the relative warmth of temperatures below ground.

Strengthening executive branch oversight of MassSave. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to set emissions reduction goals, in advance, for each three-year plan the utilities formulate for MassSave. It requires the DPU, at the conclusion of each three-year plan, to certify how much the plan actually contributed to meeting the Commonwealth's greenhouse gas emission limits.

Tightening the alignment between MassSave and emissions limits. The bill requires electric utilities to include an explicit value for emissions reductions whenever they calculate the cost-effectiveness of a MassSave offering.

Setting a deadline for converting MTBA buses to all-electric power. An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks, and Buses to Carbon Free Power directs the MBTA to limit bus purchases and leases to zero-emissions vehicles beginning in 2030, and to aim for an all-zero-emissions fleet by 2040, to reduce transportation-related emissions in city neighborhoods.

Offsetting the Trump Administration's efforts to slow progress on efficient appliances. An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency updates Massachusetts appliance standards to improve energy and water efficiency standards for common household and commercial appliances, helping to conserve energy and save consumers and businesses money.

Other provisions include:

• Assembling the state's first-ever database of energy use in large buildings.
• Adding two building efficiency experts and an expert in advanced building technology to the membership of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, which will retain responsibility for the base energy building code.
• Authorizing the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to fund energy innovation pilots, and to take actions addressing health effects associated with the distribution and consumption of fossil fuels such as natural gas.
• Directing the DPU to consider the impact on emissions when it reviews electric and natural gas rates, prices, charges, and contracts.
• Directing state government to limit purchases and leases of vehicles to zero emissions vehicles only, beginning in 2024, if affordable replacements are available.
• Conducting a study of the opportunities to electrify vehicles owned or leased by municipalities, regional school districts, and regional transit authorities, taking into account costs and possible sources of financial help from state and federal government.
• Providing permanent statutory authorization for the "MOR-EV" program, the Commonwealth's system of financial incentives for purchasers of zero emission vehicles.

"In Boston, we set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050," stated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. "Buildings along with transportation make up nearly 99 percent of Boston's carbon emissions and I'm proud to join my colleagues at the Legislature in support of this proposal, which puts critical strategies in place to cut emissions across the Commonwealth. Together, we'll work towards a more sustainable Boston for our residents, and generations to come."

"We applaud the Senate's leadership and are pleased to see President Spilka making good on her promise to move forward critical climate legislation," stated Jacob Stern, Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club. "Given that climate science tells us we only have until 2030 to substantially reduce our emissions, we hope that this legislation will serve as a catalyst for immediate action. We look forward to reviewing the bill in detail and working with our movement allies to pass these much-needed policies into law."

"NECEC commends Senate President Spilka and the Massachusetts Senate for proposing a net zero emissions standard, in alignment with scientific consensus," said Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) President Peter Rothstein. "Swift passage of this legislation will accelerate the clean energy transition in the energy, buildings and transportation sectors, and will cement Massachusetts' position as a premier place to build a robust clean energy economy."

"We thank the Senate for releasing an energy bill that sets us on a course to more boldly address climate change—the most critical issue of our time," stated Elizabeth Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. "By setting interim GHG reduction targets and echoing the Governor's call for net zero emissions by 2050, the Senate acknowledges how much work is left to do. In particular, we applaud the Senate for directing DOER to develop a net zero stretch code to address the built environment, and for including provisions that would accelerate electric vehicle use and ability of low income communities to access solar energy."

"With the bill released today, President Spilka and Senate leadership are setting the Commonwealth on a meaningful pathway to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050", said Deborah Donovan, Acadia Center's Massachusetts Director. "The strong interim target of a 50% reduction by 2030 ensures that Massachusetts will make the next decade count. The ambitious provisions of this bill will boost our economy and protect the health of our most vulnerable residents and our planet."

"Communities want and need a Net Zero stretch code in order to meet their local climate goals," said Rebecca Winterich-Knox of the Mass Climate Action Network. "Committing to the goal of Net Zero by 2050 is a big step in the right direction, and will let cities and towns take leadership on better buildings."

"The Senate Committee's climate bill will make a real difference for people's health and our climate," said Alyssa Rayman-Read, Vice President and Director of CLF Massachusetts. "Getting to zero emissions by 2050 is an absolute necessity, and pushing the T to exclusively use electric vehicles will go a long way towards hitting that goal."

"This legislation will continue to fuel our transition away from a carbon intensive economy, while promoting new job growth and economic opportunities for the Commonwealth," stated Michael Green, Executive Director of Climate Xchange. "A carbon free economy will benefit all of the Massachusetts businesses and residents. This legislation will unlock much needed market signals, providing the opportunity for sustainable business growth, innovation and continue to make Massachusetts one of the most vibrant economies in the nation."

The entire Senate is expected to vote on the legislation by the end of January.

Links to the specific legislation referenced

• An Act setting next-generation climate policy https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2477
• An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks and Buses to Carbon-Free Power https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2476
• An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2478