THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, April 26, 2019 Page 15 EARTH DAY | FROM PAGE 8 a class of public policy students from around the world are currently studying our city and generating recommendations to take people out of cars. I look forward to their analysis. However, we will not build a sustainable economy and fight climate change by changing our car-centric culture alone. Our increasing reliance on electricity releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; in fact, 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States come from electricity production. This is why I recently announced that the City of Everett has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with a clean energy provider, Syncarpha Solar, LLC. We will be purchasing energy credits generated by the company’s eleven “Community Shared Solar” projects, all located in Massachusetts. These projects are expected to generate 76 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable solar energy annually. Under the 20-year agreement, we will not only save money, but will do our part to build a sustainable economy for generations to come. But larger corporations and businesses also need to do their part. For too long, the National Grids of the world have been profiting on the backs of the cities and towns of Massachusetts and not contributing as a local partner. Where other wealthier communities have had the resources to block industrial uses, poorer communities have been forced to accept it. Today, we will no longer allow large corporations and multinational utilities to block off access to our waterfront and pollute our land and our water. Over the past two years, we have worked closely with the legal experts of the Conservation Law Foundation and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to open our waterfront to our residents and our surrounding communities. After all, we are the most diverse city in the Commonwealth, and we deserve no less than what the richest communities have. That is also why I have invested in our parks, open spaces and waterfront. Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Weston, and others all enjoy beautiful walking paths along the Charles. It is time for Everett residents of all races, ages and incomes to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of visiting urban parks and open spaces. By investing in our resources, we are putting Everett on par with our richer neighbors and moving closer to social equity. Please join me on Saturday, May 11 to celebrate the beauty of the environment around us by working together as we hold our Annual Spring Clean Up. There will be various spots designated throughout the City for cleaning. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Everett DPW (19 Norman St.) at 8:00 a.m. To preregister or for more information, please visit http://www.cityofeverett.com/FormCenter/Special-Events7/2018-Spring-Clean-Up-PreRegistration-51. Don’t miss out on a great time for a great cause. We Carry... * 100% Waterproof LVT Flooring * Ceramic, Porcelain & Stone Tile * Hardwood Prefinished and Unfinished, Do-it-Yourselfer Products! Drop by our Showroom and check out our 250 styles of area rugs and other products! 31 Osprey Rd., Saugus * 781-289-9676 Contact@Russoflooring.com
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