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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDnEsDAy, July 3, 2024 Page 19 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 dents, advocates and clean energy leaders that we need systemic infrastructure changes to deliver on our net zero by 2050 emissions goals. Today we are taking action to make it easier and more efficient to build clean energy infrastructure so that Massachusetts can deliver on our climate commitments and leave our kids with the green state and planet that they deserve.” “Mass Audubon is proud that our legislative climate and energy leaders and the Healey Administration have delivered an omnibus climate bill which reflects so many of the recommendations of the Commission on Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting,” said Michelle Manion, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Mass Audubon. “[The bill] accelerates clean energy while also recognizing the importance of nature – our forests, wetlands and farms – in the climate fight, and that our towns and cities are essential partners in delivering on the solution set. This bill is the commonwealth’s next best step in addressing the climate crisis.” “The Massachusetts Senate has approached this legislation like Don Quixote, mistaking natural gas as an enemy worth eliminating when instead it should be considered a useful ally,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) who voted against the bill. “This legislation not only severely undercuts the use of natural gas, it fails to address the cost of electricity in the commonwealth which is currently ranked as the fourth highest in the nation. If you love paying higher costs for electricity year after year, you’ll love this Senate legislation.” Fattman continued, “While BBB SCAM ALERT | FROM PAGE 14 sign. Legitimate utility companies will often accept a check or credit card. Pressure to pay immediately. Utility scammers will press for immediate payment, typically within a short time frame under an hour, and may try high-pressure tactics to intimidate consumers into giving them personal and banking information. Protect yourself against this scam Call customer service. If you feel pressured for immediate action by an unknown caller, more than half of Massachusetts households rely on natural gas for heating their homes and cooking their food, this legislation all but eliminates that possibility without providing a clear path on making other energy sources achievable, accessible and affordable. We are not prepared to implement these vast changes to our energy sector and a lack of preparation will, no doubt, lead to chaos down the road.” Sen. Peter Durant (R-Spencer) the only other senator who voted against the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the bill and his vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $1 BILLION CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION FUND (S 2829) Senate 1-38, rejected an amendment that would create a $1 billion Clean Energy and Climate Action Fund to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, which would distribute funds to efficient retrofits and upgrades that fit into the state’s commitment to reducing emissions from the built environment. “I am extremely disappointed that this amendment was rejected as part of this bill,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco (D-Taunton). “The transition to clean energy will require a significant investment, and this investment is currently one of the biggest barriers to the transition to clean energy. The cost of this fund pales in comparison to the costs the Commonwealth will incur if the transition to clean energy is not expedited.” Amendment opponents said hang up the phone and call the customer service number listed on your actual utility bill. If the scammer provided you with a utility bill, it could be fake, so be sure to go back to a previous, real utility bill and confirm that the phone number you will be calling is correct. This will ensure you are speaking to a real representative from your utility company. Never give your personal or banking information to an unverified or unsolicited caller. Never allow anyone into your home unless you have scheduled an appointment or reportthe $1 billion would come from the Rainy Day Fund which, because of lower tax revenue, has not been as flush with money as the Senate thought it would be. Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), a lead sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his opposition to this amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No HOUSING (S 2834) Senate 40-0, approved a housing bill that would authorize $5.4 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in the Bay State. Supporters said the package makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development and promoting affordable housing. The House has already approved a different version of the package and a House-Senate conference committee will likely attempt to hammer out a compromise version. Provisions include $2.2 billion for repairs, rehabilitation and renovation of public housing; $425 million for the Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust Fund which works with cities and towns, non-profits and developers to support housing preservation, new construction,and rehabilitation projects to create affordable rental units; $800 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve housing for households with an income at or below 110 per cent of the area’s median income; $275 million for innovative, sustainable and green housing initiatives; $200 million for the Commoned a problem. It is rare that a legitimate utility company will show up unannounced and demand entry into your home. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification before letting them enter. For more information Read more about how to avoid impostor scams @ https://www. bbb.org/article/news-releases/21686-how-to-avoid-impostor-scams. Report scams at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker and learn how to protect yourself, by going https://www.bbb. org/article/scams/8767-bbbtips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams Wealth Builder program to further the production of housing in gateway cities for first-time homebuyers; and creates a process for tenants to seal their eviction records in cases of no-fault evictions. “The … bill is more than a legislative measure -- it is a bold commitment to the principles of production, preservation and protection of housing across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Lydia Edwards (D-Boston), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “With a $5.4 billion investment, we are building new homes, preserving existing ones and ensuring that all residents, especially the most vulnerable, have access to safe and affordable housing.” “An affordable, equitable, and competitive commonwealth is one in which a renter can find an apartment within their budget, a family can afford a down payment on their first home, and residents aren’t priced out of communities where they want to live,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today the Senate took concrete action to make that vision a reality, a first step in rectifying decades of underinvestment that has led to our housing crisis.” “I’m thrilled that the Senate, in partnership with the House and the Healey-Driscoll administration, has addressed the very real housing crisis we face today, the greatest impediment to making it in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This crisis takes many forms, including the lack of available housing, the lack of affordable housing, housing access and the waitlist for seniors and lower income families. This comprehensive bond bill addresses those barriers— and more—by dedicating $5.4 billion in a multi-year package to tackle this crisis head on. The passage of this legislation today now puts our ambitious plans in motion.” Although no senators voted against the bill, some tenant advocates criticized the package, noting that while both the House and Senate versions would take meaningful steps towards expanding affordable housing options, neither version does anything for people who are currently struggling to stay in their homes. “Even if all the housing envisioned in the bond bill is ultimately built, it would still be a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of the housing crisis that is forcing working people out on the street today,” said Carolyn Chou, executive director of Homes for All Mass. “Without immediate relief, tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents will be forced out of their homes by rising rents in the coming years, and we’ll continue to lose the working people who power our economy as they fall victim to predatory real estate speculators.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (S 2834) Senate 6-34, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. Any appeal would have to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability BEACON | SEE PAGE 20 Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $175 per paper in-town per year or $225 per paper out-of-town per year. 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