By Bob Katzen

“Investing in clean energy to modernize our schools is one of the smartest steps we can take to create healthier, safer learning environments for our students and educators. By improving energy efficiency, we lower costs, reduce harmful pollution and free up valuable resources to support teachers and educational programs. This is an investment in our buildings, the future of our communities and the well-being of the next generation.”

— Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing that the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded more than $52 million in grants to help upgrade public school facilities through the Green School Works program, which aims to make K–12 public school buildings more energy-efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution and create safer and healthier learning environments for students and educators.

“Good nutrition is a cornerstone of health, year-round. Programs like SUN Bucks let children focus on learning, playing and just being kids, rather than where their next meal will come from when school is closed.”
— Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh announcing the SUN Bucks program which provides grocery money to eligible low-income Massachusetts families with school-aged children in the summer months to buy food when schools are closed. The program started in June 2024 and last year served 584,441 Massachusetts children.

“We’re working on every front to lower costs, from cutting taxes, to building more housing, to lowering your energy bill. Our legislation gets charges off bills, lowers overall energy costs and prevents big price swings that families and businesses can’t afford. We’re putting savings back in people’s pockets while continuing to move Massachusetts toward greater energy independence.”
—Gov. Healey testifying at a hearing on her legislation that she calls “The Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act,” which she says will lower energy bills and bring more energy into Massachusetts.

“Today’s hearing is political theater. It’s the governor trying to deflect blame as she heads into an election year. The Healey administration wants credit for tackling energy costs, but their bill just recycles the same failed mandates that created the crisis in the first place.”
—Paul Craney, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, commenting on Healey’s bill.