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Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-Chair of the Senate Climate Clearinghouse, released the following statement on President Obama’s Clean Power Plan

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources this week adopted three amendments introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) as part of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. The amendments support research efforts to protect against higher domestic energy prices, improve energy efficiency, and enhance national security. Specifically, the amendments authorize a study into the state and regional economic impacts of exported liquefied natural gas (LNG); ask the Department of Energy to conduct a study into cost savings associated with the use of energy efficiency technology in order to increase its use; and support research into critical minerals alternatives in order to help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources.

MassHousing provided $1.1 billion for affordable housing and served more than 9,000 families in fiscal year 2015, which ended June 30, 2015. It was the second-best lending year in the Agency's 49-year history.

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and Representatives Jim McGovern, Stephen F. Lynch, Niki Tsongas, and Bill Keating announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a total of $19,237,879 in grants to seven Massachusetts fire departments and the Quincy-based Fire Protection Research Foundation. The grants, which will support equipment acquisition, training, and staffing, were awarded to the Upton Fire Emergency Medical Services, Duxbury Fire Department, Halifax Fire Department

The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting developers to submit revitalization proposals for the West Newton/Rutland Street public housing properties in Roxbury.

Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-Mass) and Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) introduced the Homeless and Foster Youth Achievement Act, legislation to help homeless and foster youth stay in school and achieve their academic goals. Currently, states collect and release data such as graduation rates broken down by race, disability, and income level to help schools identify achievement gaps and the challenges students face in school, and this bill would add homeless and foster youth status to the existing criteria

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that ongoing buyer activity in the spring pushed single-family home sales up in June by nine percent compared to the same time last year. The median price of single family homes was also up for the eighth time in nine months. New listings added to the market were up almost 12 percent over last year. Condominium closed sales were up, but median prices were down slightly.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh's Office of New Bostonians (MONB) launched the start of a community input process to gather more information on immigrant experiences in Boston. This survey is another step in Mayor Walsh's Immigrant Integration and Empowerment Initiative to improving the quality of life for all of Boston's residents.

RFP next step in resident and community process regarding long-term preservation of BHA’s affordable housing. Boston, MA- Today the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting developers to submit revitalization proposals for the Lenox and Camden public housing developments in Roxbury

A Chatham property owner will pay close to $180,000 to settle allegations that he destroyed protected coastal wetlands on the shore of Stage Harbor in Chatham by allegedly driving a 9,000 pound, track-driven loader down a narrow foot path to the beach at low tide, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

A mortgage broker from Middleton was convicted today of attempted bank fraud in federal court. Michael P. O’Donnell, 53, was convicted of one count of bank fraud after a three-day bench trial before the Honorable Douglas P. Woodlock, United States District Judge. Judge Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Oct. 20, 2015.

Pan Am Railways has agreed to settle EPA allegations that they violated the federal Clean Water Act at two of its railyards operating in Waterville, Maine, and East Deerfield, Mass. The company has agreed to pay a fine of $152,000 to resolve the violations

The High Water Collective’s exhibition Boston 2050: High Water opens on July 27 and runs through October 31 at the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library, focusing on the impact of predicted flooding in Boston neighborhoods. Artists selected for this exhibition are from Boston and around the globe, utilizing mixed media pieces, painting, sculpture, photography, installation work, and drawings to convey the dangers of flooding and higher waters, with the intent to initiate conversation within communities. An opening exhibition reception takes place on Thursday, August 6, from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. and features guest speakers civil rights activist Mimi Jones and spoken word poet Ant Thomas

The City of Boston today announced that the ParkBoston app is now live through Back Bay, Fenway/Kenmore, Downtown, Beacon Hill, the North End, the West End and Charlestown, and will be active in South Boston, the South End, Mission Hill, Allston and Brighton by the end of the summer. The app allows drivers to quickly and easily remotely pay a meter with their mobile phone, avoiding the hassle of finding quarters or running back to the meter to add more time before it expires.

Building on the Obama Administration’s goal to expand high speed broadband to all Americans, today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Harriet Tregoning joined Boston Housing Authority Administrator William McGonagle and City of Boston Chief Information Officer Jascha Franklin-Hodge to launch ConnectHome, an initiative to extend affordable broadband access to families living in HUD-assisted Boston housing.