Senator Jason Lewis Announces State Funds for Stone Zoo in Environmental Bill

This week, the Massachusetts Senate passed an environmental bond bill; and, Senator Jason Lewis is pleased to announce a number of provisions in the legislation directly benefitting one of Stoneham’s major institutions and regional attractions.

Senator Lewis successfully secured in the Senate’s environmental bond bill $3 million for comprehensive renovations and deferred maintenance projects by Zoo New England, the non-profit that operates Stoneham’s Stone Zoo.

“Renovating one of our area’s most highly-visited institutions is an important investment for our local economy,” said Senator Lewis.  “These funds will help the Stone Zoo continue to be a major recreational and educational attraction for our region.”

Another noteworthy feature of the environmental bond bill is that it establishes a Climate Change Adaptation Infrastructure Investment Fund for projects related to seawalls, jetties, revetments, retaining walls, and inland flood control, which will allow Massachusetts to better prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Additionally, the bill included a number of provisions to improve the Commonwealth’s energy efficiency and enhance our environment, including: $310 million for the accelerated energy program to improve the energy efficiency of state-owned facilities; $75.4 million for the Department of Environmental Protection for investment in water and air quality protection; $10 million for the Department of Energy and Resources’ Leading by Example Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts; $5 million for recreational trails matching grants; and, $3 million for oil or hazardous waste assessment, containment, cleanup, control, removal, or response.

With the state House of Representatives having passed their version of the environmental bond bill, the Legislature will now form a conference committee to negotiate a compromise between the two bills.

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