The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education has awarded Worcester State University $1.29 million to advance decarbonization efforts, address deferred maintenance and increase climate resilience. The dollars will be directed toward a number of maintenance and security projects across campus.
The funding was raised by the newly-implemented Fair Share Amendment, an additional 4% tax on Bay State residents with incomes of $1 million or more. The dollars allocated to the public higher education institutions were paid for through Fair Share Amendment funds as part of the FY24 budget, which appropriated $50 million for this purpose.
“Making investments in our public higher education system that bring much-needed repairs to our campuses while also making Massachusetts greener and more resilient to the realities of our warming planet is exactly what the Fair Share Amendment was meant to do,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) in announcing the funding Dec. 28, 2023. “I’m thrilled that the Healey Administration is using these dollars to invest in the Commonwealth’s future. I look forward to seeing these funds put into action right here in Worcester.”
Worcester State will use the funding to replace outdated controllers in the Sullivan Building and Student Center, reseal the windows in the Sullivan Academic Center, repoint the Administration Building and pay for campus security upgrades.
Worcester State University has a 16-year commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, which was reaffirmed in 2017, said Worcester State University President Barry M. Maloney. “This critical infusion of funding from the Fair Share tax revenues will markedly advance those efforts,” he said. “We thank the Healey Administration, especially Secretary Tutwiler and Commissioner Baacke, as well as the legislature, for their leadership in addressing climate change.”
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