马萨诸塞州宣布能源紧急状态，扩大取暖援助
马萨诸塞州州长莫拉·希利10月5日签署行政令，宣布该州进入能源紧急状态，并扩大冬季取暖援助计划。据《鳕鱼角时报》报道，这项行政令旨在应对能源价格高企给居民带来的压力，预计可为全州家庭节省约1.5亿美元开支。行政令要求州能源部门加快审批取暖援助申请，提高低收入家庭的补助标准，并协调公用事业公司在冬季暂停对困难家庭的断供措施。希利表示，随着冬季临近，州政府必须确保没有家庭因为付不起取暖费而挨冻。该计划还包括对老旧住宅节能改造的补贴，从源头降低居民用能成本。
Massachusetts Declares Energy Emergency, Expands Heating Assistance
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order on October 5 declaring an energy emergency and expanding winter heating assistance. According to the Cape Cod Times, the order responds to high energy prices burdening residents and is expected to save households statewide about $150 million. It directs the state energy department to expedite heating aid applications, raise benefit levels for low-income families, and coordinate with utilities to suspend winter shutoffs for struggling households. Healey said that with winter approaching, the state must ensure no family goes cold because it cannot afford heat. The plan also subsidizes energy-efficiency retrofits for older homes to cut energy costs at the source.
图片来源：马萨诸塞州议会大厦，Wikimedia Commons（CC BY 2.0）
