Take it to the (green) bank

Also: Expect major congestion from the Sumner Tunnel closure; a psychedelic pitch [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 14, 2023 🌧️ Muggy and cloudy, with a high near 81 and scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Good Morning Boston, Today's Flag Day, and in case you're wondering, here's [the latest on the effort to redesign the Massachusetts seal, flag and motto](. (My personal stance on the subject is very simple: [cod flag]( We should hear an official recommendation from the commission that's been studying the issue this fall. Until then, let's get to the news: - A different kind of green: Gov. Maura Healey [announced yesterday Massachusetts is setting up a “green bank”]( to help the state reach [its 2050 climate goals](. Technically, it's called the "Massachusetts Community Climate Bank" (but that's not quite as catchy). The important part is the bank is a first-of-its-kind effort to spur outside investment in more climate-friendly, affordable housing. - How does a green bank work? The basic idea is the government puts some money forward to offer low-interest loans to climate initiatives — with the hope the initial seed money will make those projects more attractive to private investors who are interested in the sector, but maybe not ready to front all the money. In this case, Massachusetts is seeding its bank with $50 million. Healey says that money could similarly be used to leverage federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, too. - Massachusetts isn't the first to launch the concept. At least six other states — as well as countries like Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom — have set up various forms of green banks, [according to the Green Bank Network](. For example, Connecticut has one that [focuses on climate-friendly building](. - What makes Massachusetts' green bank different is it will focus specifically on affordable housing. That mostly means retrofitting existing buildings to make them more energy efficient. As WBUR's Miriam Wasser reports, such renovations — everything from heat pumps to solar panels — can cost a lot of money up front. Healey says the state hopes its loans can accelerate this work without leaving lower-income communities behind. - Why focus on retrofitting? The state's climate plan calls for cutting emissions from residential heating in half by 2030 — and by 95% by 2050. Unlike cars, buildings stick around for decades. Healey's administration estimates over 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 are already built. - Want to throw a block party? Boston will give you up to $750. Mayor Michelle Wu's office has opened block party grant applications to help Boston residents and community groups buy food, party supplies, lawn games and other items for community gatherings this summer. - Before you ask: No, you can't use the money to buy beer (or any alcohol). You have to fill out [a grant application form]( explaining what the money will be used on, among other details. - The city is also offering [two types of "block party kits"]( you can borrow: a "game kit" with stuff like cornhole and frisbees, and a "cool kit" with items like water balloons and a splash tower. - Ludlow's school committee has rejected [a controversial proposal]( that would have removed dozens of books from libraries and changed how future books are selected in the western Massachusetts town. NEPM's Jill Kaufman reports the proposal didn't even muster enough support for a vote on the five-member committee. - Go deeper: Supporters [said the measure would protect children from "pornography"]( critics called it a form of censorship and an attempt to suppress literature about LGBTQ+ experiences. - Prepare for a funky Fourth: Award-winning R&B vocal group En Vogue will headline this year's [Boston Pops Fourth of July concert]( on the Esplanade. - Pops conductor Keith Lockhart says the concert will go beyond orchestral music to include what he calls modern classics. "We're thrilled to have gotten En Vogue," Lockhart told WBUR's Jacob Garcia. "They are really going to bring the party. I love their songs myself, even though I'm a little old for when they really hit. But '[Free Your Mind]( for instance, is a great song." - En Vogue won't be the only ones at the Hatch Shell. Read [the full lineup here]( which includes country duo LOCASH and Broadway actress and singer Mandy Gonzalez. P.S.— Have you been listening to WBUR's new podcast The Common? Every weekday since November, the team has been bringing you big stories from Greater Boston — but they want to hear from you, too. Make host Darryl C. Murphy's day and [fill out this quick survey]( about what you want to see from the podcast going forward. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [4 political questions after Trump's second arraignment for criminal charges]( Former President Donald Trump appeared in court Tuesday to answer to 37 charges related to his handling of classified documents, marking the second time in 2023 he has been indicted. [Read more.]( [4 political questions after Trump's second arraignment for criminal charges]( Former President Donald Trump appeared in court Tuesday to answer to 37 charges related to his handling of classified documents, marking the second time in 2023 he has been indicted. [Read more.]( [Transportation officials urge people to ditch their cars during Sumner Tunnel closure]( Starting on July 5, the tunnel connecting East Boston and Logan Airport to downtown Boston will be closed seven days a week, through Aug. 31. [Read more.]( [Transportation officials urge people to ditch their cars during Sumner Tunnel closure]( Starting on July 5, the tunnel connecting East Boston and Logan Airport to downtown Boston will be closed seven days a week, through Aug. 31. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts lawmakers pitched on decriminalizing psychedelics]( Several bills would legalize some natural plants and fungi containing psychedelic compounds, ensuring people aren't penalized for possessing, cultivating, transporting or using the substances. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts lawmakers pitched on decriminalizing psychedelics]( Several bills would legalize some natural plants and fungi containing psychedelic compounds, ensuring people aren't penalized for possessing, cultivating, transporting or using the substances. [Read more.]( [The country’s first gas utility-run networked geothermal heating and cooling system breaks ground in Mass.]( With this pilot project, environmentalists hope Eversource can model a new business plan that provides more climate-friendly and affordable home heating and cooling for customers. [Read more.]( [The country’s first gas utility-run networked geothermal heating and cooling system breaks ground in Mass.]( With this pilot project, environmentalists hope Eversource can model a new business plan that provides more climate-friendly and affordable home heating and cooling for customers. [Read more.]( [Study estimates millions did not fully recover sense of taste or smell after COVID]( A new study from Mass Eye and Ear estimates that millions of Americans did not fully recover their sense of taste or smell after contracting COVID. The study found that 60% of people lost some ability to taste and smell during COVID infections in 2021, and a quarter of those patients didn't fully recover those senses. [Read more.]( [Study estimates millions did not fully recover sense of taste or smell after COVID]( A new study from Mass Eye and Ear estimates that millions of Americans did not fully recover their sense of taste or smell after contracting COVID. The study found that 60% of people lost some ability to taste and smell during COVID infections in 2021, and a quarter of those patients didn't fully recover those senses. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Juneteenth celebrations begin in Boston this morning with an inaugural concert at The Embrace sculpture on the Common — and they don't stop there. Here are [five of the many events this weekend to celebrate the holiday]( and reflect on what it means in 2023. - Boston’s summer moviegoing scene has something for everyone: kid-friendly outdoor screenings, international film fests, sci-fi classics in 35mm paired with free expert commentary on the Greenway. Need we say more? Check out our [complete summer movie guide here](. - For the first time, one of Boston’s most popular tourist attractions will double as a theater hosting an original play. “Revolution's Edge,” a dramatic imagining of three real people with different views about the start of the American Revolution, [opens Thursday at Old North Church](. It will be performed three times a week all summer. - What happens in Vegas... is a Stanley Cup! Just six years into their history as a NHL franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights — led by former Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy — [clinched the Stanley Cup championship in a Game 5 win last night]( over the Florida Panthers.  What We're Reading 📚 This section is supported by [Beacon Hill Books]( a new independent bookstore. - Two Rhode Island officials visited Philly. They were so rude their state launched two separate investigations. ([Philadelphia Inquirer]( - It’s Not a Good Sign When People Who Don’t Pay for News Have So Little to Choose From ([The New York Times]( - What Was Nate Silver's Data Revolution? ([The New Yorker](  Tell Me Something Good [Franklin Park Zoo lion undergoes successful surgery with help from his brother (Boston.com)]( Kamaia, one of two African lions who live at Roxbury‘s Franklin Park Zoo, underwent a successful surgery to have his spleen removed Friday — and he has his brother Dinari to thank. [Read more.]( [Franklin Park Zoo lion undergoes successful surgery with help from his brother (Boston.com)]( Kamaia, one of two African lions who live at Roxbury‘s Franklin Park Zoo, underwent a successful surgery to have his spleen removed Friday — and he has his brother Dinari to thank. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common discusses [what a ban on affirmative action could mean for highly selective colleges in the Boston area](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Orcas incoming.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.