MA H988

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection would establish a competitive grant program for small businesses transitioning to a circular economy, with priority given to certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses and those in or benefiting environmental justice populations

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs would create a grant program for nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses to conduct ocean health research and develop new ocean-related technology

Ocean research grants would prioritize projects benefiting the ocean environment, marine species, or coastal communities, as well as those promoting equity and using time-series data

A Blue Economy Education Fund would be established within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund high school workforce training and job placement programs in ocean-sector STEAM industries

High schools in environmental justice communities or serving substantial numbers of students from those communities would receive priority for education funding