Governor Announces MassDEP Commissioner

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BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca L. Tepper announced the appointment of Bonnie Heiple as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). 
 
Heiple starts on March 20.
 
"Massachusetts residents should know that they have a leader at MassDEP who will protect their communities," said Governor Healey. "As commissioner, Bonnie Heiple will be focused on protecting our residents and our most precious resources from harmful contaminants and the threats of a changing climate. We're thrilled to welcome Bonnie to the Healey-Driscoll Administration."
 
Bonnie Heiple comes to MassDEP from the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, where she practiced environmental and energy law nationally. Her environmental work includes litigation, regulatory compliance, and advising clients in rapidly evolving areas, including environmental, social, and governance issues. Her energy practice focused on permitting renewable energy generation, transmission, and storage projects across the U.S. A graduate of Boston University School of Law and magna cum laude from Bucknell University, she is a leader in the American Bar Association's Section on Energy, Environment, and Resources, and serves on the Boards of the Women's Bar Foundation, Women's Energy Network, and American Lung Association.
 
"Our cities and towns need a strong partner at MassDEP to guide their efforts to provide clean drinking water, harness the potential of our lands, and build resiliency," continued Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. "Bonnie Heiple will be a great collaborator to our local communities and residents as we chart a course during the climate crisis."
 

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Pittsfield Celebrates 'Twinning' With Irish Sister City

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Last week, the city celebrated St. Patrick's Day early with officials from Sister City Ballina, Ireland.

There was music, dancing, gift exchanges, and a lot of green.

"If you're wondering, what does a Sister City do?" Pittsfield Sister City Committee Chair Francis Curley said.

"We've had art exchanges, we had a female basketball team from Ballina come over and play here, we had a semi-pro basketball team from Ballina come here. So it's not just sports; it's like cultural exchanges. Every time I speak with someone from Ireland, I learn something new."

Pittsfield and Ballina have been "twinning" for 27 years, fostering cultural, educational, economic, and recreation exchanges.

"It's really special that we have that connection and I just feel that we have to keep it up," Ballina's Mayor Michael Loftus said.

Ballina is a community of about 10,000 people and, similar to Pittsfield, has a vibrant art scene and natural scenery. Even though the two cities are almost 3,000 miles away, Loftus displayed a photo of a local pothole to show that both places deal with the same everyday struggles.

"We also have potholes in Ireland and that's a diver, actually, in our potholes in Ireland," he said. "Whatever you do, please don't be criticizing. It's not just here that you have them."

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