Climate Change Preparation Plan Announced by Gov. Patrick as Threats to Bay State on Rise

BOSTON - Acknowledging the growing threat that climate change poses to the Bay State, Governor Deval Patrick unveiled a $50m preparedness plan January 14.

It’s expected that $40m will be allocated to a municipal grant program – which will enable towns and cities to avail of resources to upgrade energy services – and $10m will go towards coastal infrastructure and dam repair.

In a press statement to Open Media Boston, the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said, “Governor Patrick has been clear that this comprehensive plan to address climate change is a foundation for future preparedness measures. “

"In fact, some of the initiatives within the plan call for assessing what is needed to truly protect our transportation and built infrastructure across Massachusetts,” it continues.

According to a report by The Boston Harbor Association called Preparing for the Rising Tide, coastal flooding might be “reaching 6 feet by 2100 and continuing past that for centuries.”

It outlines significant dangers faced in the Boston area as a result of climate change, particularly flooding due to rising sea levels and future storms, such as Hurricane Sandy, which devastated parts of New York and New Jersey in October 2012.

The report also states that “climate change-related coastal flooding is already a reality we need to manage for, and that such flooding is predicted to increase over time …”

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the $50m grant program will be aimed at vulnerabilities in public health, transportation, and the state’s infrastructure, such as the energy grid.

The Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation will assess the vulnerability of its facilities, and develop proposals to adapt to climate change by 2015, while the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation will also assess the threat to parkways and roadways.

The plan also calls for resources to help local boards of health, the monitoring of diseases in oyster and mosquito populations, and an assessment of the state’s drinking water.

A state climatologist will also be appointed to help state agencies and municipalities to understand the effects of climate change; along with a website with “climate preparedness resources” aimed at the general public.

The Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said that this plan is “laying the groundwork for future administrations to continue investing in Massachusetts’ safety and resiliency.”