Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, announced $1.8 million in coastal resiliency grants to 19 communities to undertake projects to “help address [climate] issues in a pragmatic and proactive way.”
In a press release, Baker said Massachusetts is “taking a leading role in understanding and preparing for climate change impacts like sea level rising and coastal flooding.” Projects will include the creation of “living shorelines,” an alternative to seawalls to combat flooding and sea level rise, as well as helping communities assess the best strategies for minimizing damages expected by climate change impacts.
Earlier this summer, Baker signed into law an energy bill requiring the Commonwealth to to solicit long-term contracts lasting 15 or 20 years to procure 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power and another 1,200 megawatts of hydropower or other renewable resources, such as land-based wind or solar.