NORTHAMPTON — On Thursday, the commonwealth announced the availability of $10 million in funding for Massachusetts communities to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The announcement was made by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito during an event at City Hall. The $10 million will go to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, established by executive order by the governor in 2017 to help communities assess and adapt to the challenges of climate change.
“Communities across the commonwealth have witnessed firsthand the impacts of climate change, and through the MVP Program our administration continues to demonstrate our commitment to supporting cities and towns in preparing for the challenges ahead,” said Gov. Charlie Baker, in a release from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
“Our significant new funding proposal will ensure all communities can begin making investments in strategies that protect residents and natural resources and contribute to strong economic growth throughout the state,” said Polito, in the same release.
The money will specifically go to MVP Action Grants, which help cities and towns fund specific projects to address climate change issues identified by communities through their MVP planning processes.
“We see a lot of need and a lot of excitement from communities,” said Assistant Secretary of Climate Change Kathleen Theoharides.
To apply for a grant, communities must be designated as “MVP communities.” Theoharides said that in the first two years, 156 communities applied for the designation. She expects all 156 will have received their designations by June 30 of this year.
Last year, Northampton received a $400,000 MVP Action Grant to design infrastructure to divert stormwater and prevent flooding, while Belchertown received $151,437 in action grant money.
“We are in the midst of a climate crisis so these grants will be particularly important to help our community while the Legislature takes up important issues like carbon tax and lifting the net solar metering cap so we can truly mitigate climate change,” said Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs release.
In 2017, the commonwealth provided $692,000 for planning grants, while $2,914,000 was provided for planning grants in 2018 and the same year $2,453,000 was provided for action grants.
One million dollars in MVP Planning Grant money will also be available to municipalities looking for the MVP designation through May 4.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.