Mass. Gov. Unveils $50 Million Climate Change Plan

Deval Patrick says "The question is not whether we need to act. We're past that"

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick took the wraps off a $50 million plan Tuesday that he says will help prepare Massachusetts for the challenges posed by climate change on public health, energy, transportation and basic infrastructure.

The initiatives, unveiled by the governor at the New England Aquarium, include a $40 million grant program by the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and towns to shore up protections around energy services.

Another $10 million will be spent on what Patrick called critical coastal infrastructure and dam repair. That includes $1 million in municipal grants to reduce or eliminate risk associated with coastal storms and sea level rise and another $1 million for "green infrastructure" projects like beach and dune enhancement and salt marsh retention.