Climate Change Studies In The Berkshires

It seemed like winter dragged on forever this year.

A handful of Berkshire communities have won grants to study the impacts of climate change. The Berkshire Eagle reports that according to Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, the winter's nor'easters, like the one that covered North Adams in 30 inches of snow March 7th proved how important it is to be prepared for a changing climate.

According to a May 29th release issued by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the communities will assess the ways in which they are susceptible to climate change and develop resiliency plans.

Gov. Charlie Baker's office announced that 82 cities and towns will receive a total of $2 million through the program, the product of a 2016 executive order signed by Baker that implores the state to address climate change.

The awards were $22,000 to Dalton, $30,000 to North Adams, $35,500 to Pittsfield, $20,000 to Sandisfield and $22,000 to Sheffield.  An additional $3 million has been set aside.

Towns that complete the program will be eligible to win further grant funding to implement work identified by each community.

For North Adams, addressing climate change is a component of its Vision 2030 master plan.