Sen. Jason Lewis Co-Sponsors Senate Climate Change Adaptation Legislation

State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) co-sponsored Senate Climate Change Adaptation Legislation, which passed the Massachusetts Senate and will now head to the state House of Representatives, according to the State Senator’s Office.

The comprehensive adaptation management action plan would address the consequences of climate change in Massachusetts.

According to the a press release from the State Senator’s Office, the comprehensive adaptation management action plan would “codify for current and future gubernatorial administrations the goals, priorities and principles for resiliency, preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the Commonwealth’s built and natural infrastructure.”

The legislation would also establish an advisory committee responsible for producing a report documenting the preparedness and vulnerabilities of the State’s emergency response, energy, transportation, communications, health and other systems, the Senator’s Office said.

The bill would also establish a grant program to aid in the development of regional adaptation plans.

Additionally, the legislation would create a coastal buy-back program, allowing the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to acquire, by voluntary purchase, property abutting areas subject to tides or barrier beaches or located in velocity zones of flood plain areas that contain structures repeatedly damaged by severe weather, according to the release.

Furthermore, an amendment to the bill was adopted, supporting solar growth, helping residents and municipalities lower electricity costs.

If passed by the State House of Representatives, the adaptation management action plan would go into effect in 2018 and be updated every 10 years.

For more information regarding the comprehensive adaptation management action plan, visit Senator Jason Lewis’ website.