matt beaton shelburne falls

Massachusetts energy and environment secretary Matthew Beaton announcing a new 'Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness' grant program in Shelburne Falls on April 19, 2017.

(Mary Serreze photo)

BUCKLAND -- Greeted by pipeline protesters and backed by state and local officials, state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew A. Beaton appeared at the Bridge of Flowers on Wednesday to announce a new climate change grant program for Massachusetts cities and towns.

The "Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness" program will provide direct funds for hazard assessment and planning to mitigate climate change and increase resiliency, said Beaton. The "MVP communities" will then be eligible for further grants and technical assistance.

The setting for Beaton's announcement was apt, as only five years ago a raging Deerfield River, powered by Hurricane Irene, wreaked havoc in the village of Shelburne Falls, which straddles the towns of Buckland and Shelburne.

"It is absolutely breathtaking to see the power of nature and the effects of climate change, and this community saw it more than anybody else," said Beaton.

Beaton described the new grant program as "incredibly needed and long overdue," and said Gov. Charlie Baker wants to partner with local communities to address climate-related problems.

He described Baker as a "national leader" and pointed to Executive Order 569, signed by the governor in December, which established an integrated climate change strategy for the state. He also pointed to recent legislation to import large amounts of renewable energy into the state.

EEA secretary Matt Beaton visits Shelburne Falls 17 Gallery: EEA secretary Matt Beaton visits Shelburne Falls

He introduced Kate Theoharides, the state's climate change coordinator, and credited her with moving the new grant program forward. The program will initially be funded with $500,000, she said.

Cities and towns across Massachusetts will now be able to complete community-led vulnerability assessments, then develop "action-oriented resiliency plans," said Beaton.

He said the effort builds upon Lt. Governor Karyn Polito's "community compacts" program, upon coastal resiliency grants and the Green Communities Act.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue, said Beaton. It affects "our health and safety, our food supply, our great outdoors, our communities and our economy."

Among those who spoke were state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and Buckland Select Board chairman John Riggan.

Riggan welcomed the dignitaries and noted that Buckland is still reeling financially from the impact of Irene. Hinds and Kulik said they are working to address the issue and noted the increase in severe weather events caused by a warming planet.

Hinds, who grew up in Buckland, spoke about Irene, and also made note of a recent tornado that caused major destruction in nearby Conway.

He said he will "never forget walking into Conway Town Hall" on the morning of the tornado and seeing local and regional officials "dividing up the tasks and working seamlessly together" to deal with a major climate-related crisis.

"Climate change is real," said Hinds. He said the new program will provide resources for towns "that are struggling every day just to make ends meet."

Kulik noted that the program will bring resources in to cash-strapped communities, and praised the Baker administration for forging partnerships with municipalities.

Kulik, a longtime environmentalist, drew cheers when he recognized "so many familiar faces from the anti-NED battle," a reference to Northeast Energy Direct, a 420-mile natural gas pipeline once planned by Kinder Morgan.

Kulik thanked the activists, and acknowledged their current fight against the Connecticut Expansion, a separate Kinder Morgan project that would cross parts of Berkshire County. Federal regulators this month issued a final "authorization to construct" the pipeline, but opponents still hope to stop it.

Beaton, who has expressed support for increasing the region's natural gas supply, has long been criticized by pipeline activists who oppose fossil fuels.

On Wednesday, he walked away with a gift under his arm.

As he wound up his speech, Felicia Mednick of Amherst stepped from the crowd and handed him a copy of The Lorax, a children's book by Dr. Seuss. The book tells of a creature who "speaks for the trees."

Mednick asked Beaton to "be a hero," stated that "natural gas methane is not clean" and said "Otis State Park is protected by Article 97" -- a probable reference to the Otis State Forest, which would be traversed by the Connecticut Expansion pipeline.

As for Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which requires legislative approval for the loss of state conservation land, a judge ruled last year that it is pre-empted by the U.S. Natural Gas Act, which gives eminent domain powers to pipeline developers.

Beaton thanked Mednick for the book and said he would read it to his children.

Beaton praised "beautiful Western Massachusetts" and cited his fondness for mountain biking and fly fishing. "It really is a special part of the commonwealth," he said.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com