FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2018
BOSTON – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House of
Representatives on Wednesday, June 13th to pass legislation authorizing spending on
environmental programs. The bill, H.4599, also known as the Environmental Bond Bill,
authorizes over a billion dollars in funding to protect against the impacts of climate change and
conserve natural resources. The funding and policy proposed in this legislation will reach every
corner of the Commonwealth, from coastal infrastructure to agricultural preservation. The Bond
Bill also invests in water and air quality protection, municipal vulnerability preparedness grants,
and an electric vehicle incentive program. These are critical steps to making Massachusetts a
leader in global climate change solutions, and to preserving our community’s natural assets for
generations to come.
“Climate change and sea level rise are urgent issues that my community faces,” said
Representative Meschino. “I was proud to collaborate with my colleagues to ensure that the state
will be able to allocate the necessary funds to climate change mitigation and adaptation.”
Representative Meschino was able to obtain an authorization of $500,000 for a Regional Hazard
Mitigation Initiative for the towns of Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and Scituate. This initiative
would coordinate a prioritized regional hazard mitigation plan to improve collective hazard
planning, increase public safety, and streamline emergency response across the 3rd Plymouth
district. This legislation will ensure that we can protect our coastal communities from the
impacts of climate change.
