$2.5M GREEN WINDFALL
Bloomberg Challenge funds Hub enviro cause
Boston’s environmental efforts have landed it some green as the city plans to use a multimillion-dollar grant to fund further carbon-reduction efforts.
The city is receiving up to $2.5 million from the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, which awarded that amount of money to each of 20 different cities around the world.
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh intends to put the money toward a range of initiatives meant to make building projects more environmentally friendly and cut down on emissions from cars.
The includes making strides on previously announced plans to improve biking and pedestrian infrastructure, and putting some more money toward the city’s “slow streets” program, which has been adding trafficslowing measures to various neighborhoods over the past couple of years.
Walsh also plans on putting the money toward electricvehicle infrastructure. In addition, some of the funds will go towards helping existing and future buildings become more environmentally friendly.
A Walsh spokeswoman yesterday said the city is still working out the specifics of what will be done with the cash.
This grant comes just a few days after Walsh unveiled a plan called “Resilient Boston Harbor” that’s intended to protect the city’s 47-mile coastline from what scientists predict will be rising water levels and more frequently intense storms.
The plan calls for a series of buffers, sea walls, elevated landscapes and open space around East Boston, downtown, South Boston, Charlestown and Dorchester.
The money comes from a charitable organization under the umbrella of organizations owned by billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.