"As the United States staggers through another year of devastating wildfires, drought, storms and other calamities, the infrastructure bill before Congress would pour major resources into a response. The measure agreed to over the weekend includes billions of dollars to better prepare the country for the effects of global warming, in what could be the largest investment in climate resilience in American history.
Much of the money would go toward activities that are already underway, but which experts say the government needs to do more of as the threats from climate change increase.
For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would get an additional $11.6 billion in construction funds for projects like flood control and river dredging. The Forest Service would get billions of dollars to remove flammable vegetation from the lands it manages, in efforts to make wildfires less damaging.
Other funding would go toward new approaches. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would get $492 million to map and forecast inland and coastal flooding, including “next-generation water modeling activities.” NOAA would also get $50 million to predict, model and forecast wildfires."
Christopher Flavelle reports for the New York Times August 2, 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"$1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Pours Money Into Long-Delayed Needs" (New York Times)
"The Winners and Losers in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill" (Bloomberg Environment)
"Five Key Energy Components Of The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill" (The Hill)
"Carbon Capture Eyed for Reconciliation After Infrastructure Wins" (Bloomberg Environment)
"Bipartisan Deal Attracts Energy, Environment Amendments" (E&E News)
"Infrastructure Bill Protects Forests For Climate Resilience" (E&E News)
"Senators Eye Deal On Infrastructure Package Amendments" (E&E News)
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