Three US Congress bills address extreme heat.
Congress Takes Action to Address Extreme Heat
Congress has stepped up to address the heat dome that has engulfed the Southwestern United States this summer with the introduction of three new bills aimed at assisting struggling citizens.
Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2023
Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced the Excess Urban Heat Migration Act of 2023 in April. This bipartisan legislation aims to allocate funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for grant programs that will help cool down urban areas.
The grants can be utilized to plant more trees, providing much-needed shade, or to establish and support cooling centers that offer shelter and air conditioning, among other resources.
“Phoenix summers are becoming increasingly hotter, and as temperatures rise, spending time outdoors becomes more dangerous,” stated Gallego. “In urban areas, the impact of rising temperatures is exacerbated by a lack of shade and extensive heat-absorbing concrete. Unfortunately, it is often our lower-income communities that bear the brunt of this extreme urban heat. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill, which addresses this deadly issue, keeps Phoenix cooler, and prioritizes the hardest-hit communities.”
The bill proposes allocating $30 million per year until 2030 for the grant program, with a guarantee that at least 75% of the funds will go to low-income communities. However, it currently lacks support from any Republicans.
Stay Cool Act of 2023
Another bill led by Democrats, the Stay Cool Act, reintroduced by Watson Coleman in June, includes provisions for heat studies, funding for cooling centers, and the implementation of cooling systems such as wading pools and misting stations. The bill also aims to revise public housing rules to ensure residents have access to air conditioning.
“Extreme heat is claiming lives in our communities, and it will only worsen with climate change,” emphasized Watson Coleman. ”For many Americans, enduring unexpected heat emergencies is not just an inconvenience or annoyance; it is a life-threatening natural disaster exacerbated by climate change that demands action from the federal government. The Stay Cool Act treats extreme heat with the urgency it deserves.”
The bill also proposes the creation of a national ranking system for extreme heat and directs the National Weather Service to study the impact of naming heat waves in a similar manner to hurricanes and tropical storms. This study aims to provide proper warnings to the public for preparation and appropriate response to heat waves. Similar to the Excess Urban Heat Migration Act, the Stay Cool Act does not currently have any Republican support.
Extreme Heat Emergency Act
The bipartisan Extreme Heat Emergency Act, introduced by Gallego in June, seeks to include extreme heat on FEMA’s list of major disasters. By being added to the list, FEMA would be authorized to provide federal assistance to states in dealing with extreme heat.
While disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, tidal waves, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, mudslides, snowstorms, and droughts are already on the list, extreme heat is not currently recognized. This bill aims to rectify that.
“Every summer, we experience hotter and longer heat waves in the Valley,” Gallego explained. “Despite the often deadly effects of this heat, Arizonans are left to deal with the impacts on their own, depleting their resources. By adding extreme heat to the list of major disasters, my bill will help provide Arizona with the federal assistance and resources they need.”
Although the bill has bipartisan support, some members of Congress have raised concerns about whether FEMA should be responsible for assisting states in combating extreme weather.
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