On Aug. 28, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu announced the allocation of nearly $3 billion in climate resilience, according to a press release. The funding will enhance the resilience of communities across the nation to climate change and extreme weather events.
“Our local and community partners are the first responders when extreme weather events unfold, and they are on the front lines of building our nation’s resilience to the impacts of climate change,” said Secretary Mayorkas, according to the press release. “By investing today in strengthening our critical infrastructure, particularly for the most marginalized and vulnerable communities, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is going to keep Americans and their communities safer and more resilient."
Per the press release, this initiative aligns with Pres. Biden's comprehensive Investing in America program to fortify communities across the country against the rising impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. These selections are borne out of competitive grant programs and stand as a response to the substantial threat posed by climate-fueled hazards. The overarching Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with a specific focus on FEMA funding, totals nearly $7 billion, aimed at aiding communities in preemptively reducing their susceptibility to these critical environmental challenges.
The Investing in America agenda has significantly increased funding for FEMA's annual resilience grants. Funding has surged from $700 million at the start of his tenure to an impressive $3 billion this year, allowing FEMA to broaden the geographical extent of its support. The increase in funding safeguards more of the nation's communities and the current selection of projects spans 23 states.
These selections underscore the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to equity and environmental justice, focusing on aiding the most marginalized communities in erecting resilience against climate-related threats. Corresponding with the President's Justice40 Initiative, this effort seeks to ensure that 40% of the benefits derived from specific Federal investments are directed towards disadvantaged communities grappling with pollution and underinvestment.
