The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will compensate local and state governments for energy efficiency upgrades to school and hospital facilities in the wake of natural disasters, the agency announced Tuesday,
Under the new policy, FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program will offer funding for net-zero energy installations including solar panels and heat pumps for public facilities damaged by extreme weather and other disasters.
Last year, the U.S. experienced a record 28 disasters with damages of at least $1 billion, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). More than 80 disasters have been declared across FEMA’s 10 regions in January.
“As the increase of extreme weather hazards become more severe due to climate change, we need to adapt the way we are helping communities rebuild post-disaster,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a statement. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Inflation Reduction Act, FEMA will now cover the costs of net-zero energy projects since they are the single most effective measure FEMA can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the climate crisis.”
You can read more about this on the NY Times website here.
