As Climate Change Continues to Increase Costs of Disasters, Senator Hassan Highlights Importance of Investing in Flood Mitigation During Senate Hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan today highlighted the importance of investing in flood mitigation during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. This comes after communities across the Granite State experienced flash flooding this summer.

To watch the Senator’s questioning during the hearing, click here.

“Climate change is increasing the cost of disaster response and recovery. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, otherwise known as NOAA, tells us that 2020 set numerous records: 22 extreme weather and climate events which each caused $1 billion or more in losses,” said Senator Hassan. “Recent disasters – like the flooding that impacted New Hampshire communities this summer - underscore the need for action to safeguard the nation’s infrastructure, protect businesses and communities, and save taxpayer dollars.”

Senator Hassan asked Jerry Hancock, Stormwater and Floodplain Programs Coordinator for the City of Ann Arbor, to discuss the importance of investing to prepare for more frequent flooding events brought about by climate change. Hancock stated that it would be helpful if federal funding were more consistent.

Senator Hassan is working to address climate change and address its impacts in New Hampshire and across the country. Senator Hassan successfully led efforts to secure significant federal funding to strengthen coastal resiliency efforts in the bipartisan infrastructure package that passed the Senate. The funding includes $492 million for the NOAA National Coastal Resiliency Fund and $491 million for the NOAA Community-Based Restoration Project.

The Senator also led a number of her colleagues in reintroducing bipartisan legislation to support and expand programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a collaborative effort across 11 states including New Hampshire that uses market-based tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. Additionally, Senator Hassan’s bipartisan Battery Storage Innovation Act – which was signed into law as part of the December government funding package – expands the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program to include supporting the deployment of battery storage technology. Better battery technology will help increase the use of renewable energy sources and eliminate reliability gaps throughout the day.

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