Will Republicans who deny climate change hurt disaster-hit regions’ chances at getting federal relief dollars? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced earlier this year that it will only approve disaster preparedness funds for states that have leadership mitigation plans to address climate change.
This could mean trouble for states hit by natural disasters as a result from global warming.
It seems especially pertinent for states like Florida, which was hit by Hurricane Hermine last week, and Louisiana, which has dealt with widespread flooding over the past month.
I encourage everyone to work together and help your neighbors. pic.twitter.com/50SYE2VUkG
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 2, 2016
From 2010 to 2014, Florida received some $260 million in FEMA aid. Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 42 counties just last week before Hermine made landfall.
Of course, an unwritten ban was notoriously implemented after Gov. Scott took office on the use of the words “climate change” and “global warming” in any official communications or reports coming from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), a revelation reported last year by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, though denied by Scott.
According to former DEP attorney Christopher Byrd:
“We were told not to use the terms ‘climate change,’ ‘global warming’ or ‘sustainability.’ That message was communicated to me and my colleagues by our superiors in the Office of General Counsel.”
Additionally, congressman who deny the effects of climate change – and who voted against disaster funding for Superstorm Sandy in 2012 – have come under fire for mucking up the pursuit of relief funding to deal with flooding in their state.
Louisiana Reps. Steve Scalise and John Fleming and Sen. Bill Cassidy, all Republicans, signed on to a letter seeking a federal disaster declaration, but Louisiana news outlet The Advocate reports relief funding could hit a snag because these officials have not yet come out in favor of a supplemental funding package for FEMA.
Scalise did tell the outlet:
“I’ve been in touch with top FEMA officials as well as my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to make sure that the federal Disaster Relief Fund has enough remaining balance to help Louisiana families and businesses recover from this disaster.”
Ultimately, funding provided after a disaster strikes would get decided on a case-by-case basis. FEMA’s new policies would likely make the biggest impact on states needing funding before storms hit.
Natural Resources Defense Council attorney Becky Hammer told Inside Climate News:
“If a state has a climate denier governor that doesn’t want to accept a plan, that would risk mitigation work not getting done because of politics. The governor would be increasing the risk to citizens in that state.”
Environmental experts suggest that if governors and other officials from states that intend to plan for environmental disasters, it would be best to acknowledge what brings those disasters on.
Featured Image: Screenshot Via Twitter.
