Facing the Storm: NC Leaders Confront Climate Reality
As heating-fueled storms continue to grow stronger and more frequent, the divide over recognizing climate reality and denying it continues to grow. Two cases in point:
1) Gov. Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency in 13 North Carolina counties hit hard by flooding from Tropical Store Chantal.
2) Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Jackson joins the Attorneys General of 19 other states in suing the Trump Administration’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for terminating hundreds of grants for flood mitigation efforts.
Two NC leaders support efforts to meet the realities of climate change head on. Meanwhile, national politicians deny well-established science and undercut efforts to confront the climate crisis at every turn.
Climate Disaster: Tropical Storm Chantal
Tropical Storm Chantal hit North Carolina on July 6, with some impacted areas experiencing 9 to 12 inches of rainfall.
Some areas saw near-record high water levels, and more saw heavy flooding of highways and critical infrastructure. Following coordinated efforts to provide emergency assistance and immediate damage repair aid, Gov. Stein on July 17 declared a state of emergency for 13 central NC counties, to facilitate and support longer-term recovery efforts under the North Carolina Emergency Management Act.
“Tropical Storm Chantal cost some of our neighbors their lives and others their livelihood and property. We must do everything we can to support them as they get back on their feet,” said Stein. “This State of Emergency will help get North Carolinians the support they need and enable the state to seek out potential funding to help communities rebuild.”
The State of Emergency declaration covers Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Wake Counties.
Lawsuit To Bring Emergency Funds to NC
Meanwhile, NC Attorney General (A.G.) Jeff Jackson joined the Attorneys General of 19 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration FEMA’s attempt to cancel a long-running grant program designed to help communities prevent damage from natural disasters, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program. FEMA cancelled some grants already in progress and refused to fund others despite funding approved by Congress.
Legislation passed during the first Trump Administration bolstered this program, which was established in 2000. Congress and President Joe Biden boosted this program by a billion dollars through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act – which requires FEMA to make available at least $200 million annually for disaster mitigation grants for the 2022-2026 fiscal years.
NC Communities Lose $40.5 Million in Emergency Funds
One of the most noteworthy grants cancelled in North Carolina communities includes a $22.5 million grant to the City of Salisbury to relocate its pump station. The pump – located on the Yadkin River – must be moved to higher ground so that it can be safely accessed during storms to maintain a drinking water supply. The existing pump station is increasingly flooded and can be surrounded by flood waters for days at a time after storms.
Other cancelled projects impact Hillsborough, Gastonia, Leland, and Mount Pleasant, totaling $18 million in project funding.
A.G. Jackson Stands Up for NC Communities
“This program, which the President helped establish and strengthen, was a lifeline for our towns and cities trying to make sure every resident has clean and reliable water to drink, a functioning sewage system, and measures in place to prevent the next storm from devastating their communities,” said A.G. Jackson. “In North Carolina, we know what it takes to rebuild from a disaster. This money helps us better prepare for future storms. FEMA was wrong to break the law and cancel this money, which will save lives. I’m taking it to court to win these funds back for our state.”
Jackson also pointed out that restoration of BRIC funding has widespread bipartisan support, including in North Carolina.
The litigation against FEMA for cancellation of the BRIC funding is also supported by the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and the governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Take Climate Action Now!
Join the fight for climate action by contacting your legislators today! Senate Bill (S.B.) 266 could gut our climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2030. An independent study shows removing this interim goal will cost NC energy ratepayers $23 billion more by 2050.
Advocate for affordable, clean energy by contacting your legislator today and asking them to oppose S.B. 266!
