Samantha Maldonado, senior reporter for THE CITY, sheds light on the recent federal cuts to FEMA that threaten over $300 million for New York City's climate resiliency. She discusses how these cuts hinder crucial infrastructure projects, increasing vulnerability to disasters like Hurricane Ida. The conversation also highlights the flooding challenges in Queens and the importance of cloudburst initiatives, while tackling the tension between housing development and resilient infrastructure. Maldonado emphasizes the need for accountability in fossil fuel use to combat climate change.
Cuts to FEMA funding threaten over $300 million in essential climate resilience projects, jeopardizing New York City's infrastructure against severe weather.
The Trump administration's executive order challenges state climate laws, complicating accountability for polluters and impacting environmental protection efforts in New York.
Deep dives
Impact of FEMA Funding Cuts
The recent cuts to FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program threaten over $300 million in climate resilience funding for New York City, crucial for supporting infrastructure projects designed to mitigate flooding. Many of these projects, which span all five boroughs, include developments such as flood barriers and upgraded stormwater systems, essential for protecting neighborhoods from extreme weather events. City officials have described these cuts as devastating, particularly because some projects were already underway, including the Tottenville shoreline project aimed at safeguarding Staten Island. This loss of federal financial backing raises concerns about the city's ability to continue its climate adaptation efforts amidst growing and increasingly severe climate challenges.
Significance of Cloudburst Projects in Queens
Cloudburst projects are critical for flood-prone areas like inland Queens, where infrastructure shortcomings exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall. These projects, which incorporate natural elements into the urban landscape, are designed to manage excess water by capturing millions of gallons to prevent overwhelming sewer systems. With federal funding cuts jeopardizing several cloudburst projects, the potential benefits for communities—approximately 200,000 residents per project—may be at risk. The delayed implementation of these initiatives highlights the urgent need for financial support to address the growing threat of climate change in urban areas.
Legal Challenges to State Climate Legislation
The Trump administration's executive order aimed at halting state-level climate laws, such as New York's Climate Superfund Act, complicates the fight against climate change at the state level. The Climate Superfund Act mandates that polluters, particularly fossil fuel companies, be held accountable for the environmental damage caused by their emissions, with raised funds directed towards climate adaptation initiatives. This new law is already facing opposition, with lawsuits filed by multiple states seeking to protect fossil fuel industries from regulatory accountability. As state officials assert their authority to enforce these laws, the tension between federal directives and state rights could significantly influence the future of environmental protections in places like New York.
Samantha Maldonado, senior reporter for THE CITY, where she covers climate, resiliency, housing and development, explains how recent Trump administration cuts to Federal Emergency Management Agency threatens over $300 million in climate resiliency for New York City-specific efforts, plus a new executive order that takes aim at state programs meant to charge polluters in order to drive down greenhouse gas emissions.
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