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Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2023
3/18/2024, 3:08 PM
Summary of Bill S 1379
The bill proposes several measures to mitigate the effects of excess urban heat, including the development of heat action plans by local governments, the creation of green spaces and cool roofs to reduce heat absorption, and the implementation of heat warning systems to alert residents of dangerous heat levels.
Additionally, the bill calls for increased research and data collection on urban heat islands to better understand the causes and effects of this phenomenon. It also seeks to provide funding for low-income communities to implement heat mitigation strategies and improve access to cooling centers during heat waves. Overall, the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2023 aims to protect vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of urban heat islands and promote sustainable, climate-resilient urban development practices.
Congressional Summary of S 1379
Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2023
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grant program for state, tribal, territorial, and local governments; metropolitan planning organizations; and certain nonprofits (or consortia of nonprofits) to carry out activities to mitigate or manage heat in urban areas.
Eligible activities under the program include the implementation, construction, or maintenance of tree planting, green roofs, shade structures, cooling centers, and community gardens, as well as outreach to the community and education efforts.
HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development must coordinate on the program with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Program Office, and the Forest Service.
