Senator Collins Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Climate Resilience Legislation

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) co-sponsored the National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act, a bipartisan bill that would streamline the federal response to climate hazards that threaten human health and well-being, critical infrastructure, and natural systems.

The increasingly severe weather events of recent years are a stark reminder that frontline communities are at increasing risk. In 2021 alone, damages from extreme weather in the U.S. exceeded $145 billion. At-risk populations also face increasing harm from slow-moving hazards like sea level rise and permafrost thaw, which are often overlooked in comparison to punctuated disaster events but can also have a significant impact.

“Climate change has serious implications for Maine’s economy as well as the livelihoods of people across my state, including fishermen, farmers, and those employed in the forest products industry,” said Senator Collins. “As communities deal with the escalating costs of climate change, it is more important than ever that we create a robust national plan to improve resiliency to help those on the frontlines. By creating a whole-of-government approach, this bipartisan legislation will help shape federal policy based on what is known about climate risks and strengthen our nation’s commitment to tackling the consequences of this growing threat.”

The National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act would:

• Require the development of a whole-of-government National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy, which would ensure a unified vision for the U.S. government’s response to climate hazards and direct the swift implementation of equitable climate resilience solutions across federal agencies;

• Authorize a Chief Resilience Officer in the White House to direct national resilience efforts and lead the development of the U.S. Resilience Strategy; and

• Authorize interagency resilience Working Groups and a non-federal Partners Council with representatives from frontline communities to strengthen strategic development and facilitate communication between federal agencies and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

The legislation was introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and María Salazar (R-FL). In addition to Senator Collins, the bill was co-sponsored by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) as well as Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).

The bill is supported by the American Society of Adaptation Professionals, Environmental Defense Fund, Pew Charitable Trusts, the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council, American Conservation Coalition, American Flood Coalition Action, and C2ES.

Click HERE to read the bill text and HERE to read the one-page summary.

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