Obama emphasizes tribal, rural electric efforts at White House climate change event
July 16, 2014 | 06:33 PM
President Barack Obama today emphasized his administration’s efforts with Indian tribes and rural electricity to help the country cope with climate change.
At a meeting of the president’s task force on climate preparedness and resilience in the State Dining Room, Obama announced a new $1 billion program to help communities with infrastructure related to climate change.
“We’re going to do more, including new data and 3D maps to help state, local officials in communities understand which areas and which infrastructure are at risk as a consequence of climate change,” he said.
“We’re going to help communities improve their electric grids, build stronger seawalls and natural barriers, and protect their water supplies. We’re also going to invest in stronger and more resilient infrastructure.”
In a fact sheet, the White House noted that Interior Department today launched a $10 million Federal-Tribal Climate Resilience Partnership and Technical Assistance Program, and said that Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will establish an interagency group to provide tribes with data and information, improve federal collaboration, and assist with climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The fact sheet also noted that the Agriculture Department today announced loans totaling $236.3 million for eight states to support improved rural electric infrastructure.
USDA said in a news release that nearly $20 million will be used for smart grid improvements — the application of technologies designed to increase the reliability of electric power by helping utilities better manage the electric grid, such as during peak demand, to improve operational efficiencies.
The loans will build or improve more than 3,700 miles of line in rural areas, the USAD said, and will go to rural electric systems in California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia.
USDA noted that its role in rural electricity goes back to the New Deal and that reliable electricity is considered vital for rural economic development.
▪ White House — Fact Sheet: Taking Action to Support State, Local and Tribal Leaders as They Prepare Communities for the Impacts of Climate Change
At a meeting of the president’s task force on climate preparedness and resilience in the State Dining Room, Obama announced a new $1 billion program to help communities with infrastructure related to climate change.
“We’re going to do more, including new data and 3D maps to help state, local officials in communities understand which areas and which infrastructure are at risk as a consequence of climate change,” he said.
“We’re going to help communities improve their electric grids, build stronger seawalls and natural barriers, and protect their water supplies. We’re also going to invest in stronger and more resilient infrastructure.”
In a fact sheet, the White House noted that Interior Department today launched a $10 million Federal-Tribal Climate Resilience Partnership and Technical Assistance Program, and said that Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will establish an interagency group to provide tribes with data and information, improve federal collaboration, and assist with climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The fact sheet also noted that the Agriculture Department today announced loans totaling $236.3 million for eight states to support improved rural electric infrastructure.
USDA said in a news release that nearly $20 million will be used for smart grid improvements — the application of technologies designed to increase the reliability of electric power by helping utilities better manage the electric grid, such as during peak demand, to improve operational efficiencies.
The loans will build or improve more than 3,700 miles of line in rural areas, the USAD said, and will go to rural electric systems in California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia.
USDA noted that its role in rural electricity goes back to the New Deal and that reliable electricity is considered vital for rural economic development.
▪ White House — Fact Sheet: Taking Action to Support State, Local and Tribal Leaders as They Prepare Communities for the Impacts of Climate Change
