TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
We, the undersigned organizations, strongly support S. 3418, the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act of 2020. As representatives of the conservation, environmental, government, open space, and business sectors, we believe that investment in predisaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and resilient infrastructure is good public policy that will save taxpayer dollars.
As America recovers from the current public health and economic crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has an important role to play to catalyze planning and spurring investment ahead of future disasters. Prioritizing smart, modern, and resilient lifeline critical infrastructure, including energy, health, and water, is critical to a thriving economy and healthy communities.
The bipartisan STORM Act would offer states and cities the needed flexibility to provide low interest loans for projects that have the greatest impact and reduce risks for companies and communities in their area. This legislation would be an important step towards improving resilience and planning for communities across the country. The historic floods of 2019 throughout the Mississippi River Basin, the record-breaking wildfire season of 2020 throughout the west, and the most active Atlantic hurricane season recorded make action on this legislation all the more urgent.
We call upon the Senate to act on this legislation as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Landscape Architects
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
City Parks Alliance
Ecological Restoration Business Association
Interstate Council on Water Policy
Mississippi Rivers Cities and Towns Initiative
National Recreation and Park Association
The American Institute of Architects
The Nature Conservancy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
