Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Matt Gaetz (FL-01), introduced legislation supported by both Republicans and Democrats to bolster America’s infrastructure and systems against the risks of extreme weather. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have also introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

“I’m proud to introduce another bill in Congress that is supported by Republicans and Democrats alike. The effects of climate change have already cost American taxpayers billions, and the threats are only growing,” said Rep. Cartwright. “If we are going to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, we need to have the best data available and we need to use that data effectively. This bill will help save taxpayer dollars by equipping us with information to better protect our homes, businesses, and economy against the risks of extreme weather.”

Damage from climate change-related disasters cost the federal government at least $91 billion in 2018 alone, and these costs are expected to rise in the years ahead. The Built to Last Act would help mitigate these costs by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate an effort to make a consistent, authoritative set of forward-looking climate change data available to standards-developing organizations (SDOs).

SDOs set building codes, test methods, voluntary certifications, and other standards to ensure that work is performed, and products are safely developed to the high level of quality that the American people have come to expect. However, a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that most SDOs only look at historic data, and don’t look ahead at worsening future weather conditions.

Rep. Cartwright requested that the GAO issue a report regarding how the federal government could facilitate the use of forward-looking climate change data by SDOs. The resulting report, issued in November 2016, recommended that the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the director of NIST, should convene an interagency effort to improve federal agencies’ participation in the standard-setting process and to improve the use of climate data in these efforts. The Built to Last Act would codify these recommendations by directing:

• National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to coordinate with the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG) to convene a working group of relevant federal agencies to identify a set of authoritative climate information.
• NIST to disseminate pertinent information and data to SDOs.
• NIST to provide technical assistance to SDOs and federal agencies that are incorporating the information into their standards frameworks.

“Climate change threatens to alter the weather patterns across our country, bringing stronger storms to our communities.  Our building standards and infrastructure need to reflect this new reality,” said Congresswoman Fletcher. “That’s why I’m proud to join Congressman Cartwright to introduce the bipartisan Built to Last Act.  This bill will ensure that business and communities have the data to account for the impacts of climate change, which will help improve the resiliency of our infrastructure.”

“Over the last year FEMA has declared over 100 disasters due to severe storms, flooding or extreme weather events,” said Rep. Bacon. “With weather patterns changing, we should be looking to include climate and weather patterns when developing building codes so that buildings can better withstand these conditions.”

“There is a feasible way forward to mitigate the harm climate change presents to our planet in the coming decades: the Built To Last Act,” Rep. Gaetz said. “This legislation asks NOAA and other government agencies to provide current, reliable climate data to standards-developing organizations. This common-sense proposal will equip America’s federal agencies, builders, and communities with current, relevant climate information, helping them mitigate future climate risks. The Built to Last Act is an opportunity to effect positive, multigenerational change for millions of Americans. It’s time to start thinking about the future and stop working in the past.”

“In recent years, communities in Wisconsin have been hit particularly hard by severe weather events and flooding that has washed out roads, closed local businesses and damaged highways and bridges,” said Senator Baldwin. “As severe weather becomes more and more frequent, it’s important we equip states and local communities with the modern climate information and technical assistance they need to build stronger roads, bridges and facilities that can withstand the next storm or natural disaster. This reform will not only ensure we are better protecting our infrastructure, but it will also save taxpayer dollars.”

Additional co-sponsors of this legislation in the U.S. House are: Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Dan Lipinski (IL-03), Stephen Lynch (MA-08) and Darren Soto (FL-09).