Thompson Secures $600M+ for California’s Climate Resilience Boost

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) expressed his support for the recent announcement made by President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The leaders confirmed that more than $600 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be distributed to communities throughout California and across the US for climate resilience projects.

Climate Crisis Demands Immediate Attention

Thompson highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, stating, “The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today and it demands our immediate attention.” He went on to emphasize the significance of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, both of which have led to investments in climate and grid resilience programs in California and across the country.

First-Ever Climate Resilience Regional Challenge

The funding announced by Biden and Newsom is part of a first-ever Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, aiming to help coastal and Great Lakes communities, including tribal communities in those regions, become more resilient to extreme weather and other impacts of the climate crisis. The challenge supports innovative coastal resilience and adaptation solutions, such as building natural infrastructure, planning for community-led relocation, and protecting public access to coastal natural resources. These solutions aim to safeguard communities and ecosystems from sea level rise, tidal flooding, hurricanes, storm surge, and other severe climate impacts.

Investment Details and Benefits

The challenge is part of the $2.6 billion in resilience funding for NOAA included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Furthermore, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing $2.3 billion in states, territories, tribes, and the District of Columbia over the next five years to strengthen grid resilience across the country.

As part of this investment, California is set to receive $67.4 million in the coming days to modernize its electric grid and reduce impacts from extreme weather, natural disasters, and wildfires, as well as to ensure the reliability of the state’s power sector. The state will also have the opportunity to apply for additional funding in the future.

Baylands Nature Preserve Visit

On Monday, President Biden and Gov. Newsom visited the Baylands Nature Preserve, one of the largest tracts of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay. The preserve is part of the Strategy to Advance Flood protection, Ecosystems, and Recreation along the San Francisco Bay Project, a flood and sea-level resilience project that aims to protect almost 1,600 properties and restore approximately 600 acres of marsh from former salt ponds.

Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties.