NOAA Proposes $575 Million for Coastal Climate Resilience

The U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA have proposed $575 million in funding for 19 projects aimed at increasing climate resilience in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories. This initiative, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, is the largest climate resilience investment in the Commerce Department’s history. The funding, part of NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts and Communities Initiative, is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized the importance of this investment in combating climate change and supporting underserved communities. The competitive grant program, NOAA’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, received an overwhelming response, with nearly 870 letters of intent and requests totaling over $16 billion. The program aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, aiming to ensure that 40% of the benefits from federal investments reach disadvantaged communities.

The funding is divided into planning and capacity-building awards and implementation awards. Planning awards focus on enhancing regional partnerships, engaging marginalized communities, assessing climate risks, and building capacity for climate adaptation. Implementation awards support large-scale projects like land acquisition, natural infrastructure development, public infrastructure resilience, and policy updates.

Key locations and funding amounts include Alaska ($78.9 million), California ($71.1 million), Hawaii ($68.4 million), Louisiana ($59.8 million), and New Jersey ($72.5 million). NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad highlighted the program’s focus on equity, inclusion, and regional coordination, ensuring that communities are better prepared for climate impacts.