Jayapal Helps Secure More Than $75 Million to Support Climate Resilience Efforts Across Washington State
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced $75,587,097 in federal funding for two projects in Washington State to address the impacts of climate change and improve the state’s resilience efforts. These funds were established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which Jayapal proudly supported, and will assist the region in implementing new climate projects and bringing together organizations to better respond to the climate crisis.
“I’m thrilled to see NOAA recommending more than $75 million in funding for Washington State to address the impacts of climate change,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “This transformative investment will support the Washington State Department of Ecology and King County’s work to accelerate climate resilience efforts throughout our region. Both projects will strengthen regional coalitions by bringing together stakeholders from Tribes, local government, academic institutions, nonprofits, and state agencies to reduce vulnerability from coastal hazards and advance our state’s preparedness efforts. I was proud to directly support Washington State’s application and to have championed the Inflation Reduction Act — which funded the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge — in Congress. With this investment, our state will continue to lead the way in climate action, protect communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened by climate injustice, and take vital steps to save our planet and our people.”
“This project represents an incredible statewide effort to coordinate resilience across Washington’s coastal communities,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA is proud to award this funding to further Washington’s goals of restored coastal landscapes, reliable infrastructure, and climate-ready communities.”
This announcement includes $73,587,134 for the Washington State Coastal Climate Resilience Initiative, a group of state and local agencies, Tribes, academic institutions, and nonprofits dedicated to addressing the impacts of climate change. Their projects include habitat and shoreline restoration, stormwater drainage improvements, and road realignment. The funding they receive will be used to advance project planning and designing, grow their climate-informed workforce, and strengthen regional coalitions to continue their successful record of equitable coastal management across Washington State.
The federal funding also includes $1,999,963 for the Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative, a network of local and county governments, Tribes, regional agencies, and other organizations working to build community, economic, and environmental resilience to climate change. This money will help them strengthen local and regional capacity, partner with local groups to increase regional understanding of climate change impacts, and increase staffing and programming support.
Jayapal wrote a letter of support for the Washington State Coastal Climate Resilience Initiative application in early 2024. Jayapal has also been a leader on climate resilience legislation at the federal level, introducing her Climate Resilience Workforce Act in 2023 to make the investments necessary to help the United States both prepare for and respond to the climate crisis.
Issues: Environment