Press Releases

Rep. Salud Carbajal’s bipartisan Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act, H.R. 3541, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today as part of a larger environmental bill package, known as H.R. 729, the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act.

The bill package creates programs to better support the coastal regions that are dealing with the impact of climate change firsthand. Carbajal’s bill, specifically, helps states better identify the threats that climate change poses and gives states resources to help minimize those threats.

“Climate change is real and we cannot wait another minute to tackle the problem from every angle,” said Rep. Carbajal. “My Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act will help communities across the nation, especially ones like our Central Coast, that are vulnerable to climate disasters and need more help on the front lines of this crisis. As we work to turn back the clock on pollution, carbon emissions and environmental harm, we must make sure our homes and families are well-equipped to deal with climate disasters in real time—our package of bills that passed today will help us accomplish that goal. ”

On the Central Coast, the climate threat is ever-present. In San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay conducted a vulnerability assessment that found the city and its infrastructure are susceptible to the threats of rising sea levels, and the City of Santa Barbara expects sea levels to rise by over 6 feet by the end of the century.

Carbajal’s Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act would provide voluntary grants to coastal states in order to help them plan and implement strategies to mitigate climate change, prepare for sea level rise and address other impacts. It also allows states to use these grants for climate change adaptation, and to protect infrastructure and coastal ecosystems. The bipartisan bill is co-led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL). 

Full Carbajal bill text available here.

Full climate bill package is available here.

Rep. Salud Carbajal represents California’s 24th congressional district, encompassing Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and part of Ventura County.